[1] Armstead attended the University of Southern California, playing three seasons from 2008 to 2010, starting 17 games and recording 59 tackles.

[2] However after an initially undisclosed injury, USC's staff refused to medically clear him to play in 2011.

He later sued the school, accusing team doctors of giving him painkillers (Toradol) that caused a heart attack and damaged his future earning potential.

On January 4, 2013, Armstead was released by the Argonauts per request in order to pursue an NFL career.

[3] Per the terms of the NFL Collective Bargaining Agreement, the Patriots were required to sign Armstead, an undrafted free agent, to a three-year deal at the standard salaries of $405,000 for 2013, $495,000 for 2014, and $585,000 in 2015.