New England Patriots linebacker Jerod Mayo was loved by everyone, so it's no surprise that multiple players have taken to social media to voice their appreciation for the team captain.
Family was always the most important aspect of the team for Mayo and he made sure the other players were aware. There was a period of time where a handful of the players lived in a small area, and Mayo always invited everyone over.
Well, maybe not invited.
"It was open door policy," Mayo explained to the Pulpit in 2015. "It's how it had to be. Julian [Edelman] was our neighbor! [Matthew] Slater was also our neighbor over there, [Rob] Ninkovich was our neighbor. We had a tight little community."
It led Mayo's daughter to call Vince Wilfork "Uncle Vince", it's how Jamie Collins raided Mayo's kitchen ("[Jamie] eats a lot! He's a big guy, you know?"), and it's why Mayo will be so missed in the locker room.
DB Devin McCourty
DT Vince Wilfork
ED Chandler Jones
Mentor, teammate, friend....honored to have played next to you @jerod_mayo51 #Legend pic.twitter.com/4zwNT02qPz
— Chandler Jones (@Chan95Jones) February 17, 2016
WR Julian Edelman
Congrats on a great career proud to call you a #teammate #NewEnglandLegend pic.twitter.com/sSttY1TcUh
— Julian Edelman (@Edelman11) February 17, 2016
WR Danny Amendola
to the best teammate, toughest guys & realest cat walking. glad to strap it up w you Senor. @jerod_mayo51 #captain pic.twitter.com/gjmvXTx7e2
— Danny Amendola (@DannyAmendola) February 17, 2016
RB Kevin Faulk
Just hearing about @jerod_Mayo51 retiring, will be missed on and off the field. He was a true leader from the day he walked in! CONGRATS!!!
— K. Feezy (@feezy_k) February 17, 2016
DT Sealver Siliga