On March 10th, Devin McCourty retired from the New England Patriots. In an incredible run, the team captain is finally hanging up the cleats after 13 seasons.
All about the journey ❤️💙@devinmccourty | @JasonMcCourty pic.twitter.com/PNcCjWYnsS
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) March 10, 2023
Devin McCourty was always a constant among many other steadfast players to be on the Patriots. Patriots fans and football fans alike will remember him as an amazing player. In the wake of his recent retirement, let’s take a look back at some of Devin McCourty’s best moments.
Pre-game speeches
McCourty was known for his intense pre-game speeches. These will go down in Patriots history as some of the best pump-up, pep talks ever.
Devin McCourty's pregame speeches were LEGENDARY 🔊
— NFL Films (@NFLFilms) March 10, 2023
Heart and soul of a @Patriots dynasty pic.twitter.com/ec2Z9CqFVM
84-yard pick-six
McCourty picked off the Buffalo Bills and ran it back 84 yards for a touchdown in 2018.
His bond with his teammates and organization is unmatched
McCourty has a tight-knit bond with his teammates and coaches. Some of his teammates have been with him from the start of his career, including having his twin brother Jason on the Patriots for two years.
With retirement rumors floating about, David Andrews was a teammate who was choked up when asked what McCourty [and Matthew Slater] meant to him at the end of the 2022 season.
How much do Matthew Slater and Devin McCourty mean to David Andrews?
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) January 8, 2023
This emotional moment in Andrews’ post-game news conference reflects it. pic.twitter.com/LyfOjZ7Ju9
Special teams captain, Matthew Slater, was trying to convince McCourty to come back for one more season. Slater announced he was returning for a 16th season, which quite possibly could be his final season, and he didn’t want to do it alone. Both players are Patriots’ veterans, and there was much speculation on who was returning in 2023.
"He texts me and goes, 'Hey, I just talked to Bill. I'm going back. Don't make me do this alone.' "
— Zack Cox (@ZackCoxNESN) February 27, 2023
Since deciding to return to the Patriots, Matthew Slater has been urging Devin McCourty to do the same. https://t.co/rrrAQlZR7h pic.twitter.com/V7v0TKPDXJ
The impact #32 had on his teammates was one that will last a lifetime.
A legendary career
Devin McCourty is a 3x Super Bowl Champion, 3x All-Pro and 2x Pro Bowler. He tallied 35 career interceptions, had 907 tackles and was one of the team’s captains for 12 straight years. He only missed a total of five games during his 13 seasons with the Patriots and became the fourth defensive back in NFL history to have 200 starts with a single-team. Devin McCourty was an extraordinary player with an amazing work-ethic.
Bill Belichick on Matthew Slater and Devin McCourty:
— Alexandra Francisco (@ByAlFrancisco) January 1, 2023
"What those two guys mean to this organization, what they mean to me personally, what they've done here, it's pretty impressive."
The Patriots are entering a new generation and learning how to rebuild after all of their greats beginning to enter into retirement. It’s time for the torch to be passed, and McCourty is certain that the Patriots will continue to climb the ladder.