FOXBORO — Sunday marked an emotional and significant day for New England Patriots wide receiver DeMario Douglas and running back Terrell Jennings as they celebrated a victory over the Atlanta Falcons amidst personal loss. Both players, who were teammates at Mandarin High School in Jacksonville, Florida, were grieving the passing of Douglas’ uncle, who passed away on Saturday night.
“This whole morning was hard,” Douglas shared poignantly, fighting back tears. He felt his uncle’s presence throughout the day, saying, “I just know he was with me, and he was with Terrell, too.” Jennings, who also felt the weight of the loss, referred to Douglas’ uncle as a “close friend to my family” and expressed his sorrow, stating he was “balling” for Douglas.
On the field, Douglas shined in a heartfelt performance, achieving the first 100-yard game of his career with four receptions, including a touchdown. Jennings, recently elevated from the practice squad to the 53-man roster, also had a remarkable game, scoring his inaugural NFL touchdown while rushing 35 yards on 11 carries. “As soon as I touched the end zone, I just praised the Lord,” he expressed, attributing his success to a higher calling and the support of his teammates.
Both players benefitted from increased roles due to injuries within the team. Wide receiver Kayshon Boutte suffered a hamstring injury early in the game, resulting in more opportunities for Douglas, while Jennings shared the backfield workload with rookie TreVeyon Henderson after Rhamondre Stevenson was sidelined with a toe injury.
Douglas took a moment to encourage Jennings, who had experienced moments of uncertainty regarding his opportunities. “I’m like, ‘trust the process,’” he advised, reflecting on his own journey. Douglas noted that he never fully grasped the meaning of “trusting the process” until this season when he found himself lower on the wide receiver depth chart. Despite these challenges, he has caught 18 passes for 262 yards and three touchdowns this season, with a significant 232 yards accrued over the last four games.
The shared experiences of pain and elation among the teammates underscore the resilience of the human spirit and showcase the powerful dynamics of camaraderie in professional sports, instilling hope for both players as they navigate their careers and personal lives.