Monday night was the first time the Patriots played a home game at Gillette Stadium after being eliminated from playoff contention since it opened in 2002. Sunday afternoon will be their second such game, as they wrap up the 2020 season against the Jets.
A demoralizing 38-9 loss to the Bills would seemingly make it even more challenging for Patriots players to find reasons to be motivated for their last game, but appearing on Dale and Keefe with Andy Hart and Nick Cattles on Tuesday, running back James White pushed back against that idea and said it shouldn’t be hard to get up for the game.
“It’s not hard,” White said. “Every time you step out on the field, you want to put your best foot forward and play the best you can. Whether you’re going to the playoffs or not, you’ve got to represent yourself and represent your team. I think everybody’s going to go out there and do it.”
As a veteran and team captain, White said he does feel that he and other team leaders have a responsibility to continue to set a good example for younger players and give their best effort no matter what the team’s record is.
“We definitely have to show a good example to those guys,” he said. “You never know when it’s going to be your last time stepping out on a football field, so you have to make the most of the opportunities we get. We have one more together as a team on Sunday, so I think we all just need to capitalize and have fun with it.”
While it may be hard to envision White in another uniform after seven seasons in New England, he is one of the Patriots who could be playing his last game with the team as he is set to hit free agency after the season. He said he’s not thinking about that possibility right now, though.
“I won’t be thinking about that on Sunday,” White said. “Just going out there and enjoying playing with my teammates. Nobody knows what the future holds. Have to wait and see what happens, but as of right now I’m just focused on the game on Sunday.”