DeMario Douglas had a dominant performance on Sunday, and the more impressive thing about it was that he had a heavy heart throughout it all.
In a 24-23 win against the Atlanta Falcons, the New England Patriots wide receiver needed only four catches to cover 100 yards – the first time he did so in his career – and score a touchdown. After the game, he revealed a tragedy that had befallen him hours before kickoff:
“Yesterday, my uncle got shot, well, killed last night. This whole morning, my mood was different. Man, I couldn’t hold my tears. I just know he was here with me today. …I’m blessed.”
He continued:
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“I just looked to the sky and I just told him ‘thank you’ because I know he’s with me. I just know he’s up there excited, for sure.”
Other key offensive contributors for the Patriots were veteran wideout Stefon Diggs, who caught the ball thrice for 38 yards and a touchdown; and running back Terrell Jennings, who rushed 11 times for 35 yards and a score of his own.
For the Falcons, Drake London led all players with nine receptions for 118 yards and three touchdowns. However, running back Bijan Robinson was held to a measly 46 yards on 12 carries.
Terrell Jennings reacts to death of DeMario Douglas’ uncle hours before Patriots beat Falcons
Terrell Jennings also had some words to share about DeMario Douglas losing his uncle – a person the running back called “a close friend to my family”. He recalled praying to God as soon as he scored his rushing touchdown:
“This is what I play the game for, to get in the end zone. My teammates being there, that made the whole experience better.”
Douglas also had thoughts about his teammate’s breakout performance after spending most of his career so far as a fourth-stringer:
“He really got out of the mud …To see what he went through, and what he accomplished, and all the doubt. It’s a blessing to see him here. …He’s like, ‘Man, what’s going on?’ I’m like, ‘Trust the process.’”
The Patriots will continue playing the NFC South next week when they visit the Tampa Bay Buccaneers next Sunday.