Former Patriots wide receiver Chris Hogan will be returning to Gillette Stadium this weekend, just not wearing football pads.
The former wide receiver will be in lacrosse gear as he suits up for the Boston Cannons in the Premiere Lacrosse League. The PLL will kick off its season with games over the weekend.
"It was nice to come back to somewhere where I felt very comfortable. I've spent some time in some locker rooms that I've never been in before, but getting to see the guys again while they're here for OTAs and some of the people that I've known around the building that are still here," Hogan said to Patriots.com's Angelique Fiske. "It's a lot of fun, and it's really cool for me. For this whole thing to come full circle … and play on a field that I have so many great memories, and I just get the chance to make some new ones."
Hogan admitted the last few seasons in the NFL were tough and transitioning back to lacrosse, which is played in college, was the right thing to do for he and his family.
"It was a lot that went into it. Obviously, football has an expiration date. I wasn't going to play that forever. The last couple years were tough. I think for me it was a decision that was based around my family and my health," he said. "I knew if I played lacrosse I was going to be able to spend a lot more time with my wife and my kids. I think that played a big role in that since for the last 10 years I've spent months and months away from them."
With a number of his former teammates participating in OTAs at the stadium, it wouldn't be a surprise to see a few of them stick around to see Hogan in action.
"They found out I was playing lacrosse and I think it was just something that they tried to jump behind and they supported my decision," Hogan said. "They're excited for me to get out there and do something a little different ... A lot of them don't know anything about lacrosse so we're going to try to create some more fans this weekend."