Vince Wilfork knows a thing or two about defensive line play in the NFL. A New England Patriots Hall of Famer, he helped the team win two Super Bowls and was one of the best nose tackles of his era.
Even in retirement he continues to have a positive impact on the team, albeit more subtly. As current Patriots defensive tackle Christian Barmore revealed during his training camp media availability on Sunday, Wilfork is regularly reaching out to him to get him fired up for game day.
“Every time it’s game
day, he’ll hit me up and say, ‘Hey man, you have to set the tone every time,’” Barmore revealed. “He just gets me fired up every time. He’s a legend. He’s one of the best players to ever play the game. So every time he texts me or just hits me up, it’s a blessing because he’s a legend. It motivates me every time I see that message.”
For Barmore, his connection with Wilfork is about more than just motivating text messages. It’s about knowing that even in his sixth year in the league, he is not a fully-developed player yet.
“I still learn every day. Of course, nobody is perfect,” the 26-year-old said. “My mission is to get guys that need help, I’m going to help them out. I always tell them, ask coach, or ask anybody that played the game long. I talk to Big Vince when I need to, or I talk to legends like Coach T[errell Williams] or Coach [Mike] Vrabel. The guys, they are not afraid to tell me what I need to work on and need to keep being the best I can be for the team.”
A second-round draft choice by the Patriots in 2021, Barmore quickly became a mainstay along the team’s interior defensive line. One of the most disruptive D-linemen in the league, he signed a four-year, $84 million contract extension in 2024 but shortly thereafter found himself sidelined due to blood clots.
Barmore eventually made his way back, with 2025 his first full season after his recovery. He appeared in all 21 games and finished with three combined sacks.
Now, he is looking is to take another step in his development, and — just like Vince Wilfork is doing for him — help. bring the younger guys along as well.
“Keep coming out here, set an example for my guys, the young guys, and just showing the proof every day,” he explained. “Keep getting better every day, and just keep balling, keep doing good.”
