Lawrence Guy never sought the spotlight but over 13 NFL seasons, he earned the respect of teammates, coaches and fans alike for doing the dirty work that rarely shows up on stat sheets.
The veteran defensive lineman officially announced his retirement on Friday, closing the book on a remarkable career that began as a seventh-round pick in 2011 and culminated in a Super Bowl championship and All-Decade honors in New England.
"I want to thank the Patriots organization and [Robert Kraft], it's a full circle moment," said Guy. "I wanted to [retire] in New England because New England was my home. It's a blessing that I get to be here to do this."
Guy's journey to NFL longevity was anything but linear. After spending time on practice squads and bouncing between the Colts, Chargers and Ravens, he signed with the Patriots in 2017 and quickly became a foundational piece of Bill Belichick's defense. Over seven seasons in Foxborough, Guy started 103 of 110 games, helping anchor one of the league's most consistently stout run defenses.
"They challenged me to get uncomfortable," said Guy in 2020 of his arrival in New England. "They push you to the limit so you have to be uncomfortable to get comfortable. And knowing that aspect you can see over the years the development of why I'm able to move down the line and be comfortable in every position. They're pushing me and they're inspiring me to be better and better every day and gotten me to the point where no matter what hand I put down or what position I am, I'm comfortable."
Though his career totals of 509 tackles, 17 sacks, and 6 fumble recoveries don't scream stardom, Guy's impact was undeniable. He was a tone-setter up front, occupying double teams, setting the edge, and freeing up teammates to make plays. His contributions were instrumental in the Patriots' 13-3 win over the Rams in Super Bowl LIII, where he started and recorded two tackles and a quarterback hit.
In 2020, Guy was named a team captain, and in 2021, he received the Ron Burton Community Service Award. He was also the Patriots' nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award in 2022, reflecting his deep commitment to giving back through the Lawrence Guy Family Foundation.
Guy's consistency and leadership earned him a spot on the Patriots All-2010s Team, alongside franchise legends like Vince Wilfork and Tom Brady. Reflecting on that honor, Guy said, "It shows that a lot of hard work and dedication can lead to a lot of ways. It shows other people that were in my shoes… that they can achieve something if they put their mind to it."
That mindset defined Guy's career. He embraced coaching, adapted to multiple roles across the defensive line, and became a model of professionalism in the locker room.
As he steps away from the game, Guy leaves behind a legacy not just of on-field toughness, but of perseverance, humility and heart. He may not have always made headlines, but in New England, Lawrence Guy will always be remembered as a champion in every sense of the word.
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