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Devin McCourty ended his 13-season career in the NFL when he announced retirement on Friday. The 35-year-old safety spent his entire career in the league with the New England Patriots, where he made noteworthy contributions to the franchise.
His retirement marks a significant end to an era for the Patriots, who would have a bit of a difficult time replacing him. McCourty's athletic and leadership contributions to the franchise are non-comparable and his exit will leave a void in the Patriots franchise and the NFL for years to come.
McCourty NFL career roundup
McCourty played 13 seasons with the Patriots in his illustrious career. The safety was drafted in 2010 as the 27th overall pick from the Rutgers Scarlet Knight football program. Adaptation to life in the NFL went smoothly as he became a crucial player for the Patriots in his first season.
Starting with an intriguing rookie season, McCourty will go on to be a key player for the Patriots over several seasons. He was made the defensive captain in 2011 and he continued to lead the Patriots' team to several honors, making significant impacts all-round.
McCourty ended his NFL career with total tackles of 971 and 3.0 sacks. He also made 110 pass deflections and 35 interceptions. He won three Super Bowls with the Patriots, which included the historic comeback against the Atlanta Falcons, and was a two-time Pro Bowler.
McCourty’s unmatched leadership qualities
McCourty has played crucial leadership roles for the Patriots team on and off the field of play. He is known for his consistency and versatility on the field of play and his zeal to continuously demand the same from his fellow players, contributing massively to the team's success.
His leadership on the football field is characterized by his intelligence and work ethic. He commands a huge level of respect from other players in his team and the entire NFL for his ability to lead by example. McCourty's leadership was crucial in overcoming several ups and downs encountered by the Patriots over the years.
McCourty is also known for his advocacy work and commitment to social justice off the field. He was one of the 12 governing members of the Player Coalition, a group of athletes that works to improve social justice and racial equality in American sports. He has shown immense support for education initiatives working to promote literacy in underserved communities.
Devin McCourty's leadership skills in the NFL are one that will continue to hold great influence even in his retirement. He will be remembered as a fierce fighter on the field of play and a passionate leader who is capable of instilling a winning mentality in his team.
