Patriots Teammates Honor Jerod Mayo With Praise Following Retirement Announcement
BOSTON (CBS) -- Ever since he was drafted by the Patriots in the first round of the 2008 draft, Jerod Mayo has been embraced by the Patriots and their fans.
Always a well-respected voice in the locker room, Mayo quickly rose into a leadership position. And even though his final three seasons ended with injuries, he remained a constant presence around the team during his rehab.
So it was no surprise, then, to see Mayo's teammates react to the news that he'll be retiring from the sport of football at age 29.
Inside linebacker Dont'a Hightower, who's grown into Mayo's replacement over the past two years, said he's always looked up to Mayo, even before they were teammates.
Safety Devin McCourty, who was drafted two years after Mayo and became defensive co-captains with him, called Mayo "one of the greatest Patriots to lace the cleats up."
Fellow linebacker Jamie Collins showed appreciation for all that Mayo taught him.
Chandler Jones' message was simple: Legend.
Receiver Julian Edelman went with a serious message but a light-hearted photo.
Rob Ninkovich worked side-by-side with Mayo since 2009, which he called a privilege.
Danny Amendola showed his appreciation for Mayo's toughness.
Vince Wilfork proved in his Instagram post that even though he's a member of the Houston Texans, he'll always be a New England Patriot. "You name it we done it and we will continue to do it cuz we are family. That's something no one can take from us," Wilfork wrote.
And though head coach Bill Belichick is not a fan of "MyFace" or "InstantFace," his words from last July remain on the record.
"Jerod has always tried to do everything he can to help the team. He's always done that, on the field, off the field," Belichick said last July. "We all have a responsibility to do our job and he does a great job with that. He's always tried to do whatever we've asked him or whatever he feels like he can do to help the team and whatever area that is – on the field, off the field, in the weight room, offseason training – whatever it is."
Belichick was even more glowing of Mayo in the summer of 2014.
"I think he means a lot to our team," Belichick said. "He's, I'd say, really the guy that the team probably revolves around more than any other player. Not that there aren't other players that are instrumental in that but I think he touches pretty much everybody, not just the defensive players but all the guys; not just the older guys but the younger guys. Even when he was captain his second year, he had a relationship with the older guys. Now he's a more veteran player but he's still pretty attached to the younger guys like Jamie Collins, Hightower, guys like that, in addition to guys not at his position. He's got great work ethic, great presence on the football field and great personality that's, I'd say, in a very good way professional but also has a good rapport with all the players and the coaches. I think he's as well respected as any player in the locker room. I'd say one of the best overall team leaders, players, kind of a glue chemistry guy I'd say that I've been around."
Considering the source, there might be no higher praise possible for a football player to receive.
