Safety and second-round draft pick Joejuan Williams has made it a point to attend a different high school game every Friday night. 77 overall. Enhance your NESN experience by creating an account today, By creating an account, you agree to our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy. Just one of those kids, no matter what it takes.”. His speech paid off, as Franklin defeated rival Attleboro, 14-0, in the tournament opener using a stifling defense that Winovich himself would be proud to see. In addition, the Patriots name a different high school coach of the week throughout the season, marking individual and team accomplishments for the local coaches. According to Jeff Howe of The Athletic, Winovich talked his way into playing quarterback and eventually won the spot due to his raw physical abilities. The 6-foot-3, 256-pound pass rusher will try to help fill the void left by the departures of Trey Flowers and Adrian Clayborn this offseason. “For me, it was more so the experience of scoring a touchdown, like, that’s priceless” he said. The winning teams are honored during a pregame ceremony held on the field at one of the team’s summer preseason games, with entire teams invited to attend the contest. The Patriots drafted Winovich in Round 3, No. He’s the first guy in, last guy out. What did it look like? The New England Patriots rookie linebacker returned a block punt five yards for a touchdown Thursday night in his team’s 35-14 win over the New York Giants. (Photo: Mike Mulholland | MLive.com)Mike Mulholland | MLive.com. Chase Winovich led Michigan in tackles for loss (17) and quarterback hurries (5) during the 2018 season. On Friday night, rookie linebacker Chase Winovich took that to a whole new level. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. FOXBORO, MASS. He was good. Williams has posted weekly on his Twitter feed asking his followers and other fans to recommend the best high school games in the Foxborough area this season. Winovich was connected to Franklin by his Michigan defensive coordinator, Dom Brown, whose son Zach coaches baseball at Franklin. In addition, jerseys from state champions across all six New England states are put on display at the Patriots’ Hall of Fame. His hard work paid off with a four-star designation and subsequent scholarship offer from Michigan. Winovich paid off the entire free and reduced lunch debt for the schools in his hometown of South Hills, Pa. Chase Winovich stats and statistics with the Michigan Wolverines. © 2020 Advance Local Media LLC. pic.twitter.com/URG75RhEz0, — Tommy Cassell (@tommycassell44) November 2, 2019. He has also been attending youth football practices in Foxborough just to watch and be around the game. The program is facilitated by Patriots’ and Pro Football Hall of Fame linebacker Andre Tippett. The rationale, of course, is that the ball could injure an unsuspecting fan. Note to readers: if you purchase something through one of our affiliate links we may earn a commission. Here’s a pregame speech from @Patriots rookie linebacker Chase Winovich (@Wino) as he gets the Franklin (@FHSSports) football team going before its Div. Chase Winovich has 1.5 sacks in his preseason debut. Powered by. Please support high-quality local journalism. Bob DeChiara/USA TODAY Sports Images, Stephon Gilmore Was Happy Giants Kept Targeting Him In Patriots Win, Jakobi Meyers, Gunner Olszewski Hope They Proved Something To Tom Brady, Why Patriots’ Jonathan Jones Reads Wide Receivers’ Facial Expressions, Patriots’ Final O-Line Combo Vs. Broncos Had Never Practiced Together, Patriots Swap One Receiver For Another On Practice Squad, Bill Belichick Praises Patriots’ Jonathan Jones For Week 6 Performance. It was the latest highlight-reel play in what’s become a standout freshman campaign for the Michigan product. The rookie linebacker gave a pregame speech to a local high school football team before a playoff game to help spark a victory. Getty With Massachusetts’ high school football playoffs beginning, Winovich visited nearby Franklin High School to give a rousing pregame speech to the members of the team ahead of their game. But even if it were lost forever, Winovich is just happy to have a sick memory. As for his talent and production (second on the team with four sacks and four tackles for loss), it’s clear the 24-year-old has all the tools to develop into a star on the Patriots defense. The coach of the week program is in its 24th season and is intertwined with the Patriots’ Charitable Foundation which donates $1,000 to the winning school’s athletic department in the coach’s name. — Chase Winovich has some lighter pockets after scoring his first touchdown in the NFL — and he couldn’t care less. ” … But when I found out about the fine in combination with the football… that might have hurt a little bit more.”. Sporting a team hat and all, Winovich got the Franklin team hyped and ready to go. The New England Patriots have always been known to be a team fully involved in the local community. “It was up there — like, someone’s gonna hit me,” a laughing Winovich said after the game. The 24-year-old, who attended Thomas Jefferson High School… But over his football career, he’s been all over the field. He plays with his hair on fire, plays every play like his last. But I didn’t know the fine was quite so steep. The Massachusetts’ state championship games are all held at Gillette Stadium over a two-day period in early December. There’s also personal memorabilia to consider, as you only get once “first touchdown” ball. He really was. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your California Privacy Rights (each updated 1/1/20). He would just take off and run, and nobody would touch him because he was so good — like 6-foot-4, 215 pounds and nobody could bring him down. After running into the end zone, an ecstatic Winovich hurled the ball into the stands, a stunt that mandates a $5,787 fine for first-time offenders. But with his size and athleticism, all the team needed to do was snap the ball to him and let him run over people. The New England Patriots rookie linebacker returned a … 250.8k Followers, 721 Following, 184 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Chase Winovich (@wino) But none of that crossed the mind of Winovich, who’s been waiting a long time for this moment. Winovich’s candor and bubbly personality are a breath of fresh air in the Patriots locker room, and should lead to him becoming a fan favorite in the near future. Winovich happy to pay his 'tax as a human': Patriots rookie outside linebacker Chase Winovich said he wasn't expecting any publicity when he paid the school … Chase Winovich led Michigan in tackles for loss (17) and quarterback hurries (5) during the 2018 season. Before he became a third-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, Winovich bounced around the Michigan roster, starting at linebacker, then moving to tight end and finally finding success at defensive end. Williams has immersed himself in the local football scene and it may have influenced Winovich to get involved himself. … The moment celebrating with my teammates in the end zone — that’s priceless. Winovich’s athleticism will be on display as he tries to work his way onto the Patriots defense as a rookie. No regrets.”. READ NEXT: Tom Brady Posts Picture of Rival QB as a Scarecrow, Patriots’ Rookie Gives Pregame Speech to High School Football Team [WATCH], Copyright © 2020 Heavy, Inc. All rights reserved. -- Chase Winovich has some lighter pockets after scoring his first touchdown in the NFL -- and he couldn't care less. All rights reserved (About Us). Winivich is one of draft's biggest steals, per PFF. Follow the Heavy on Patriots Facebook page for the latest breaking news, rumors, and content! Shoutout to my teammates for blocking the punt, blocking for me and helping me finish the play.”. Whats the best highschool football game to hit up tonight in Boston/Foxboro/Providence, — Joejuan Williams (@JoejuanW) November 1, 2019.