Patrick Chung announces his retirement with emotional message

New England Patriots safety Patrick Chung announced his retirement on Thursday in an emotional message.

He took to Instagram to announce his decision after amassing 778 tackles,  56 pass breakups, 11 interceptions, 4.5 sacks and one touchdown during his 11 years in the NFL. He also won three Super Bowls in New England (XLIX, LI, LIII).

“I want to say thank you to the Patriots organization, my family, my fans, coaches, just everyone,” Chung wrote. “I’m in tears writing this but I’ve decided to hang up the cleats. Bill, Mr. Kraft (mean mug) thank you for giving me the opportunity to play for your team for 11 years. I love you.

“Bill for teaching me life on and off the field, I will not forget that. To my teammates, trainers, (equipment) team, video guys, meal room employees, janitors, etc. I love you guys and ladies. Thank you for being the rock to the organization. For cleaning up, feeding, taking care of me for 11 years. But it’s time to start a new life. Patriot until I die!!! Love you all.”

The Patriots drafted Chung in the second round out of Oregon in 2009, and he played in New England for every season of his career except 2013, which he spent with the Eagles.

It was abundantly clear Bill Belichick loved coaching Chung.

“[He’ll play] anywhere. I mean, not on the interior line,” Belichick said on a Friday in Sept. 2018 with a laugh. “He can go hard all day. He’s a very, very well conditioned athlete with good playing strength, good instincts, good toughness. He’s just a very versatile guy.

“Guys that come to mind are [safety Rodney] Harrison, [linebacker Mike] Vrabel,” Belichick said. “They’re just kind of out there on [practically] every play, whether it’s their period or someone else’s period.”