Patriots

Douglas was a mere passerby to these fans at Boston’s Logan Airport.

Christian Gonzalez’s first NFL season may have only lasted four games, but it appears some Patriots fans have an easier time recognizing him over other young New England players.

Shown in an Instagram story posted by Patriots’ defensive end Keion White, a group of young fans stopped the cornerback, White, and wide receiver DeMario Douglas at Boston’s Logan Airport for a picture. However, they only wanted to snap a photo with one of those three 2023 New England draftees: Last year’s 17th overall selection, Gonzalez.

The person who the group asked to take the picture? Douglas, a sixth-round pick.

White, a 2023 second-round pick, filmed a snippet of the interaction. He also seemed to get left in the dust and viewed as a mere passerby compared to Gonzalez.

Gonzalez certainly made an impact in the Patriots’ first four games before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury against the Dallas Cowboys, hence why fans who happen to stumble across him in public are eager to grab a photo with him. He started in all four contests and at times looked like a NFL veteran in matchups against some of the league’s best receivers in A.J. Brown and Tyreek Hill despite being just 21 years old. 

After being named the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Month in Sept. 2023 for logging three pass deflections, an interception, and a sack to kick off his pro career, Gonzalez looks poised to be a major part of New England’s secondary for years to come. 

Douglas and White may not have had such flashy rookie seasons compared to Gonzalez, but they did play in nearly every game last year. Douglas has yet to score his first NFL touchdown, but the 23-year-old displayed his speed and reliability last season.

Douglas also accumulated the most receptions (49) and receiving yards (561) among all rookie wide receivers who ever played for Bill Belichick. That accomplishment alone should be enough to get you recognized in public alongside other Patriots players.

As for White, the 25-year-old played in 16 games and started in four last year. He collected 26 tackles, including three for loss, and five quarterback hits. White also deflected three passes and logged one sack. He wasn’t always consistent during his rookie season, but he was a cog in one of the league’s most dangerous defenses last year in New England’s.

Perhaps Douglas and White can get on Gonzalez’s level of fan recognition by showing out in their respective sophomore seasons in 2024-25.