David Andrews, class of 2011, has made many football achievements. Starting at Henderson Stadium, then playing at Sanford Stadium at the University of Georgia and lastly in the NRG Stadium in Houston, TX at Superbowl LI.
Head Wesleyan football coach Franklin Pridgen speaks very highly of Andrews and said, “David is a big man with an even bigger personality, an amazing leader and someone who loved to laugh.” Andrews was a star player, but never acted like he was too cool, showing the kind of guy he was by “always walking to practice with his friends that weren’t the stars of the team,” Pridgen said. “That was just the kind of guy he was.”
Even from a young age he enjoyed playing football, but it was not until his high school years that he fell in love with the sport. Andrews was a starter as a two-way lineman. When it came to his senior year, he was ready to step up as a leader and become a captain for the Wolves.
Pridgen’s favorite story is when Andrew was a senior. “He painted his whole body green and came into school shirtless to dress up as the Hulk on the Friday of Homecoming week. David tried to get the paint off himself before the football game, but there was still a tint of green. The other players were so confused and the referee even came up to me and asked if he was sick and my response was, ‘he is only sick in the head’, we both laughed it off.”
His senior year, Andrews was named 2010 Gwinnett County Offensive Lineman of the Year and made the All-County First Team Offense of the Gwinnett Daily Post. Andrews had offers from Duke University and Michigan University, but as a “lifelong die-hard Bulldogs fan,” waited for Georgia to offer and committed “practically on the spot” when he got an offer in February 2012.
Andrews continued his football career at the University of Georgia. After his freshman year, he was awarded the Athletic Director’s Honor Role. During his sophomore year, he started in 14 games as a center and blocked for Aaron Murray. That same year in early November he was named SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week. His junior year, he was added to the preseason watch list for the Rimington Trophy. That same year University of UGA Bulldogs were number one in the SEC. In the spring of his senior year, he was named Offensive MVP and preseason Third Team All-SEC.
Andrews did not just fall in love with football in Sanford Stadium, he fell in love with his fiancé, McKenzie, who was a Bulldog cheerleader.
After his four years at the University of Georgia, he signed as a free agent to the New England Patriots in 2015. The starting Center for the Patriots, Bryan Stork, was injured leaving a starting Center position up for grabs. Andrews impressed the coaches in spring training and made the 2015 53-man team. The next year when Stork was healed, they competed for the starting spot as the Patriots center. Andrews started in every game in 2016 with a 14-2 record. The New England Patriots were headed to the Superbowl.
On Feb. 5, Superbowl LI took place in NRG Stadium in Houston, TX. The Atlanta Falcons had the lead for the whole first half, but in the second half the New England Patriots gained the lead. Patriots won in a close game that ended with the score of 34-28.
The Wesleyan administration wanted to recognize Andrews’ success. On Mar. 13, there was a celebratory ceremony in Austin Chapel with Andrews, his old high school teammates and his beautiful fiancé, McKenzie, in attendance.
This is just the beginning of Andrews’ football career. The Wesleyan community will be cheering on Andrews every step of his career and are looking forward to what the future holds for him.
