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How a trip to Japan helped convince Martellus Bennett to retire from football

Martellus Bennett helped the Patriots win Super Bowl LI in 2017. He was also a brief part of the team last season. Yet almost a year into his retirement from football, Bennett says he’s “never been happier.”

Speaking on WEEI’s “Ordway, Merloni & Fauria” on Thursday, Bennett offered a glimpse into his 2018 timeline. The decisive moment when Bennett knew he would retire from the NFL happened during a trip to Japan.

“I love Japan,” Bennett said. “It changed my life.”

“I went there last year, right before I retired.