DeMario ‘Pop’ Douglas delivered a deeply moving performance in the New England Patriots’ victory over the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, taking to the field just hours after receiving devastating family news. In the Patriots’ 24-23 victory, Douglas produced what was arguably the finest display of his fledgling career, collecting four receptions for 100 yards and a touchdown. His previous season-best had been three catches for 71 yards against the New Orleans Saints.
After the match, Douglas revealed he was honouring a relative who had been fatally shot the previous evening. “Yesterday my uncle got shot, and well killed, last night,” Douglas told NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe. “This whole morning man, my mood was just different. I can’t hold my tears I can’t hold nothing. Every time somebody said ‘Keep your head up,’ my eyes kept watering up and I just know he was here with me today. First day in Heaven, he was working and I’m blessed.”
Following his touchdown against the Falcons, Douglas expressed his wish to honour his uncle for supporting him in spirit, despite the tragic loss occurring mere hours before New England’s encounter with Atlanta. The Patriots’ victory over the Falcons represented their sixth successive win, and Douglas felt certain his uncle would have been proud of his efforts as a wide receiver.
“I know he’s up there right now. It’s a blessing man. I just know he’s up there, excited for sure,” he said. Following the match, Terrell Jennings reflected: “He’s like an uncle to us. Me and ‘Pop’ actually, he took take care of us when we was out with him back. And last night, he tragically got killed late last night and that was big on my heart this morning. I just wanted to ball for him.”
Patriots manager Mike Vrabel also praised Douglas’s display for New England, highlighting the 24-year-old’s strength during such difficult personal circumstances. Vrabel suggested Douglas could feature more prominently in upcoming fixtures.
“We got to keep finding Pop, you know what I mean?” Vrabel told journalists after the win. “But you always look, and when Pop doesn’t have the ball and somebody else does, he’s turning the block and doing all the things that we ask him to do to protect our identity.
“And so, you know, we have to continue to find him on some of these runaways or some of these slot plays that are really good for him.
“And I love having him on the team. He’s fun to coach. I mean, he sits right up front, and, you know, he’s always into it. Great teammate, so always happy for his success.”
Star wide receiver Stefon Diggs voiced his admiration for Douglas’ outstanding contribution. “Obviously, ‘Pop’ is a baller,” Diggs told reporters in the dressing room.
“He comes into work, he does everything right and he does it with a smile and even when things don’t go his way, where he might not get the rock, he’s always smiling. … but ‘Pop’ got that smile that will light up a room and I’m just so proud of him – his first 100-yard game.”