Patriots defensive tackle Armond Armstead has announced his retirement, according to an article on the team’s website. The 23-year-old has battled an assortment of conditions throughout his career, resulting in him missing the entire 2013 season.
Coach Bill Belichick released a statement:
“It has been a pleasure being around Armond, as he gave everything he could to play for us. Armond worked extremely hard since joining us last February. He’s had a lot of adversity personally that he’s had to deal with – unusual compared to most other players – but he’s always had a great attitude, worked hard and really did everything we asked him to do. While it is unfortunate he will not be able to play football, Armond is an outstanding young man who has a very bright future in whatever path he chooses.”
Armstead played three seasons with the USC Trojans, compiling 59 tackles and four sacks in 17 starts. The school’s staff would not medically clear him for the 2011 season, resulting in the player suing the school. Armstead claimed that a prescribed painkiller caused a heart attack.
After going undrafted in 2012, Armstead signed with the Toronto Argonauts of the CFL. He was named to the league’s All-Star game after finishing with 43 tackles and six sacks. In early 2013, the Patriots inked the defensive lineman to a three-year deal. Prior to the 2013 season, he was placed on the reserve/non-football injury list. Belichick said that the player had undergone surgery to treat an infection but believed it had nothing to do with his previous heart ailment (via Shalise Manza Young of The Boston Globe).