Patriots safety Devin McCourty announces retirement from NFL

New England Patriots safety Devin McCourty announced his retirement from the NFL in a Friday Instagram post.

"I'm officially retiring from the NFL," McCourty wrote. "It has been a great ride. I've got the opportunity to Mr. (Robert) Kraft, to talk to Bill (Belichick), a lot of the guys on the defensive staff. Unbelievable ride, man. I think it's always tough to kind of come to the end, as you know. 

"This whole offseason has been so much back and forth for me mentally, probably not even sharing as much of the thoughts that I was just going between from one day to the next day. But ultimately, I think this is the best decision for me, my family, for my career, is to be able to now look back now at my 13 years and just enjoy it."

Few defensive players have ever been more impactful for the Patriots than McCourty. New England head coach Bill Belichick, who raved about McCourty's four-down impact when he was selected with the 27th pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, saw something in the rookie out of Rutgers.

"He's fast, he's tough," Belichick said on draft day. "He's a good four-down football player -- first, second, third and fourth down. 

"In the kicking game, he's certainly one of the top guys in the draft in that area."

From the moment he stepped on the field in a 2010 game against the Cincinnati Bengals, it seemed Belichick had read his newest defender flawlessly.

In 13 seasons with the Patriots, the 35-year-old defensive back earned two Pro Bowl selections and three Super Bowl rings. He switched from cornerback to safety in 2012.

Many have tried for the Patriots. Few have built themselves up like McCourty. There will be more legendary players on the team's defense as the years roll by, but it will take a long time before there will be another Devin McCourty.