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Kevin Faulk retired from the NFL after 13 seasons, all of them spent with the Patriots, with whom he won three Super Bowls. Patriots owner Robert Kraft, left, and coach Bill Belichick, right, turned out to honor Faulk at his retirement ceremony.

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Faulk's last game as a team member was Super Bowl XLVI, although he was not activated on game day.

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Faulk, shown as a rookie with fellow running back Terry Allen, was a second-round pick in 1999.

Globe Photo

Faulk's first game was the season opener at the Jets, when he rushed 10 times for 17 yards in a 30-28 win.

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On Nov. 15, 1999, he set a team record for a nontouchdown return with a 95-yard kick return to the 8-yard line.

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Faulk's rookie season ended after an ankle injury suffered on Dec. 12, 1999 against the Colts in Indianapolis.

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Faulk dropped this fumble as a rookie, but would become a steady hand who lost just 16 fumbles over 13 years.

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Faulk became a fan favorite whose career also marked a period of unprecedented winning by the Patriots.

Matthew J. Lee/ Globe staff

Faulk was a special player to Bill Belichick, whose coached the running back for 12 of his 13 seasons.

Matthew J. Lee/ Globe staff

Faulk laid out for this 17-yard touchdown reception in 2006, one of 33 scores he had in his career.

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In 2009, Faulk became the Patriots' leader in all-purpose yards. He finished his career with 12,349.

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Faulk caught the doomed fourth-and-2 pass when Belichick was stopped in a 2009 loss to the Colts.

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In 2010, Faulk suffered a season-ending torn ACL in Week 2.

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Faulk returned in 2011 at age 35. He played in eight games his final year, but was inactive for the last two playoff games.

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Faulk embraced Tom Brady after the pair reached their fifth Super Bowl last month.

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Faulk remained a statesman among the Patriots players even as his playing time diminished.

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Faulk enters retirement as a central figure on a team that went 134-42 over his final 11 seasons.