New England Patriots’ safety announces he is leaving the NFL after 13 seasons and three Super Bowls
Devin McCourty retiring from NFL
One of the best safeties in the league announced he is leaving football. Devin McCourty is retiring from the NFL this Friday (10) after 13 seasons with the New England Patriots. During that time he played in five Super Bowls and won three of them (XLIX, LI and LIII).
Before officializing his decision, McCourty spoke with a lot of people in the organization. According to his retirement announcement, in a video he posted on his social media, he spoke with Patriots owner Robert Kraft, head coach Bill Belichick and some of the defensive coaching staff.
“I’m officially retiring from the NFL. It has been a great ride. I think it’s always tough to come to the end. This whole offseason has been so much back-and-forth for me mentally, but ultimately I think this is the best decision for me, for my family, and my career”, said McCourty on the video.
McCourty, 35, retires as the defensive back with the most playoff games in the league, with 24 appearances. He recorded 119 tackles and two interceptions in those games. He began his career as a cornerback and moved to safety in 2012, to cover all the roster injuries in that position, but it turned out to be a permanent decision later on.
Devin McCourty’s career
The now-former Patriots player entered the league in 2010, when New England drafted him in the first round, with the 27th overall pick. He never left the franchise and retires as the fifth player with more regular season games for the franchise, with 205. With the 24 in the playoffs, he played a total of 229 games in his career.
In the regular season, McCourty has 971 tackles (740 solo + 231 assisted), three sacks, 12 forced fumbles, seven recovered fumbles and 35 interceptions. He scored two touchdowns. In the playoffs, he has also 119 tackles (92 solo + 27 assisted) and another two INT.
