Wilfork nose it’s time to move on
FOXBORO — Vince Wilfork is on to cooking smoked meats.
The former Patriots defensive lineman announced his retirement as an NFL player on Twitter yesterday following 13 seasons in the league, 11 of which were with the Pats.
“No more cleats, I’m moving on to smoked meats, fellas,” Wilfork said in a video sponsored by the Kingsford charcoal company. “Peace out. I’m outta here. Later.”
His retirement video says Wilfork will host a tailgate at Gillette Stadium before the Pats season opener on Sept. 7.
Wilfork played 13 NFL seasons, including the last two in Houston. He said earlier this summer he was contemplating retirement after the Texans declined to offer him a new contract.
Wilfork was selected by the Pats in the 2004 draft and went on to anchor the team’s defense as a nose tackle and defensive tackle through the 2014 season. He was named to five Pro Bowls and helped the Pats win two Super Bowls.
Wilfork projects as a player who could earn consideration for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and is certainly a strong candidate for the Patriots Hall of Fame when he’s eligible in 2021.
He played 189 regularseason games, including 158 with the Pats. His final game was last January’s playoff loss to the Pats in Foxboro.
Wilfork finished his career with 559 tackles, 26 passes defensed, 16 sacks, four forced fumbles and three interceptions.