FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Houston Texans nose tackle Vince Wilfork said he thinks he might retire after Saturday night’s 34-16 playoff loss to the New England Patriots .
«I think I have played my last NFL football game,» Wilfork said. «I will take the time and do my due diligence and sit back and see if I really want to retire. We’ll see. I don’t know how long that will take.
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«It doesn’t change the fact that I enjoyed every bit of my career. I enjoyed 11 great years in New England and enjoyed two great years in Texas with unbelievable teammates. »
In the week before the Texans’ first-round playoff game against the Oakland Raiders , Wilfork said he was considering retirement after the season for the first time in his career.
Wilfork, 35, has made five Pro Bowls in his 13-year career and was a first-team All-Pro in 2012. He said earlier in the month that he realizes it will be a tough decision to make because he knows he can still play.
«One thing I know is that I love this game,» Wilfork said in early January. «One of the hardest pills to swallow [is] to leave something that you love. It’s tough. It’s got to be tough. Because [it’s not like] I’m walking out banged out or I don’t have nothing left in the tank. «