If you are a Pats fan, we have been lucky enough to have countless incredible players walk through Foxboro Stadium and Gillette Stadium in the last 15 years but Faulk will always rank high on that list for a few immeasurable qualities: being a winner, versatility, making clutch plays, dependability and getting the most out of his talent.
A second-round pick (46th overall) out of LSU by New England in 1999, Faulk quickly established himself and hung around long enough to win three Super Bowl rings while also being on teams that lost two others (he was on the roster but didn't suit up in February vs. the Giants). He retires as the Patriots' all-time leader in all-purpose yards (12,349) and return yards (5041). His best two seasons were 2000 (570 yards rushing, 4 TDs; 465 yards receiving, TD; 816 kick return yards) and 2003 (638 yards rushing, 440 yards receiving). For his career, he scored 33 touchdowns (16 rushing, 15 receiving, 2 kickoff returns).
After tearing his ACL two games into 2010, Faulk worked diligently to return last season but he only appeared in seven games. He was a free agent last offseason but he only wanted to return to New England. When the summer came and went with him still sitting on his couch, we could all read the writing on the wall.
In this age of Fantasy Football and crazy stats, Faulk's numbers (other than the ones I just said) won't wow you. However, if you remember how many big 3rd down conversions he made year after year, it's easy to recall what an important part of the team he always was for head coach Bill Belichick. He was Darren Sproles before we knew that Darren Sproles existed. He also basically invented a position-3rd down running back-with his ability to catch passes out of the backfield and block. Fittingly, Belichick and owner Bob Kraft will both speak tomorrow morning (10:30 a.m., the Hall at Patriot Place) at the retirement ceremony.
Maybe it was because he was undersized (5-foot-9) for an NFL running back or had a taste for the good life (caught smoking weed at a Lil' Wayne concert in his native Louisiana) but I feel like in various ways we could all relate to Faulk. He was a great teammate and a standup guy that wouldn't hide from the media no matter what the outcome. For all the wonderful memories, we say thanks Kevin! Good luck with the next phase of your life, whatever that may entail.
Here is a higlight reel of Kevin Faulk that I found on YouTube, enjoy.
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