Star defensive tackle Vince Wilfork announced his retirement form the NFL on Monday with a tweet that also launched his new career as a product pitchman.

"No more cleats, I'm moving on to smoke meats," Wilfork proclaimed in a video posted on Twitter that showed him wearing denim overalls and brandishing a pair of tongs while standing in front of a barbecue.

The post was a promotion for Kingsford Charcoal, and the 35-year-old also promised fans a farewell tailgate party before the reigning Super Bowl champion New England Patriotshost the Kansas City Chiefs on September 7 in their season opener.

Wilfork had played the past two seasons with the Houston Texans, but played his first 11 seasons with the Patriots.

New England drafted him the first round of the 2004 NFL draft and he was part of two Super Bowl-winning Patriots squads.

Wilfork registered 370 solo tackles and 16 sacks in 189 games -- all but 10 of them starts. He added three sacks in 24 postseason games.

Wilfork was named to four consecutive Pro Bowl team from 2009-12 and was named a first-team All-Pro selection in 2012.

source: AFP