A NAN First
By NAN Sports Editor
News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Tues. Jan. 24, 2017: The Caribbean will again be represented at this year’s NFL Super Bowl on Feb. 5, 2017 as the New England Patriots take on the Atlanta Falcons.
The Pats’ only Jamaican-born player, Patrick Chung, will be the only Caribbean-born player in the 51st Super Bowl when the two teams clash at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas.
The Kingston-born, Pats’ #23 player is part of the defending 2016 Super Bowl team that makes its ninth return to the tourney, led of course by quarterback Tom Brady.
On Sunday, Chung was part of the team that helped beat the Pittsburgh Steelers in a convincing 36-17 AFC Championship Game at Gillette Stadium to book their ticket again to Super Bowl LI.
Chung has been a key to the Patriots’ defense against tight ends this season. On Sunday he tackled the Steelers Jesse James at the goal line, which was confirmed through a replay review, after an 18-yard reception. He and Dont’a Hightower then combined to stop Williams for a 1-yard loss on first down while fellow Pat’s team mate Vincent Valentine snuffed out Williams for a 3-yard loss on second-and-goal.
This will be Chung’s third Super Bowl. He first played in Super Bowl XLVI for New England and was noted for his standout play despite the Patriots’ losing effort. His appearance then included six tackles and one pass defended.
He also played in Super Bowl XLIX, on February 1, 2015, where he had one tackle in the Patriot’s 28-24 victory over the Seattle Seahawks. Now Chung returns with the team that first drafted him in 2009 to defend their 2016 title.
Chung’s father was a music producer for Chung’s mother, Sophia George-Chung, a Jamaican reggae star with a top 10 hit in the mid-1980s named “Girlie-Girlie.” He is an alumnus of Rancho Cucamonga High School in Rancho Cucamonga, California and the University of Oregon.
Chung recently signed to a one-year, $5.7 million extension contract with the Pats through 2018. Through his foundation, Chung Changing Lives, he and his wife, Cecelia, support the personal and academic development of children by providing access to enrichment and educational programs ranging from swimming classes to musical instruction.
Meanwhile, if you are looking to attend the Super Bowl get ready to shell out as much as USD 6,000 per ticket.
