Former Patriots center David Andrews was overcome with emotion during his retirement ceremony at Gillette Stadium.
Former Patriots center David Andrews was overcome with emotion during his retirement ceremony at Gillette Stadium.Danielle Parhizkaran/Globe Staff
FOXBOROUGH — Before he even started his remarks from inside the GP Atrium Monday afternoon, David Andrews had to pause to try to stop the tears from falling.
“I wrote this down, so I’m going to try to get through it,” he said.
The moment was understandably emotional for Andrews, a longtime Patriots center and captain who had returned to Gillette Stadium to formally announce his retirement. The 32-year-old spent his 10-year career in New England, prior to his unexpected release in March.
Once Andrews started his speech, he still ended up pausing on multiple occasions as he wiped his watery eyes and thanked all who had contributed to his journey from undrafted rookie to two-time Super Bowl champion.
“Playing O-line since I was 6 years old, you learn very quickly that it’s not about you, but it’s about the team,” Andrews said. “For my whole career, I have been surrounded by the best team anyone could ask for, so today I’d like to show my gratitude to those that helped me.”
Among those Andrews mentioned besides Patriots owner Robert Kraft, were his wife Mackenzie, sons Ford and Worth, and parents Jeff and Patricia — all of whom had a front-row seat for the ceremony. Andrews also thanked his teammates and coaches from every level of football, specifically shouting out former Patriots coach Bill Belichick.
Andrews was most emotional when thanking his wife and “most important teammate” Mackenzie. The couple met as students at the University of Georgia.
“When we started dating 12 years ago, I don’t think either one of us could have imagined this is where we’d end up,” Andrews said. “You’ve loved and cared for me in more ways than I could have ever imagined. You gave up your life and your dreams to join me on this crazy ride, even if I got benched a couple of weeks after you got here.
“Through the ups and downs, hospital stays, you’ve always been at my side. You’ve always looked out for me and my best interests, even when I was too stubborn to do so. I truly can’t put into words what you’ve meant to me and the support you’ve given me. You’ve sacrificed so much, and, a lot of times, other people got the best of me and you got the worst.
“You understood that football came first for me, even when it probably shouldn’t have. I love you and there’s no one else I’d rather share this journey with.”
Amid the tears and heavy emotions, though, it was an afternoon of celebration. The team showed a video montage featuring highlights from Andrews’s decorated career and flattering quotes from Belichick, Kraft, former offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia, and former quarterback Tom Brady.
“He’s just a really, really good football player,” Scarnecchia said. “An incredibly reliable guy, a great team leader, and a guy that you just want to have in your room or have in the middle of the line as a center because you know things are going pretty well if you do.”
Andrews will be remembered as an all-time Patriot not only for his inspirational rise from undrafted rookie to starting center, but for his team-first attitude as a multi-year captain.
“Teammates made him team captain,” Scarnecchia said. “That says a lot.”
The support for Andrews was apparent by Monday’s turnout, with fellow offensive linemen Cole Strange and Mike Onwenu, quarterback Drake Maye, tight end Hunter Henry, punter Bryce Baringer, and running back Rhamondre Stevenson staying after practice to attend. Former Patriots Rob Ninkovich and James Develin also made the trip.
The list of former teammates who sent congratulations via video was extensive. Brady taped a message, as well as Joe Thuney, Shaq Mason, Nate Solder, Marcus Cannon, Julian Edelman, Rob Gronkowski, James White, Jarrett Stidham, A.J. Derby, Matthew Slater, Devin McCourty, Jason McCourty, Duron Harmon, Lawrence Guy, Trey Flowers, and Brian Hoyer.
“You couldn’t have had a better career,” Brady said. “You were not only a great teammate but you were a champion playing that center position for our team all those years. As you know, the heart and soul of any great team is the offensive line. You were the leader. You were right in the middle.”
Added Slater, “You think about all of the things that we accomplished, it wouldn’t have happened without you.”
Andrews said he still had the desire to play, but decided he didn’t want to suit up for any other organization.
“I wanted to finish it here, and I did,” he said.
As for what’s next? Coaching isn’t on the table, but Andrews didn’t rule it out for the future. For now, he’ll spend time with family and improving his golf game. He also hosts a podcast, “Quick Snap”, with Hoyer.
“I’ve got these two young boys,” Andrews said. “Being around them, carpooling them around, and doing whatever needs to be done is kind of my main focus now — spending time with them and my wife and doing things that I probably didn’t allow us to do during football.”
Nicole Yang can be reached at nicole.yang@globe.com.Follow her @nicolecyang.