Foxborough, Massachusetts – 3/11/2025
After the final whistle at Gillette Stadium, the New England Patriots’ locker room echoed with cheers following the thrilling 24-23 victory over the Atlanta Falcons. But amid that atmosphere, two people quietly packed their belongings very quickly, folded their jerseys, and walked away in silence. Not because they were sad – but because they had a different journey, a mission carrying more tears than any victory: DeMario “Pop” Douglas and Terrell Jennings – two teammates, two brothers – were heading back to Jacksonville, Florida, to attend the funeral of their late uncle “Tiger.”
“Tiger” was not only Douglas’s uncle but also the person Jennings called their “shared uncle” – the one who had cared for and guided them since childhood. He was shot and killed just one day before the Falcons game. Despite the extreme pain, both Douglas and Jennings decided to take the field, scoring touchdowns together and dedicating that victory to their loved one.
Right after the game, while everyone was still hugging in celebration, they quietly left the stadium. An internal Patriots source confirmed: Douglas and Jennings caught an overnight flight back to Jacksonville to make it in time for the funeral the next morning. They had requested three days off under the team’s special policy, and will return to practice on Wednesday, joining tactical meetings online during their absence.
Head coach Mike Vrabel shared with deep emotion in this morning’s press conference: “I was in the locker room when they left. No words were needed – just a very tight handshake. You could feel the pain, but also see the strength inside them. I told the whole team: ‘That’s the spirit of the Patriots – fighting not just for victory, but for the people we love.’”
For Patriots fans, the image of the two young players quietly heading to the airport that night is not just a human story – but proof of the true value of football: humanity, loyalty, and resilience in overcoming pain. And when they return to Gillette on Wednesday, surely every catch and every run will carry a tribute – to “Tiger,” the one who has been watching them from the skies of Jacksonville.
