Martellus Bennett confirms he won’t un-retire to join his brother Michael with the Patriots

Shortly after the New England Patriots acquired defensive edge Michael Bennett via trade from the Philadelphia Eagles ten days ago, speculation started whether or not his brother — ex-Patriots tight end Martellus Bennett — would consider coming out of retirement to reunite the two in New England. Michael Bennett, of course, said shortly after the transaction that he did not see his brother do that. It looks like his brother agrees.

Martellus Bennett turned to Instagram on Sunday to explain why he will not un-retire and return to the NFL (slightly adapted from social media speak). “I would love to play ball with my brother, it would truly be a dream come true,” the 32-year-old, who was with the Patriots in 2016 and parts of 2017, wrote in the statement. “But my biggest dream is to change lives with my creativity and that is what I am currently doing at The Imagination Agency.”

Bennett started The Imagination Agency after his daughter was born in 2016. Focusing on children’s education, it produces literature while also venturing into the tech sector. As the CCO of the company, Bennett, who won Super Bowl 51 with New England and spent a total of ten seasons in the NFL after getting selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the second round of the 2008 draft, is heavily involved in the creative process

“These kids don’t need another athlete to look up to or to aspire to be — there’s plenty of inspiration out there for that,” he pointed out in his Instagram statement. “I want to inspire the next wave of creatives. The storytellers. The engineers. The designers. The doctors. The filmmakers. The composers. Tech moguls. And maybe a few athletes who like me never felt like they belonged in a locker room.”

“I was never one of the guys guys most of my teammates would tell that. I’ve always been a creative who enjoyed competing, I’m playing the game that I was made to play and it’s the most fun I’ve ever had,” Bennett continued. “Scoring touchdowns and winning a Super Bowl has never made me feel the way seeing kids/families/people enjoying things I have created. I’m doing my life’s work fulfilling what I believe to be my life’s purpose.”

“I hope everyone finds something that makes them as happy and as fulfilled as I have with my work at The Imagination Agency. I appreciate all of the love, but this is way bigger than the game of football,” he concluded. And while New England certainly could use a talent like Bennett with its tight end group facing plenty of questions heading into 2019, he cannot be blamed for his decision.

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