Over this past offseason SJR alum Devin McCourty '05 retired from the NFL after a 13-year career. McCourty finished with 3 Super Bowls titles, 3 Second Team All Pro awards and 2 Pro Bowls. He was also a 12-year captain for the New England Patriots.

Devin grew up in Nyack, New York where he started playing football at a young age. When he first started playing football he actually didn't like it.

"When I first played football early on, I actually wanted to quit, I didn't really like it that much." said McCourty. But despite him wanting to quit he still dreamed about playing in the NFL or NBA. 

After youth football McCourty went on to St. Joes with his twin brother Jason. Devin described freshman year with St. Joes football as "challenging" and "competitive," saying "I think going in there I think every kid that goes to St. Joes, you were probably one of the better players on your youth football team in your town. You mesh that all together you realize how competitive it is to go out there and play." During his freshman year he played primarily defense. Then, in his sophomore year he started 3 games. After starting those 3 games, he felt relieved.

He said, "That was the realization that I actually belong out here and I can actually play with these guys. It was a cool feeling."

Later on in his high school football career he played positions at safety and cornerback.  He was named All League in his junior and senior year. In his high school career, Devin picked up 50 tackles and 3 interceptions. In his final game as a Green Knight, he won a state championship at Rutgers.

"We just had a great time and obviously what made it more special was being state champions and winning games. I will never forget winning the state championship over Pope John at Rutgers Stadium." 

After SJR, McCourty brought his talents to New Brunswick to play for the Rutgers Scarlet Knights. In his college career he finished with 238 combined tackles with 6 interceptions and 2 touchdowns. On top of those stats he was also named 2009 First Team All Big East. McCourty described the transition to Rutgers as "smooth but was not without challenges." He said one of the challenges was "missing being home and missing the familiar surroundings that you get used to all throughout the high school years." 

Then, on April 24, 2010 he was able to reach the dream he never thought was realistic, the NFL. In the first round, with the 27th pick overall, the Patriots selected Devin McCourty. In his first NFL season he came out firing having 82 tackles and a career high 7 interceptions. In his following 2 seasons, he was named Patriots team captain where he would continue this until the end of his career. Being named team captain was one of his personal favorite accomplishments.

"That is always voted by your teammates and your peers. So being able to always think that my teammates want to follow me was an incredible feeling."

Following his 3rd season Devin had to change his position from CB to safety. "When I first moved I was really angry because from a business standpoint corner backs made more than safeties and I felt like it was going to hurt me in the long run." he said. "When I first moved I did not think it was a good move for me individually, but I understand that it was for the team. It ended up being the best thing that happened for me in my career."

The next 10 years of his NFL career would be incredible. He would win his first Super Bowl in 2015 then his second in 2017 and his third Superbowl in 2019 alongside his twin brother Jason. Along his NFL career he became a Pro Bowler in 2010 and 2016, he also became 2nd Team All Pro in 2010, 2013 and 2016.

Finally on March 10, 2023 Devin McCourty capped an amazing 13-year career by retiring a 12-time captain for the New England Patriots.