For a man whose job is a series of violent collisions, the 30-year-old Wilfork has a deep sense of family and community.
He started dating his wife, Bianca, when he was at the University of Miami. The couple has three children and Bianca rarely misses a game, home or away. Wilfork counts several of his former college teammates as close friends and it is without the slightest hint of cliché that he refers to the Patriots linemen as being part of a brotherhood.
“That time I have with those guys, I think it means a lot to them. But it means more to me,’’ Wilfork said. “They get a chance to see me outside of the organization and they can see what kind of person I am. I think that goes a long way. You develop a bond. When you get that bond, guys trust one another. I think we have that.’’
Since the Patriots were last in the Super Bowl four years ago, only Wilfork remains on the defensive line. Seymour, his mentor, was traded to Oakland. Ty Warren, another close friend, is now with Denver.
In their place are an assortment of veterans such as Shaun Ellis, Mark Anderson, and Gerard Warren, and younger, still-developing players. That group includes Kyle Love, Ron Brace, and Brandon Deaderick.
All are welcome when Wilfork opens his home.
“Not too many people would do that,’’ said Brace, a Patriot for three years. “You’re there with his wife, his kids, you’re sitting on his couch and eating his food. He makes you feel like part of the family. You have to respect that. Vince leads in his own way. He doesn’t get in your face. But you don’t want to let him down. He has that respect.’’
Roster turnover is a fact of life in the NFL, and for the Patriots, the tumult affected the defense far more than the offense in the last few years. But Wilfork has stayed solid in the middle.
