The professional football career of defensive tackle Vince Wilfork has come full circle today.
Wilfork signed a one-day contract so that he could retire as a member of the New England Patriots, the team he spent the majority of his career wreaking havoc for.
Wilform who played for the Patriots from 2004 to 2014, spent the 2015 and 2016 seasons with the Houston Texans
In an emotional press conference Wilfork reflected on his 13-year NFL career.
“My parents didn’t get a chance to see their son live out a dream he told them at the age of 4 I was going to be,” Wilfork said in a ceremony attended by players, coaches and owners Robert and Jonathan Kraft (h/t ESPN).
“Physically it hurt every day. It hurt by the hour. Daily. Not a minute [went] by, but I know they had the best seat in the house.”
Patriots head coach Bill Belichick said Wilfork is one of the best two-gapping defensive linemen to ever play the game.
Wilfork, 35, had 559 tackles, 16 sacks, four forced fumbles and three interceptions in 189 regular-season games.