Vince Wilfork Retires

Kliq

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One of my favorite players ever, partly because he was good for a long time, partly because he was a guy that nobody on the street would think of as a great athlete yet there he was on the field every Sunday fighting off a pair of 325lb beasts, one on each arm.
 

InstaFace

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Sep 27, 2016
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That's a great ad. I kinda want to show up to his tailgate now. I bet his wife negotiated a princely sum for the ad spot.

He was still pretty productive in his two years in Houston, but not a lot of D Linemen make it to 35 so I'm sure his body was telling him it was time.
 

thehitcat

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The only Pats Shirt with a name I've ever considered other than 12. Ferocious competitor, funny dude and seemingly a great teammate. Someone I'd like to hang out with someday...and his wife too. She seems hilarious.

God-speed V-Weezy!
 

KiltedFool

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That's funny as hell. I recall seeing pics from a photoshoot he did with his wife with a photographer, just him embracing her in front of some sort of background. Looked so Average Joe, not some overproduced "I Hang With Beyonce" shot. Very much regular folks who just happens to be massively strong.
 

wilked

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Great guy...met him once at his annual charity auction. He provided free tickets for Big Brothers program, so me and my Little went (his sis too). He gave autographs, and I had my Little make him a thank you card ahead of time. He gave it to Vince and Vince was blown away, said he hasn't gotten one of those before and actually spent 3-4 mins talking to my Little. Nice moment.

Photo from that event...you think you know how big Vince is on TV, but when you see him in person - unbelievable

 

Saints Rest

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Great guy...met him once at his annual charity auction. He provided free tickets for Big Brothers program, so me and my Little went (his sis too). He gave autographs, and I had my Little make him a thank you card ahead of time. He gave it to Vince and Vince was blown away, said he hasn't gotten one of those before and actually spent 3-4 mins talking to my Little. Nice moment.

Photo from that event...you think you know how big Vince is on TV, but when you see him in person - unbelievable

Admit it, that's you on the right, isn't it?
 

Norm Siebern

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Great guy...met him once at his annual charity auction. He provided free tickets for Big Brothers program, so me and my Little went (his sis too). He gave autographs, and I had my Little make him a thank you card ahead of time. He gave it to Vince and Vince was blown away, said he hasn't gotten one of those before and actually spent 3-4 mins talking to my Little. Nice moment.

Photo from that event...you think you know how big Vince is on TV, but when you see him in person - unbelievable

Very cool story. Thanks for sharing.
 

Reverend

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This is a man who has his retirement sponsored by Kingsford.

This is a man who has his shit organized.
 

DeJesus Built My Hotrod

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If you are a Pats fan, how can you not love the guy? Kraft appears to love the guy too so its only a matter of time until he signs with the Pats and retires with the right franchise.
 

Ralphwiggum

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My family's season tickets were in the same section that Bianca sat in. She wore a bedazzled Wilfork jersey to every game. It was fucking spectacular. She was also incredibly nice to everyone. I love reading about their relationship and the influence she has had on his career.

Vince is in the Top 5 for me in terms of my personal favorite Patriots. So glad he was on the 2014 team and got bookend rings in his time in New England.

Looking forward to him slimming down and kicking ass in his post-football career.
 

FL4WL3SS

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The only Pats Shirt with a name I've ever considered other than 12. Ferocious competitor, funny dude and seemingly a great teammate. Someone I'd like to hang out with someday...and his wife too. She seems hilarious.

God-speed V-Weezy!
Only Jersey I've EVER owned. Period.

He's my favorite Patriot of all time (with a close shout out to Rodney) and is up there as my favorite athlete of all time.

Will miss you big guy. Please come back and coach for the Patriots.
 

Investor 11

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Jul 23, 2006
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Vince has been and will always be one of my favorites. Followed him since high school as he attended a neighboring school that we played each year. Attended a good chunk of his games at UM. And vividly remember listening to the draft on the radio as the Pats selected him. I hope retirement treats him well.
 

RG33

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Big Vince has spoken on this very topic:


"The last thing I want," says Wilfork, "is to get sick with something I could have changed. When I stop playing, man, I'll be so small you won't even recognize me."

https://www.si.com/vault/2011/01/10/106023353/attack-of-the-space-eaters
I'm really glad to see this, because I was going to comment that I hope he went that route. He was so large, it was just not sustainable for a "regular guy", particularly one closing in on his 40's to be able to last very long. I hope he goes the Nate Newton route (okay, that might be aggressive) and gets a post-football body that will last him another 60 years.

Such a great guy, have never heard anything but wonderful things about him. Good luck in retirement!
 

tims4wins

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I am so glad I am watching this. We all hope that the players we cheer for are good people. Vince seems like #1 on that list.
 

Briz

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Great speech. Really speaks to the man he is. I'll miss you Vince.
 

timelysarcasm

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I'm trying to find one of my favorite Vince Wilfork plays, anyone recall this one: there was a fumble that everyone assumed was a dead ball, and Vince slides over to the ball trying to be nonchalant, picks it up, and runs like hell. Ball turned out to be live, of course.

I'm sorry, I suck and I can't remember much more than that. My sister and I must have watched that clip and laughed a dozen times. If anyone can remember the game, I'd appreciate it!
 

Red Leader

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Aug 2, 2009
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I'm trying to find one of my favorite Vince Wilfork plays, anyone recall this one: there was a fumble that everyone assumed was a dead ball, and Vince slides over to the ball trying to be nonchalant, picks it up, and runs like hell. Ball turned out to be live, of course.

I'm sorry, I suck and I can't remember much more than that. My sister and I must have watched that clip and laughed a dozen times. If anyone can remember the game, I'd appreciate it!
I think that was a playoff game vs. the Jets after the '06 season?
 

edmunddantes

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I'm trying to find one of my favorite Vince Wilfork plays, anyone recall this one: there was a fumble that everyone assumed was a dead ball, and Vince slides over to the ball trying to be nonchalant, picks it up, and runs like hell. Ball turned out to be live, of course.

I'm sorry, I suck and I can't remember much more than that. My sister and I must have watched that clip and laughed a dozen times. If anyone can remember the game, I'd appreciate it!
I think that was a playoff game vs. the Jets after the '06 season?
found the game I think. But not a highlight yet.

http://www.patriots.com/news/2007/01/07/wilfork-pats-run-away-it

Colvin was disappointed he didn’t get an interception on the well-timed play. He took off running, his hands over his facemask in a sign of frustration. But then third-year nose tackle Vince Wilfork noticed something:Read

The football was lying on the ground, unprotected.Read

“It was funny, because [fellow defensive lineman Richard] Seymour was actually - it was hitting his foot - and I’m like, ‘Man, let me get this ball.’ [Seymour] walked right over it. I just saw the ball on the ground, so any time the ball’s on the ground, pick it up. You best pick it up, and that’s what I did,” said Wilfork after the game.
 

Red Leader

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Aug 2, 2009
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Found the whole game on YouTube. "2006 AFC wild card game: Patriots vs. Jets." (No idea how to link, sorry). Play is in the third quarter, around 1:27 into the video.
 

Reverend

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Found the whole game on YouTube. "2006 AFC wild card game: Patriots vs. Jets." (No idea how to link, sorry). Play is in the third quarter, around 1:27 into the video.
Just post the link in its line and the forum software takes care of the embedding automatically.
 

edmunddantes

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Found the whole game on YouTube. "2006 AFC wild card game: Patriots vs. Jets." (No idea how to link, sorry). Play is in the third quarter, around 1:27 into the video.

darn it cut the start at this time information...

go to 1:27:50 almost 1:28
 

( . ) ( . ) and (_!_)

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Is Vince a Hall of Famer?
I'll admit to wearing patriot tinted glasses, but yes he is.

11 years
5 pro bowls
1 first team all pro
3 second team all pro
2 Super Bowls
3 interceptions

The NFL hall of fame selection process has its flaws but I think they also do a decent job of making their decisions on more than just the counting stats.

By nature of his position and what he was asked to do Vince never put up huge, flashy sack numbers. I think the selection committee will understand that and also understand that it's hard to make the all pro teams without flashy counting stats.

Vince had a multi year stretch in the middle of his career where he was simply dominate. There were seasons where you could make an argument that he was the best DL in the NFL for multiple seasons.

To me, all of that points to him belonging in the Hall of Fame

(I included the 3 INTs because it's freaking awesome that he has three INTs)
 

Papelbon's Poutine

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I highly doubt he makes the HoF. There's a glut of an influx of a bottle neck of an over numbered amount of players coming up that are more deserving. If he does, I will gladly tip my hat to the voters, but with the way the system works I don't see it.
 

Kliq

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I think at the very least in 20 years or so the committee will look back at the Patriots run and figure that the team probably has more HOF players than just Brady, Moss, Gronk and Ty Law (definitely forgetting people) and will look at Vince, along with Matt Light, as THE staple player for the first decade or so of dominance. Kind of like how you see all the great dynasties (Packers, Steelers) kind of trickle people into the HOF over the years.
 

Papelbon's Poutine

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I'll admit to wearing patriot tinted glasses, but yes he is.

11 years
5 pro bowls
1 first team all pro
3 second team all pro
2 Super Bowls
3 interceptions

The NFL hall of fame selection process has its flaws but I think they also do a decent job of making their decisions on more than just the counting stats.

By nature of his position and what he was asked to do Vince never put up huge, flashy sack numbers. I think the selection committee will understand that and also understand that it's hard to make the all pro teams without flashy counting stats.

Vince had a multi year stretch in the middle of his career where he was simply dominate. There were seasons where you could make an argument that he was the best DL in the NFL for multiple seasons.

To me, all of that points to him belonging in the Hall of Fame

(I included the 3 INTs because it's freaking awesome that he has three INTs)
Interesting point of debate. Which seasons would those be?
 

Hoya81

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Interesting point of debate. Which seasons would those be?
In terms of stats, 2010-2012 were his best seasons. Started all 48 games, 9.5 sacks, 4 forced fumbles, 7 fumbles recovered, 11 passes defensed and 2 INT. He was especially good in the 2011 playoff run, made several big plays in the AFCCG.
 

Papelbon's Poutine

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In terms of stats, 2010-2012 were his best seasons. Started all 48 games, 9.5 sacks, 4 forced fumbles, 7 fumbles recovered, 11 passes defensed and 2 INT. He was especially good in the 2011 playoff run, made several big plays in the AFCCG.
Right, I can pull up his stats, which don't help much for a NT, I'm wondering which season the poster is arguing he was the best DL in the NFL. That seems a tough hill to climb, as much as I love Vince.
 
Apr 7, 2006
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I love Vince, and I look forward to seeing him in a Patriots HOF red jacket, but I don't believe he will ever be fit for a gold one. I'd think he's lacking, esp as defensive players go, in the resume department when it comes to DPOY awards or even top 3, not to mention the sexy stats, which are typically tough for DTs to rack up.