Terron Armstead is less than a year removed from the NFL, but he's already visibly slimmed down from the hulking offensive tackle New Orleans Saints fans will remember, and it's for a good reason.
Armstead will someday soon need a full knee replacement. It's the reason he retired this offseason. He knew that'd be the case when he met with doctors following Week 1 of the 2024 season. He still went on to play 15 games for the Dolphins to finish out a 3-year run and a 12-year NFL career. The weight loss is a way to help stave off that surgery as long as possible.
"The hardships, the ups and downs of my life. This city is the epitome of handling adversity," an emotional Armstead told assembled media Friday at the Saints facility. "It’s the reason why I was able to battle the injuries and I get the labels, he’s injury prone, whatever, shut up. I’m resilient. I’m resilient. It comes from this city, the city has been through tragedy, but this city celebrates … in the face of heartbreak. I adopted that, and it’s the reason why I was able to play for 12 years."
Watch Terron Armstead's full press conference in the player above. Can't see the embed? Click here.
It was the type of confidence, defiance, power of will that made Armstead an elite player for so long in black and gold after making waves at the combine by setting a new record in the 40-yard dash out of Arkansas Pine-Bluff. Armstead will soon be in the team Hall of Fame and Ring of Honor, but he wouldn't miss an opportunity to come back with thank yous for the team and city that helped mold him and a stellar career that included five pro bowls.
Armstead will serve as the team's "Legend of the Game" for the season-opener.
“I truly, truly appreciate you for changing my life and my family’s life, allowing me to have a chance to change our lineage, the meaning of our last name. I’ve got my father here in the front, Samuel Armstead," he said. "We’re proud of our last name, that Armstead name, and it came through this building and it came through this city. I cannot express enough how grateful and appreciative I am for the opportunity, for the belief, even today, over 12 years ago after you guys took the chance on me to have this moment right now today."
Fighting back tears over a more than 30-minute press conference, Armstead recalled several emotional stories, including the passing of his brother in a car accident during the 2021 season marred by the Coronavirus pandemic. Commercial travel would've meant missing an upcoming game, but team owner Gayle Benson allowed Armstead, joined by head coach Sean Payton and a few teammates, to use her private jet to attend the funeral.
"That’s not just football. That’s not just an NFL team. That is a family," he said. "That moment is deeper than the sport. I cannot express enough my gratitude."
Armstead also spoke about his father Samuel's battle with addiction throughout his childhood and well into his NFL career, a trauma that stuck with him and helped mold him in to the person and player he became.
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But what's next for Armstead? One thing is clear: It's not on an NFL coach staff -- at least for now, though he will continue to do 1-on-1 work out of his home base in Dallas.
Just ask Sean Payton, who called his former OT just a few days after Armstead announced his retirement. He was flattered, but had a simple response.
"He said, he thinks I’ll be a great coach in this league and he wants me to come out there to Denver to coach," Armstead recalled. "I said Sean, I appreciate you, but no. I’m not doing it, especially not with him, because his hours are just, no, that’s not for me."
But Saints fans will get a chance to see Armstead again before Week 1 -- and then again at his inevitable enshrinement ceremonies -- when he'll be leading the Who Dat chant in front of what's sure to be a raucous crowd.