Texans defensive tackle Vince Wilfork will turn 35 this season, and for a man his size (listed at 325 pounds, probably heavier) the pounding of all those years in the NFL has to take its toll.
Wilfork, however, says he doesn’t see any reason he should retire this year or next year.
“I feel good,” Wilfork told the Houston Chronicle. “I said until I feel like I can’t perform at a certain level or my body can’t take it, or I’m mentally not there anymore, it’ll be time for me to hang it up. But I think I have a couple more good years in me. I think, mentally, it’ll go before my body will. It’s just the amount of stress over the years you’ve been in the game. To play this game, you have to be mentally there. If you’re not mentally there, I don’t care who you are. You won’t make it.”
When the Patriots cut Wilfork last year, it suggested that the end might be near. But Wilfork started all 16 games for the Texans last season and is slated to start again this year. He doesn’t look like he’s near the end.