Due to “unforeseen complications” of an injury he suffered last season, Patriots fullback James Devlin announced his retirement on Monday afternoon.
The 31-year-old shared his retirement with the NFL world via Instagram with a lengthy farewell post.
“Due to unforeseen complications with the injury that ended my season last year, I have decided it is both in my and my family’s best interest to retire from the game of football,” Devlin said, “I have to prioritize my team at home before anything else.”
Devlin suffered a neck injury last season in the Patriots’ week two match-up against the Dolphins. The damage sent the fullback to injury reserve. To make matters worse, it kept him off the field for the remainder of the season. Now, the injury has abruptly capped off Devlin’s NFL career.
Patriots FB James Develin has announced he is retiring from the NFL. An incredible journey from playing on the defensive line in college at Brown, playing in the UFL and then the AFL before eventually becoming a Pro Bowl FB in the NFL. Always a highly-respected teammate too.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) April 27, 2020
Devlin began his NFL career after being signed to the Cincinnati Bengals practice squad in late 2010. After roughly two years of being released an resigned by the Bengals, the Patriots signed the fullback to their practice squad in 2012. The Patriots then promoted Devlin to the 53-man roster in 2013.
In his seven years with the Patriots, Devlin has been an effective run blocker and goal line brute. As a result, the fullback earned himself a Pro-Bowl in 2017.
After a rather productive career as a fullback, Devlin is retiring as a three-time Super Bowl champion. Injury may have caused a sudden halt to Devlin’s time with football, but he has accomplished more than the average NFL player.
Featured Image Credit: Pats Pulpit
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