David Andrews Bio
James David Andrews is an American former professional football player who served as a center for the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL) for ten seasons from 2015 to 2024. Born on July 10, 1992, in Johns Creek, Georgia, Andrews played college football for the Georgia Bulldogs before entering the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2015. He became one of the most reliable and durable offensive linemen in Patriots history, earning two Super Bowl championships, a place on the New England Patriots All-2010s Team, and team captain honors during his tenure. Following his retirement in 2025, Andrews transitioned to broadcasting, joining NBC Sports Boston and launching a podcast with former teammate Brian Hoyer.
Early Life and Background
Andrews grew up in Peachtree Corners, Georgia, where he attended Wesleyan School. During his high school career, he played as a two-way lineman and helped lead Wesleyan to the 2008 Georgia High School Association Class A state championship. His dominance as an offensive tackle was evident throughout his junior and senior seasons, with coaches crediting him with over a hundred knockdown blocks while not allowing a single quarterback sack. His exceptional performance earned him the 2010 Gwinnett County Offensive Lineman of the Year award and First-team All-County honors from the Gwinnett Daily Post.
Regarded as a three-star recruit by Rivals.com, Andrews was ranked as the No. 9 center prospect in the class of 2011. Despite receiving scholarship offers from Duke and Michigan, Andrews remained a lifelong Bulldogs fan and waited for Georgia to extend an offer. He committed to the University of Georgia in February 2010, essentially on the spot when the offer arrived, beginning his journey toward NFL stardom with his favorite college team.
Path to the NFL
Andrews arrived at the University of Georgia in 2011 as a freshman and appeared in ten games during his first season, earning Athletic Director’s Honor Roll distinction for the fall semester. His sophomore year marked a significant opportunity when he stepped in to fill the void left at center by Ben Jones’s graduation. Andrews started all 14 games that season, protecting quarterback Aaron Murray, and earned SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week honors after a standout performance against Auburn where he graded out at 88 percent with six “dominator” blocks and three knockdowns.
By his senior year, Andrews had established himself as one of the premier centers in college football. He won Georgia’s Vince Dooley Most Valuable Player Award, was selected second-team All-SEC by the Associated Press, and was named one of six finalists for the Rimington Trophy, awarded annually to the nation’s top center. He started 13 games over his senior season, bringing his total career starts to 50 games for the Bulldogs. Despite his success at Georgia, Andrews went undrafted in the 2015 NFL Draft, though his college career had clearly prepared him for the professional level.
David Andrews Career
New England Patriots (2015–2024)
Andrews signed with the New England Patriots as a free agent on May 8, 2015, shortly after going undrafted. He impressed during training camp and earned a spot on the Patriots’ 53-man roster. An unexpected opportunity arose when starting center Bryan Stork and reserve center/guard Ryan Wendell suffered injuries during the preseason. Andrews started every preseason game and earned the starting center role for Week 1 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. He started every game through Week 10, playing every single offensive snap over the first half of the season. Though he was not selected to the 2016 Pro Bowl, Andrews finished second in fan voting at his position. His high performance and relatively low salary earned him a performance-based pay bonus of $237,427.11, the second-highest on the team that season.
In 2016, Andrews faced competition from Bryan Stork for the starting center position and ultimately won the job convincingly, leading to Stork’s release. He started all 16 regular-season games that year on an offensive line that helped the Patriots achieve a 14-2 record. Most notably, Andrews started in Super Bowl LI against the Atlanta Falcons, the first overtime game and largest comeback in Super Bowl history. The Patriots overcame a 28-3 deficit late in the third quarter to win 34-28, giving Andrews his first Super Bowl championship ring.
Captaincy and Continued Excellence (2017–2018)
On May 12, 2017, Andrews signed a three-year contract extension through the 2020 season worth $9.6 million with additional incentives. On September 5, 2017, he was named a Patriots captain for the first time in his career, recognizing his leadership and consistency on the offensive line. That season, Andrews started 17 of 19 games including the Patriots’ Super Bowl LII appearance, where they fell to the Philadelphia Eagles.
The 2018 season saw Andrews return to full health and start all 16 games at center. He helped anchor an offensive line that guided the Patriots to their third consecutive Super Bowl appearance. The Patriots defeated the Los Angeles Chargers and Kansas City Chiefs in the playoffs before beating the Los Angeles Rams 13-3 in Super Bowl LIII. Andrews recorded a fumble recovery in the victory, earning his second Super Bowl championship with the franchise.
Challenges and Resilience (2019–2024)
The 2019 season brought a significant health challenge for Andrews. In August 2019, it was revealed that he had been diagnosed with a pulmonary embolism, which placed his season in jeopardy. He was placed on season-ending injured reserve on August 31, forcing him to miss the entire campaign. This adversity tested his resolve, but Andrews demonstrated the same determination that had defined his career.
Andrews returned to the Patriots starting lineup in 2020 after recovering from his health issues. However, another obstacle emerged when he underwent thumb surgery and was placed on injured reserve on September 26, 2020. He was activated later that October and returned to action. On March 22, 2021, Andrews re-signed with the Patriots on a four-year deal, ensuring he would remain a cornerstone of the offensive line for years to come. He continued as the starting center through the 2022 and 2023 seasons, providing veteran leadership and stability.
On October 4, 2024, Andrews was placed on season-ending injured reserve after suffering a shoulder injury in Week 4 against the San Francisco 49ers. The Patriots released him on March 13, 2025, after ten seasons with the organization. Andrews announced his retirement on May 28, 2025, and participated in a formal retirement ceremony at Gillette Stadium on June 2, closing the chapter on an illustrious playing career.
David Andrews Career Statistics
Across ten NFL seasons with the New England Patriots, Andrews established himself as one of the most durable and reliable centers in franchise history. He appeared in 124 regular-season games with 121 starts, demonstrating exceptional longevity and consistency at a demanding position. His work ethic and durability were hallmarks of his career, regularly playing every snap in games when healthy.
| Category | Statistic |
|---|---|
| Games Played | 124 |
| Games Started | 121 |
| Super Bowl Championships | 2 (LI, LIII) |
| Fumble Recoveries | 7 |
David Andrews Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Andrews comes from a distinguished football family. His uncle, the late Dan Reeves, was a former NFL player and head coach who led the Denver Broncos and Atlanta Falcons to multiple Super Bowl appearances. This family legacy in professional football provided inspiration and guidance throughout Andrews’s journey from high school standout to NFL champion.
Personal Life
Andrews married his wife Mackenzie on April 8, 2017. The couple has two sons together. Andrews and his family have made their home in the New England area during his decade with the Patriots. Beyond football, Andrews maintains an active involvement in his community through various charitable initiatives.
David Andrews Post-Retirement Activities
Following his retirement from professional football in 2025, Andrews began a new chapter in sports media. He joined NBC Sports Boston as a football analyst, providing expert commentary on Patriots games. He also partnered with former teammate Brian Hoyer to launch a new football podcast called The Quick Snap, which debuted in September 2025. Additionally, Andrews makes weekly appearances on the Zolak and Bertrand radio program every Monday to break down that week’s Patriots performance.
Beyond broadcasting, Andrews competes in The Dozen Trivia Competition presented by Barstool Sports. He is a member of the Ice Dawgs team alongside Marty Mush and former NHL player Keith Yandle, showcasing his competitive spirit beyond the football field.
Andrews remains deeply committed to philanthropy in the New England community. He hosts an annual celebrity bowling charity event called Strikes for Tykes, with proceeds supporting organizations that promote physical and mental health for children and families. He has also participated in “Saving by Shaving” for cancer research, worked with animal adoption drives, and visited children in hospitals, demonstrating the same dedication to others that made him a leader in the Patriots locker room.