Elise Amendola | AP
BOSTON — New England Patriots fullback James Develin is retiring from the NFL because of complications from the neck injury that caused him to miss the final 14 games of last season.
Develin announced his decision in an Instagram message Monday.
“I have decided it is my and my family’s best interest to retire from the game of football,” Develin wrote. “I’ve always maintained a belief that in the sport, the team is much more important than myself as an individual and that belief still rings true, as I have to prioritize my team at home before anything else.