Boyertown grad native Develin retires as 3-time Super Bowl champ
James Develin’s long and winding football journey reached the finish line Monday.
The Gilbertsville native and 2006 Boyertown graduate who became a threetime Super Bowl champion and fixture in the New England Patriots’ backfield retired Monday, announcing his decision in an Instagram post.
“Honestly, in my 25 years of playing the game of football I never once thought this day would come,” Develin wrote. “Not only because I never lent my mind to the thought of me not playing football, but just because of how slim the chances truly were of me realizing my football dreams. My whole football career has been a million to one shot, so to sit here today and even have the ability to write these words I feel INCREDIBLY lucky and blessed to have been able to pursue a dream I’ve had since I was a boy.”
The 31-year-old suffered a season-ending neck injury in Week 2 of the 2019 season that ultimately factored into his decision, citing “unforeseen complications.”
“I have decided it is both in my and my family’s best interest to retire from the game of football,” Develin wrote. “I’ve always maintained a belief that in the sport, the team is MUCH more important than myself as an individual ... and that belief still rings true, as I have to prioritize my team at home before anything else.”
An Ivy League defensive lineman standout at Brown, Develin’s remarkable road to the NFL went through the Arena Football League, United Football League and practice squads of the Cincinnati Bengals and Patriots before joining the New England roster in 2012. Develin appeared in 83 games with 31 starts at fullback.
Develin was a Pro Bowl selection in 2017 and made the marginalized fullback position a mainstay in the Patriots’ backfield alongside future Hall of Fame quarterback Tom Brady.
Develin won three Super Bowls — defeating Seattle 28-24 in XLIX, Atlanta 34-28 in overtime in Super Bowl LI, and the Los Angeles Rams 13-3 in Super Bowl LIII — and appeared in four, including the 41-33 loss to the Eagles in Super Bowl LII.
“Thank you to all my coaches and teammates over my 25 years in the sport,” Develin wrote. “Each one of you helped develop not only my play but my growth as a man off the field. The lessons I’ve learned from the experience we’ve shared will stay with me for the rest of my life. The games and championships we’ve won together will last in the history books, but the journey we shared to get there is what will forever last with me. I will always cherish the personal relationships I’ve built with my coaches and teammates and I can only imagine that’s what I’ll miss most.”
It was a full circle experience for the son of Jim and Donna Develin, whose football career began as a member of the Pottstown Patriots.
“Thank you to all my family and friend who’ve shared this journey with me. Your support mean more to me than you may ever know. Many times throughout my journey, your support was all I had,” Develin wrote. “A special thank you to my parents and sister. You introduced me to this game and you supported my dream no matter how dire the outlook. Thank you for shaping me into a man that was brave enough to follow a dream.”