Patriots Captain: ‘Skewed Survey’ Issue with Poor NFLPA Grades?
New England Patriots team captain David Andrews is not among those quick to condemn the working conditions at One Patriot Place in Foxboro, Massachusetts.
Following a team-sponsored appearance on Thursday, the 30-year-old made it clear that he is personally 'A-ok' with his workplace environment.
“I’m grateful to be in that building," Andrews said of Gillette Stadium, via Boston Herald's Karen Guregian. "It’s got everything I need to be successful,” he said. “The training staff, the equipment staff, every staff has always been great to me, and helped me out. I think there’s everything I need to succeed in there.”
In celebration of National Read Across America Day, Andrews was among the Patriots captains selected to read to students at the New England Patriots Foundation’s 2023 Adopt-A-School, Lafayette School in Everett, Mass. on Thursday morning.
However, the topic of conversation soon shifted to the poor grades received by the team in several categories regarding workplace conditions in a survey recently conducted by the NFL Players Association.
“Any survey can be skewed,” said Andrews. “There’s guys that may have only been in New England, guys that have maybe been with one other team, or ten other teams who took the survey. There’s guys that have families, guys that don’t have families, whatever it may be."
Andrews' voice is one to which Patriots players routinely listen. Since joining the team in 2015, the former Georgia Bulldog has been the exemplar of a team player. Throughout his career, the former undrafted free agent started 100 regular season games (110, including the postseason) for New England, providing stout protection for the Pats’ quarterbacks. Andrews has won two Super Bowls with the franchise and is a six-time team captain.
However, Andrews’ most indelible mark on the only franchise for which he has played is made by the leadership and perseverance he embodies each and every day. Whether it be on the field, or in the locker room, Andrews leads by example and plays his role as assigned to the best of his ability. He is also one of the Pats’ most durable players. Save for missing the entirety of 2019 due to the discovery of blood clots in his lungs, Andrews has missed just 11 games in seven years.
While he remains respectful of his teammates' opinions and perspectives, he was sure to offer his experience on working for the Patriots' organization -- particularly team owner and CEO Robert Kraft.
“I think Mr. Kraft is super competitive. I think his focus is on winning, trying to win,” said Andrews. “And, like the coaches, is doing everything in his power to help us win. The Kraft family has been good to me. I’ll always have respect and appreciation for everything they’ve done . . . I can understand (some of the issues with the weight room, family room) but if you’ve only been to a few different teams, or one team, you might not know what it’s like (elsewhere). But sometimes, the grass isn’t always greener on the other side.”
With the new NFL year set to begin on March 15, many have wondered whether a negative report of this type may deter a prospective free agent or collegiate draft hopeful from wanting to join the Patriots. Though Andrews was cautions not to speak for anyone else, he revealed his own opinion by replying: “I don’t think so.”
For the Patriots, Andrews' voice will hopefully echo beyond the friendly (yet, ripe for renovation) confines of Gillette Stadium.
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