Patriots Fullback James Develin Explains Why He Walked Away From Game

Patriots fullback James Develin won’t join head coach Bill Beichick and his teammates in September. They helped the team win three Super Bowls, but he is not coming back for another title.

The veteran fullback suffered a neck injury and it gave him unexpected complications. During his video conference call on Tuesday, Develin said the injury had “exposed some things that posed a potentially risky situation continuing to play the game of football.”

“When I kind of got the news that I had the situation going on that I had, it was a tough pill to swallow because I wasn’t really prepared for it,” the fulback said. “I had really no prior knowledge of it. The one thing that really shed some clarity in the situation was my wife was there with my daughter. So, it was just an immediate reminder of what is important in life because had they not been there, my sense of manly pride, me trying to be a tough guy, maybe I would have said, ‘I could play through that. I’ll just tough it out.’ But really, it was in the best interest of me, my wife, my three kids. It would be an ignorant thing and a selfish thing to continue to play the game. I did what was best for my family.”

Patriots fullback James Develin had to make a decision

The fullback received the news a few months ago. He had to make a decision. It was hard, but he had to make a step back. He had to do something about himself and his family.

“It was a tough decision, one that took a lot of emotions and time to kind of talk through with my wife and I, but I am at solace with the decision that it was made with my family’s best interest in mind.”

Develin may become a coach in the near future. He wants to stay in New England. They may give him a role in the organization. He has sure earned one. Develin was a selection for the Patriots 2010s All-Decade team. We will have more information on this on Wednesday.

The Patriots signed free agent fullback Danny Vitale. Jakob Johnson is also part of the roster.