The 2003 first-round pick is staying home with his wife and three kids to take five classes and finish his education. Warren is majoring in agriculture leadership and development, and expected to graduate next year.
"I try to put the kids in the best educational system possible, and I think there is something to be said for their father, who has been blessed to play in the NFL and do something he's loved to do, going back and finishing what he started," Warren told ESPN.com. "In the big picture, I think it's important for me to do what I'm doing. I can sacrifice that bonus for that."
After hanging up his cleats, Warren hopes to work with students at his alma mater to get involved in the community.
"If we end up having a lockout in 2011, that's where you can find me, working with students,” Warren told ESPN.com.
The 29-year-old is preparing for life after football.
"If I'm fortunate enough to play 12, 13 years, but then find myself getting cut in training camp, I'm not going to put myself in a situation where I don't have my degree," he told ESPN.com. "I'm not going to give myself up like that. I need to have options, so I feel like right now is a time where I need to dictate what I'm doing in the offseason."
Warren, who has been with the Patriots for eight seasons, plans to work out on his own.
"Working out has never been a problem of mine, I do it regardless." he said. "I'm self-motivated. I've always been a working person. Ask anyone who knows me, I've been working and supporting my two siblings and now my own family since I was 13. No matter how much I have in the bank account, I'll always work. "
That hard work helped Warren be a part of Super Bowl championship teams. Now, it’s going to help him be a success off the field as well.
