Boyertown grad Develin reflects on post-NFL
Boyertown grad James Develin reflects on journey after NFl retirement
One of James Develin’s toughest decisions was ultimately made for him.
The Boyertown grad’s body told him it was time to leave football.
For months, signs were pointing in this direction. Complications from a neck injury made it too risky to return to the NFL.
Actually retiring, putting those words on the screen for an Instagram announcement, flooded Develin with emotions. Monday was spent feeling reflective and nostalgic.
“The NFL was a great part of my life for 10 years,” Develin told the Reading Eagle Tuesday. “I have a long life ahead of me and a lot of passions to follow through on. Hopefully, I can use my work ethic and drive to provide in whatever the next chapter may be.”
Develin played football for 25 years, from his youth days with the Pottstown Patriots to his Super Bowl days in New England. He was so driven to continue playing, he went to the Arena League and United League to keep hope alive.
Without the injury, Develin, 31, might never have been willing to walk away.
“I don’t know how I could have ever turned it off otherwise,” he said. “It was definitely an easier pill to swallow. I kind of got solace out of the decision knowing that I did it for my own health benefits and for my family with their best interests in mind.”
Life in his first full day of retirement wasn’t much different for Develin, who lives with his wife, Jennifer, and their three children at the Jersey shore.
These are unusual times with no OTAs or training camp workouts scheduled because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Develin woke up, went through his typical workout and then was a dad and husband. It’ll probably feel a little stranger once practices and games resume.
Tributes from some of football’s biggest names followed Develin’s announcement.
Patriots coach Bill Belichick said in a statement, “Any team could be fortunate to have a James Develin-’type’ on its roster but the reality is he is a rarity and we are very fortunate he was a Patriot.”
Former Patriots quarterback Tom Brady said he was lucky to share a huddle with Develin.
Develin isn’t sure exactly what comes next. He has an engineering degree from Brown, where he was a defensive lineman before launching an improbable career as a fullback. He said he’ll most likely stay connected to football in some way.
“I have a calling inside me that says I should give back to the game that gave me so much,” Develin said. “I can foresee myself doing something in the game. Whether it’s coaching or strength coaching or something along those lines. That’s yet to be determined.”
Develin said what he’ll miss most is the camaraderie of the locker room, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with his teammates in pursuit of a common goal.
The Patriots won 12of-14 playoff games with
Develin on the field. They won 3-of-4 Super Bowls in which he appeared.
Although he played two games last season, one of Develin’s final moments was Super Bowl 53 against the Los Angeles Rams. The Patriots, with the help of their bruising fullback, rushed 32 times for 154 yards.
It was a remarkable career, particularly for a player who went undrafted and spent parts of two seasons on the Cincinnati Bengals practice squad before making his NFL debut three years after leaving Brown.
Develin thanked his parents and his coaches along the way for molding him and helping him believe.
“They played an integral part in raising me to be brave enough to follow a dream,” he said. “They provided the motivation and the fire in me to see things through. I truly appreciate it. It has been a wild ride. It has been a helluva journey. The journey continues now.”
The Develins’ three children, James III, William and Adrienne, are ages 4 and younger. They won’t remember the time with the Patriots.
Develin said his older son used to think every football player on TV was his dad.
“It’ll be cool to look back in a couple of years, once they understand everything,” Develin said. “I was so proud as a father to see them run up to me on the field after games. That’ll be a special thing to share with them.”
One day, maybe they’ll watch those old Super Bowls together.
Develin can show his kids what’s possible for someone who dreams big.