David Andrews Announces A Return To Football In 2020, Shares Health Update

Robert Alvarez

4 years ago at 3:56 pm ET

Greg M. Cooper - USA TODAY Sports

While night one of the 2020 NFL Draft generated little excitement for Patriots fans, they did receive some good news courtesy of center David Andrews.

Andrews, who sat out the 2019 season due to a pulmonary embolism (blood clots) in his lungs, announced that he has been medically cleared to return to the football field in 2020.

Andrews released the following statement via Instagram;

“I know 2020 has affected everyone in ways we couldn’t have imagined prior. But with the draft over the next few days a lot of dreams are gonna be realized for a lot of players entering the league. During this time there has been a lot of time for reflection on the past, present and future. As to the future I’m excited that I’ll have the opportunity to play the game I love again. When and whatever the nfl season looks like I’m just thankful that I’ll be able to get back to competing with my teammates and coaches. Go pats”

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I know 2020 has affected everyone in ways we couldn’t have imagined prior. But with the draft over the next few days a lot of dreams are gonna be realized for a lot of players entering the league. During this time there has been a lot of time for reflection on the past, present and future. As to the future I’m excited that I’ll have the opportunity to play the game I love again. When and whatever the nfl season looks like I’m just thankful that I’ll be able to get back to competing with my teammates and coaches. Go pats

A post shared by David Andrews (@bear_6060) on Apr 23, 2020 at 4:25pm PDT

In a conference call with reporters Thursday night, Patriots director of player personnel Nick Caserio praised Andrew’s perseverance and assistance to the team in 2019.

“David has been a great asset to our program,” Casiero said. “Nobody worked harder in his capacity and role, even last year when he wasn’t playing. The more players and people we have like David Andrews in our building, the better for the Patriots.”

Andrews signed with the Patriots as an undrafted free agent out of Georgia in 2015.

According to ESPN Boston’s Mike Reiss, Andrews has played in 60 regular-season games (57 starts), in addition to 11 playoff games (nine starts). He was named a team captain on three occasions and contributed to two Super Bowl titles.

The addition of Andrews back on an already strong offensive line should be a big boost for the new quarterback under center in 2020.

A few teammates later expressed their excitement in the Instagram post comments.