This 5-foot-8 Patriots receiver always knew he'd make it to the Super Bowl

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This 5-foot-8 Patriots receiver always knew he'd make it to the Super Bowl

Mark Daniels · MassLive

Wed, Feb 4, 2026 ·

3 min read

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SANTA CLARA, Calif. – He’s been in the NFL for three years, but it still surprises DeMario Douglas when he’s recognized in public. The Patriots receiver hasn’t quite become accustomed to the small amount of fame that his profession brings.

That doesn’t mean he’s surprised to be here.

After playing collegiately at Liberty and being drafted in the sixth round, Douglas was viewed as a long shot for the NFL. That view only came from the outside because internally, this 5-foot-8 slot receiver always believed he’d be playing on the game’s biggest stage.

Douglas, 26, will play in his first Super Bowl this weekend when the Patriots take on the Seattle Seahawks . That, he says, he always knew would happen.

“Oh man, I expected to be here,” Douglas said. “Not knowing when, but definitely expected to be here. I knew at some point in my career, we’d be in these shoes.”

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For Douglas, the opportunity means everything.

Drafted by Bill Belichick in 2023, the sixth-round pick became one of the team’s best feel-good stories in training camp. Douglas quickly proved to be an under-the-radar gem, finishing with 49 receptions and 561 yards as a rookie.

Last year, during the team’s 4-win season, the receiver finished with a team-high 66 receptions, to go with 621 receiving yards and three touchdowns.

In the offseason, the Patriots reinforced their receiver depth chart, signing veterans Stefon Diggs and Mack Hollins . Douglas became the fourth receiving option this season, finishing with 31 catches, 447 yards, and three touchdowns. He and the other receivers have been lauded for their selflessness this season.

For the Jacksonville native, a chance to experience the Super Bowl festivities this week in the Bay Area has been surreal.

“It’s been crazy just to be here,” Douglas said. “There are a lot of things going on back-to-back-to-back. It’s a great experience.”

Growing up, Douglas always envisioned playing in the NFL. At Liberty, he used to tell his college teammates that he believed he’d play at the highest level. The odds were stacked against him, but the pint-sized receiver forged ahead and made his dreams come true.

That’ll continue this weekend at Super Bowl 60. A standout performance could elevate his profile even further.

“I’ve always been the one under that rug, but I’ve always been that baller,” Douglas said. “It’s a blessing just to have fans. I walk around, and somebody says my name, and I’m like, ‘For real?’ It’s crazy. I’m still getting the hang of it.”

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