Career Transactions
- Signed by the New England Patriots as a free agent on Sept. 9, 2000.
- Placed on injured reserve (12/7/00).
- Originally signed by the Green Bay Packers as a rookie free agent (4/25/97).
- Allocated to the Scottish Claymores of the NFL Europe League (1998).
- Placed on injured reserve (11/23/99). Released by the Packers (8/27/00).
Career Highlights
- GP/GS: 79/60 (7/6)
- Andruzzi has been a part of a Patriots offensive line that allowed just 63 sacks over a two-year span. That is the best two-year total since New England allowed 60 sacks from 1996-97.
- Andruzzi started all three postseason games in 2003 as part of an offensive line that did not allow a sack in the playoffs as Tom Brady attempted 126 passes and the Patriots claimed the Super Bowl XXXVIII championship.
- The Patriots offensive line allowed only 31 sacks of Tom Brady during the 2002 season, their lowest sack total since they allowed 30 sacks in 1997.
- Andruzzi helped pave the way for running back Antowain Smith’s four 100-yard games during the 2001 season. It was the highest single-season total since Robert Edwards recorded four in 1998.
- Earned a spot on the All-NFL Europe team after starting in all 10 games for the Scottish Claymores during the 1998 season.
College Highlights
- Andruzzi was a four-year starter (1993-96) at Southern Connecticut State in New Haven, Conn.
- Selected NCAA Division II first-team All-American by the National Football Coaches Association in 1995 and 1996.
- Played center, tackle and guard during his collegiate career
- First-team all-conference selection and team captain as a senior, when he helped the Owls set season records for total yards (4,783), touchdowns (52), passing yards (2,153) and completions (142).
Personal
- Joseph Dominick Andruzzi was born in Staten Island, N.Y. on Aug. 23, 1975
- All-city selection in football at Tottenville High School in Staten Island, N.Y. where he was an offensive and defensive tackle
- Along with then-teammate Jim Kitts, took part in the 1999 Pro Football Team Arm Wrestling Championships at Las Vegas, the duo placed fifth out of 16 teams
- Majored in liberal arts
- Joe and his wife, Jennifer, have three children, Hunter, Breanna and Thomas.
Charitable
- In 2002, Joe paid for 100 New York Firefighters to be bussed up and to attend the New York Jets vs. New England Patriots @ Gillette Stadium.
- Joe, whose brothers are New York City Firefighters, has been extremely involved in fundraising for 9/11 efforts.
- Joe served as a Muscle Team Buddy for the Boston Muscular Dystrophy Association, providing support to children with MD.
- Joe served as spokesman for the New England Association of Fire marshals, rallying effort for the work that they do.
- Joe and his wife Jen organized a trip for 200 inner-city kids to come to Gillette Stadium and get toys the week before Christmas. This event, done through the Salvation Army, was attended by Joe’s teammates.
- Andruzzi is one of the most generous Patriots players in terms of volunteering for most team-sponsored charity events, including annual holiday turkey give-away, golf tournaments, and countless weekly public appearances.
Extra Points
- Joe was the inaugural recipient of the New England Patriots Ron Burton Community Service Award in 2003. Joe received the Burton Award after being recognized as the Patriots player who best embodies the qualities of Burton, the first player drafted by the Patriots in 1959, and his commitment to the community and to helping others.
- Joe became close friends with a young man named C.J. Buckley during 2002 training camp. When C.J. passed away from inoperable brain cancer in Dec. 2002, Joe helped to establish a trust in C.J.’s name to benefit children’s brain cancer research. In Dec. 2003, Joe hosted a benefit for the trust that raised more than $100,000.