Vince Wilfork announced on Monday that he has agreed to sign with the Houston Texans, ending his 11-year career with the New England Patriots.
Wilfork was the only player remaining on the Patriots aside from Tom Brady who had been with the team for all four of its championships. He was a rookie the first time the Patriots won the Super Bowl and won it in what turned out to be his last season with the team last month.
The 33-year-old thanked Patriots fans, owner Robert Kraft and head coach Bill Belichick in a series of tweets.
Thank you everyone for everything your support has been tremendous pic.twitter.com/Kej0MsI6yB
— Vince Wilfork (@wilfork75) March 16, 2015
To win a Super Bowl my rookie year as a Pat and win another 1 my last year as a Patriot is such a blessing I couldn't write a better ending
— Vince Wilfork (@wilfork75) March 16, 2015
The Kraft family will always B family frm every son their wives &grandkids NFL brings people together real relationships keep them together
— Vince Wilfork (@wilfork75) March 16, 2015
Thank you Bill for 11 years I have learned so much it's been an amazing run you your kids Linda we are always family
— Vince Wilfork (@wilfork75) March 16, 2015
My brothers on the field I love you all I wish you success & health changing teams will never change our bonds we are brothers forever
— Vince Wilfork (@wilfork75) March 16, 2015
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
— Vince Wilfork (@wilfork75) March 16, 2015
Wilfork, a five-time Pro Bowler, will be reunited with former Patriots coaches Bill O’Brien and Romeo Crennel in Houston. He should be a tremendous addition to a young Texans team — particularly in the locker room.
