Vince Wilfork retires -- in charcoal commercial?
Vince Wilfork on Jan. 10, 2017
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (FOX 26) - Defensive tackle Vince Wilfork has announced his retirement from the Houston Texans and the NFL as part of a Kingsford Products Company advertising campaign.
Wilfork signed with the Texans as an unrestricted free agent in March 2015. Before that, he played the majority of his career, 11 seasons, with the New England Patriots, earning two Super Bowl rings in the process.
On both his Twitter and Facebook accounts, Wilfork posted a video showing him un-taping his ankles, hanging up his cleats and grabbing grilling tongs. The video then shows the 35-year-old defender dancing, cooking ribs and smoking a cigar while wearing his trademark overalls.
"No more cleats," says Wilfork in the commercial. "I'm moving on to smoke meats, fellas. Peace out. I'm outta here. Later."
The video ends by noting that "Vince's Farewell Tailgate" will take place Sept. 7 in New England. The defending Super Bowl champions open the season that Thursday night against Kansas City.
Wilfork said earlier during the summer that he was contemplating retirement after the Texans declined to offer him a new contract. He was drafted by the Patriots in 2004 and anchored that team's defensive line. He was named to five Pro Bowls.
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The Associated Press contributed to this report.