David Andrews spent his entire career playing center for the New England Patriots.
The longtime captain officially announced his retirement from the NFL on Monday, closing an era that protected Patriots quarterbacks, spanning across 124 games.
That’s precisely how Patriots chairman and CEO Robert Kraft will remember the undrafted Georgia Bulldog.
“David Andrews has been the heart and soul of our offensive line for the past decade and helped us achieve two Super Bowl championships,” Kraft wrote in a statement, provided by the team. “David’s leadership, work ethic, and dedication to the team earned the respect and admiration from his coaches, teammates, and fans. We are deeply grateful for everything he has given to this organization, both on and off the field. We know his impact on this franchise will be felt for years to come. We wish David and his family all the best in all his future endeavors.”
Andrews relayed a message of his own during his retirement press conference at Gillette Stadium.
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“To Mr. Kraft and your family, it’s been an honor to represent your family and brand, on and off this field,” Andrews said, per team-provided video. “It’s been more of an honor to get to know you and your whole family. Getting to work for what I believe is the best organization in pro sports has truly been a dream come true.”
He started in 121 and played in 12 postseason games with 10 starts, including three straight Super Bowls from 2016-2018. The Patriots captured the Lombardi Trophy in Super Bowl LI and LIII with Andrews protecting New England legend Tom Brady.