New England Patriots first-year defensive lineman Armond Armstead announced his retirement Wednesday.
The 23-year-old battled an assortment of conditions throughout his career. An infection before the start of 2013 training camp ultimately landed him on season-ending injured reserve. He never played a game with the team.
Armstead suffered a heart attack while at USC in 2011, costing him his senior season. He was not selected in the NFL Draft the next year and ended up playing one season for the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League, where he was named an All-Star team while amassing 43 tackles and six sacks. He helped Toronto win the Grey Cup. He started in 24 games at USC from 2008 through 2010.
Armstead signed with the Patriots on Feb. 1, 2013. The 6-foot-5, 305-pounder was placed on the reserve/non-football injury list on Aug. 26, 2013.
“It has been a pleasure being around Armond, as he gave everything he could to play for us,” Patriots coach Bill Belichick said in a statement. “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.”