Patriots David Andrews wipes away tears during NFL retirement speech in emotional scene

Former Patriots center David Andrews bid an emotional farewell Monday to the sport and team he loved.The two-time Super Bowl champion wiped away tears while speaking at his retirement ceremony at Gillette Stadium after calling it a career last week at the age of 32.“I wrote this down, so I’m going to try to get through it,” Andrews began before pausing to collect himself.

“… When I knew this day was coming, I was thinking about what I wanted to say.As you can see, there’s a lot of emotions.

The one that kept sticking out to me was gratitude.”An undrafted free agent out of Georgia, Andrews signed with the Patriots in 2015 and spent all 10 seasons of his NFL career in New England, winning two championships during the 2016 and 2018 seasons while snapping the ball to then-quarterback Tom Brady.Named the starting center for the Patriots in his rookie season, Andrews became a leader in the locker room upon being elected team captain for eight seasons.Andrews appeared in four games last season due to injury.He was released by the club in March, a decision that “shocked” him.“You’re a little shocked by it,” Andrews said on his “Quick Snap” podcast.

“But … I’ve been so blessed.I’ve had 10 years and never got fired.

I was living a pipe dream that I would hopefully make the decision myself.”Although Andrews could have worked out for another team after his release, he stated it was never an option for him. “I didn’t want to go do it for another organization,” Andrews told ESPN’s Mike Reiss.“That wasn’t what I had in mind to finish my career.

I wanted to finish it here, and I did.”Andrews, who hails from Johns Creek, Ga.and began playing football at the age of 6-years-old, started 121 games for the Patriots.During Monday’s ceremony, Patriots owner Robert Kraft spoke about Andrew’s early impact as a member of the team.

“(Andrews was) just a young man with a big heart, a relentless work ethic, and a love for the gam...