Vince Wilfork isn't sure what he might want to do when he retires from football.
The larger-than-life defensive tackle isn't ruling anything out, with one exception.
"There's a lot of things I would do," Wilfork said Monday. "I have a lot of different options. I like a lot of stuff. I'll tell you one thing that I'm not going to do is coach. I can guarantee you that one. But I don't see myself far away from the game just because of the passion I have and the relationships I had over my career, the coaches and the players that I've met."
Wilfork is looking forward to the days of finally sleeping in when he's finished playing the game. He'll be done with the days of early-morning wake-ups after long days of practices and meetings.
For now, the 13-year-veteran is happy to wake up before sunrise, as a player.
As a five-time Pro Bowler, Wilfork complements what the coaches are teaching. He mentors younger players in the same way that his father and the veteran players before him showed him how to be a professional, both on and off the field. From players like Willie McGinest and Tedy Bruschi, Rodney Harrison and Richard Seymour during his time in New England to teammates like Ed Reed and Reggie Wayne at the University of Miami, Wilfork learned the game from the best at a young age.
He hopes to do the same for the next generation. Just not as a coach.
"This is my life," Wilfork said. "Football has been my life for over twenty years now. This is what I know. That's one thing I do know is football. That's why I don't think I'll be too far removed from it. But it's definitely not coaching. I don't care if it's Pop Warner with my kids, my youngest growing up or high school or college, going to see different schools. I don't know. Like I said, only time will tell. I'm in no rush."
Defensive lineman Vince Wilfork's NFL career is chronicled.
