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Vince Wilfork Bids Farewell to Fans, Teammates, Organization

By Frank OLaughlin

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Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

One of the greatest New England Patriots of all-time closed the chapter on what was a memorable era of football on Monday.

Vince Wilfork issued one final goodbye to Patriots fans, the Kraft family and members of the organization following his decision to sign a two-year contract with the Houston Texans.

Prior to the opening of NFL free agency, Wilfork announced that the Patriots would not be picking up his option for 2015, thus making him a free agent. Several subsequent reports stated there was still a chance the two sides would be able to reach an agreement, but that ultimately was not the case.

The 11-year veteran defensive tackle made his departure from New England official on Monday, announcing via Twitter that he was moving on to the Texans next season. Wilfork tweeted a heartfelt note after agreeing to the new deal.

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The note read as follows:

“This has been a interesting process for me and my family,” Wilfork wrote, “one we have taken very seriously and given a lot of thought we want to thank the Kraft family and the entire Patriot organization for the last 11 years however we will be starting a new chapter in our lives as Houston Texans … The coaching staff in Houston has made this new exciting transition feel like home to us. We will forever be Patriots in our hearts than you everyone for everything.”

After receiving several tweets from fans wishing him luck, thanks and appreciation for an upstanding tenure with the Patriots, Wilfork issued a series of follow up tweets.

Wilfork said it was a “blessing” to have been able to win a pair of Super Bowls with the Patriots, one as a rookie and one in his final year. He then made it known that the Kraft’s “will always be family” to him and his own.

He then crafted a thought thanking his longtime coach Bill Belichick, the man who showed him everything he now knows about life in the NFL.

Wilfork tweeted, “Thank you Bill for 11 years. I have learned so much. It’s been an amazing run.”

Belichick responded with a statement, praising Wilfork, after learning about his decision to turnover a new leaf in Houston.

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“Few players reached or will ever reach the special level of Vince Wilfork.  He is a great champion and one of the classiest people I have ever been around – just a kind, genuine and giving person who was all about our team, football, winning and bringing joy to others,”Belichick said in the statement.

Belichick went on to say, “He is the best defensive linemen I ever coached, an all-time great Patriot whose place on our team will be missed but whose remarkable career as a Patriot will be remembered forever.”

Having been an anchor on the defensive side of the ball for so many years, Wilfork was well liked by everyone he took the field with. He was sure to acknowledge them.

“My brothers on the field I love you all. I wish you health and success. Changing teams will never change our bonds. We are brothers forever,” he added via Twitter.

Wilfork will forever be loved by his fans, teammates, coaches and superiors. His countless contributions, affable character and hard-working attitude has left an imprint on Patriots history. He’s undoubtedly one of the best to ever take the field at Gillette Stadium. As one could imagine, leaving it all behind was a decision of the upmost difficulty.

“To all the fans this is the hardest choice I have ever had to make. You guys are my back bone and you guys will always be my heart,” Wilfork said in a final tweet.

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