Patrick Chung

Patrick Chung was signed by the New England Patriots as a free agent on April 3, 2014 ... Originally drafted by New England in the second round (34th overall) of the 2009 NFL Draft ... Signed by Philadelphia as an unrestricted free agent from New England (3/12/13) ... Released by Philadelphia (3/11/14).

CAREER TRANSACTIONS

Patrick Chung was signed by the New England Patriots as a free agent on April 3, 2014 ... Originally drafted by New England in the second round (34th overall) of the 2009 NFL Draft ... Signed by Philadelphia as an unrestricted free agent from New England (3/12/13) ... Released by Philadelphia (3/11/14).

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

• Three-time Super Bowl champion.
• Selected to the New England Patriots 2010s All-Decade Team at safety.
• Only player in NFL history to appear in the playoffs in each of his first 11 seasons and joins Tom Brady and Matthew Slater as the only players in NFL history to play in 11 consecutive postseasons overall (2009-19).

SEASONAL REVIEWS

2020 (0/0)

• Exercised his Reserve/Opt-Out decision and will not play this season.

2019 (13/12, 1/1)

• Played in 13 regular-season games with 12 starts at safety. Posted 51 tackles and three passes defensed as part of a team that finished No. 1 in the NFL in total defense (275.9 yards per game) and scoring (14.1 points allowed per game).
• Started at safety and made one tackle before exiting the game due to injury in the AFC Wild Card loss vs. Tennessee (1/4).
• Was inactive at Washington (10/6), at N.Y. Jets (10/21) and at Philadelphia (11/17) due to injury.
• Started at safety and contributed with six total tackles and a key pass defense on a fourth-down attempt that helped lead to a Patriots field goal at the end of the first half in the season-opening victory vs. Pittsburgh (9/8).
• Contributed on defense with three tackles as part of a defensive unit that surrendered only 184 yards of total offense in the victory at Miami (9/15).
• Returned from injury and started at safety, recording a season-high seven tackles in the win vs. Dallas (11/24).

2018 (15/14, 3/3)

• Named a co-captain for the first time in his career.
• Started at safety and finished with a combined four tackles in the season-opening victory vs. Houston (9/9).
• Made the start at safety and totaled three tackles in the first half at Jacksonville (9/16) before being ruled out for the entire second half due to injury.
• Missed the game at Detroit (9/23) due to injury.
• Returned from injury and started at safety, finishing with four total tackles as part of a secondary that held QB Ryan Tannehill to just 100 yards passing in the victory vs. Miami (9/30).
• Started at safety and was a key contributor on defense, finishing with 11 tackles total, a half-sack of QB Andrew Luck and a second-quarter interception that led to a New England field goal to add to the lead before halftime of the victory vs. Indianapolis (10/4).
• Made the start at safety and had two tackles while also contributing on special teams with two special teams tackles in the victory vs. Kansas City (10/14).
• Started and finished with a team-high seven tackles, while also adding a pass defensed during the victory at Chicago (10/21).
• Made the start at safety and finished with five tackles and a pass defensed, while also recovering a third quarter fumble by QB Derek Anderson that led to a Patriots field goal on the ensuing possession during the win at Buffalo (10/29).
• Started at safety and finished with six total tackles in the victory vs. Green Bay (11/4).
• Made the start at safety and finished with four tackles in the game at Tennessee (11/11).
• Started at safety and finished with a game-high 13 combined tackles during the victory at the New York Jets (11/25).
• Started at safety and finished with a combined three tackles in the victory vs. Minnesota (12/2).
• Contributed on defense with four tackles in the game at Miami (12/9).
• Started and made five tackles at Pittsburgh (12/16).
• Made the start at safety and finished with a team-high seven tackles in the win vs. Buffalo (12/23).
• Started at safety and finished with two tackles while also contributing on special teams with one special teams tackle in the win vs. the New York Jets (12/30).
• Made the start at safety and finished with six tackles while adding another on special teams in the AFC Divisional Playoff win vs. L.A. Chargers (1/13).
• Started at safety and made two tackles in the AFC Championship victory at Kansas City (1/20).
• Started at safety and made three tackles, had one pass defensed and added a special teams tackle before the exiting the game due to injury early in the third quarter of the Super Bowl LIII victory vs. the Los Angeles Rams (2/3).

2017 (16/11, 3/3)

• Played all 16 regular-season games with 11 starts and finished second on the team with 78 tackles. Also tallied one interception, nine passes defensed, two fumble recoveries and six special teams tackles.
• Added one punt return for zero yards and returned one kickoff for 4 yards.
• Started all three postseason contests and led the team with 20 tackles. Also totaled two tackles on special teams.
• Started at safety and tied for the team lead with eight tackles while adding a pass defensed in the victory at New Orleans (9/17). Also performed punt return duties with two fair catches and one punt returned for zero yards.
• Posted four tackles, an interception he returned 30 yards and a pass defensed in the fourth quarter of the victory at Denver (11/12).
• Started and led the team with nine tackles, while also adding a key fumble recovery late in the second quarter with the Raiders driving inside the red zone that allowed the Patriots to regain possession and add a field goal before the end of the first half to extend their lead in the 33-8 victory at Oakland (11/19) in Mexico City.
• Started at safety and finished tied for the team lead with nine tackles, while adding a fumble recovery in the victory vs. Miami (11/26). Also added a special teams tackle.
• Started at safety and finished with a team-high nine tackles, while also contributing on special teams with one tackle in Super Bowl LII vs. Philadelphia (2/4).

2016 (16/16, 3/3)

• Started all 16 regular-season games at safety and tallied 87 tackles, one sack, one interception for four yards, three passes defensed and four special teams tackles.
• Started all three playoff games and totaled 14 tackles, two passes defensed and four special teams tackles.
• Picked off QB Charlie Whitehurst in the third quarter of the win at Cleveland (10/9) for his first interception of the season and his first since 2014. Also added six tackles.
• Led the team with a season-high 10 tackles in the win at Pittsburgh (10/23), to mark his eighth career game with 10-plus tackles. Also added two passes defensed and a tackle on special teams.
• Led the team with eight tackles in the win at San Francisco (11/20). Registered his first sack of the season and first since 2011 when he dropped quarterback Colin Kaepernick for a 12-yard sack in the first quarter.
• Posted a team-high nine tackles in the win vs. Baltimore (12/12) and recovered an onside kick with just over two minutes remaining in the game to help the Patriots run out the clock and secure the win.
• Totaled four defensive tackles and two special teams tackles in the Divisional Round victory vs. Houston (1/14).
• Registered five total defensive tackles, two passes defensed and one special teams tackle in the Super Bowl LI victory vs. Atlanta (2/5).

2015 (15/14, 2/2)

• Played in 15 regular-season games with 14 starts and recorded 82 tackles, nine passes defensed, one forced fumble and three special teams tackles. Also returned one kickoff for 17 yards and one punt for four yards.
• Started both playoff games and totaled 14 tackles.
• Was inactive at N.Y. Jets (12/27) due to injury and played but did not start at Houston (12/13), while working back from injury.
• Started at safety and recorded a season-high 10 tackles on defense and two special teams tackles in the win at N.Y. Giants (11/15).
• Started at safety and recorded five tackles and one pass defensed at Denver (11/29). Also contributed on special teams, returning the first punt of his NFL career for four yards in the third quarter.
• Recorded seven tackles before leaving the game in the fourth quarter with a hip injury vs. Tennessee (12/20).
• Recorded a single-game playoff career-high nine tackles in the Divisional playoff victory vs. Kansas City (1/18).

2014 (16/15, 3/3)

• Appeared in all 16 regular-season games with 15 starts and was third on the team with 89 tackles. Also had one interception and seven passes defensed and returned seven kickoffs for 140 yards.
• Started all three postseason contests and made 10 tackles.
• Did not start vs. Miami (12/14), when the defense opened in a special nickel package.
• Registered a season-high nine tackles vs. Kansas City (9/19).
• Recovered his first career fumble in the regular season vs. Detroit (12/8).
• Started at safety in the season opener at Miami (9/7) and recorded eight tackles. Also lined up to return kicks for the first time in his NFL career and returned his first kickoff 30 yards.
• Started at safety and led the team with nine tackles, including two for losses, in the win at Buffalo (10/12). Also returned two kickoffs for 29 yards.
• Started at safety and finished second on the team with a season-high 11 tackles at Green Bay (11/30).
• Recorded his first interception of the season when he picked off a Ryan Tannehill pass and returned it to the Dolphins 27-yard line in the win vs. Miami (12/14). Tom Brady threw a touchdown pass on the very next play. Also led the team with 10 tackles and two passes defensed.
• Posted a then single-game career playoff high seven tackles in the Divisional Playoff win vs. Baltimore (1/10).

2013 (12/10, 1/1 - Philadelphia)

• Appeared in 12 regular-season games with 10 starts and compiled 56 tackles, seven passes defensed and one fumble recovery.
• Played in one postseason game vs. New Orleans (1/4) and posted four tackles.
• Inactive due to injury at Denver (9/29), at N.Y. Giants (10/6), vs. Dallas (10/20) and vs. N.Y. Giants (10/27).
• Registered a season-high nine tackles vs. Kansas City (9/19).
• Recovered his first career fumble in the regular season vs. Detroit (12/8).

2012 (12/8, 2/0)

• Played in 12 games with eight starts, finishing the season with 56 tackles, two interceptions, five passes defensed and two special teams tackles.
• Began the season starting at safety and with injuries and the addition of Aqib Talib, finished the year in a reserve role.
• Played in a reserve role in both playoff games but did not record any statistics.
• Inactive due to injury vs. Indianapolis (11/18), vs. Buffalo (11/11), at St. Louis (10/28) and vs. N.Y. Jets (10/21).
• Compiled a season-high eight tackles and one pass defensed in the win at Buffalo (9/30).
• Started at safety in the win vs. Miami (12/30) and at Jacksonville (12/23) after an injury to Aqib Talib forced Devin McCourty to shift to left cornerback.
• Tallied a single game career-high two interceptions, both coming in the fourth quarter and the second as time expired to seal the win at Jacksonville (12/23). Also posted seven tackles.

2011 (8/8, 3/3)

• Played in eight games and finished the season with 67 tackles, one sack, one interception and four passes defensed.
• Started all three playoff games including Super Bowl XLVI and made 15 tackles and defensed one pass.
• Missed eight games due to injury.
• Intercepted a pass in the end zone to end a Raiders drive and lead to a Stephen Gostkowski field goal to end the first half at Oakland (10/2).
• Led the team in tackles for the third straight week with a career high 15 at Pittsburgh (10/30), adding one pass defensed and a special teams tackle.
• Tallied six tackles and a pass defensed in Super Bowl XLVI vs. N.Y. Giants (2/5).

2010 (14/13, 1/1)

• Played in 14 games with 13 starts and finished the season with a career-high three interceptions - one of which he returned for a touchdown - and career-best 89 tackles (second on the team) and nine passes defended.
• Was inactive vs. Minnesota (10/13) and at Cleveland (11/7) due to injury.
• Made his first career playoff start vs. N.Y. Jets (1/16).
• Led the team with 14 tackles at N.Y. Jets (9/19).
• In his third start of the season vs. Buffalo (9/26), intercepted a Ryan Fitzpatrick pass in the end zone and returned it 26 yards.
• Recorded his first blocked punt and blocked field goal at Miami (10/4), and became the first player to block a punt and field goal in the same game since Houston's Ramon Walker vs. New England (11/23/03). Blocked a second half punt to give the Patriots a first down at the Miami 15-yard line to set up a 12-yard TD run by BenJarvus Green-Ellis. He also blocked a 53-yard field goal attempt in the fourth quarter that was recovered and returned for a touchdown by Kyle Arrington.
• Recorded his first interception return for a touchdown when he picked off a Chad Henne pass in the fourth quarter and returned it 51 yards for a TD at Miami (10/4). He registered seven tackles and one special teams tackle in the game.
• Was dominant in his return to action after missing two games with an injury, leading the team with 10 tackles and one special teams tackle and recording one pass defensed in a 39-26 win at Pittsburgh (11/14).
• Recorded his career-high third interception of the season in the second quarter at Buffalo (12/26), which he returned 19 yards to help set up a touchdown for a 24-3 halftime lead in a 34-3 win.

2009 (16/1, 1/0)

• Played in 16 games with one start and finished the season with 26 total tackles, two sacks, one interception, one pass defensed and 13 special teams tackles.
• Recorded his first career interception in the Patriots 59-0 victory vs. Tennessee (10/18), picking off a Vince Young pass in the fourth quarter.
• Registered his first career sack at Tampa Bay (10/25) in the Patriots 35-7 win at London's Wembley Stadium, dropping Josh Johnson for a 5-yard loss in the second quarter.
• Made his first start at Indianapolis (11/15), in a nickel defense.

COLLEGE

• Started in all 51 games in which he appeared at Oregon and finished his career as the program's fourth-best tackler (384), which ranks first in school annals among non-linebackers.
• Registered nine career interceptions for 107 yards and one touchdown.
• Twice named Oregon's special teams player of the year and a first-team All-Pac 10 special teams honoree.
• Participated in more than 100 plays in a game on four occasions.
• Finished his senior campaign as the team's third-leading tackler (92) and recorded one interception, which he returned 31 yards for a touchdown.
• Recorded a team-leading 117 tackles, the highest total by an Oregon defensive back in 13 seasons, and was named a second-team All-America honoree as a junior.
• As a sophomore, he helped stabilize a young secondary that completed the regular season ranked 10th in the country in pass defense.
• Earned first-team freshman All-America honors by The Sporting News and Rivals.com, and was also picked as the Pac 10's defensive freshman of the year by The Sporting News.
• Following his freshman season, was the recipient of the school's Len Casanova Award as the program's top newcomer.
• Redshirted as a freshman after arriving on campus at the age of 16.

EXTRA POINTS

• Patrick's mother, Sophia George, was a recording artist in Jamaica. Her hit single, 'Girlie, Girlie' – a traditional reggae song, topped the charts in 1985.
• Patrick cites his Jamaican ancestry as the inspiration for his love of cooking. "I come from a Jamaican background. Food is huge," said Chung, who in 2018 helped prepare a favorite recipe of his at Davio's Northern Italian Steakhouse.

JOURNEY TO THE NFL

Long before Patrick Chung picked up flag football as a teen, his mother, Jamaican recording artist Sophia George, had preached about being a tough man in a song. Her hit single, "Girlie Girlie" – a traditional reggae song about poking fun at a boy who was not man enough – topped the charts in 1985. Chung is aware that despite his many talents, singing is not one of them. Chung, who possesses a great sense of pride in his unique heritage – his mother is Jamaican and his father is half Jamaican and half Chinese - was born in Jamaica and moved to California at age 12, where he started to play football as a freshman in high school. Chung went on to star at Oregon, where he holds the distinction of starting more games than any other defensive player in school history with 51 starts. He thought about turning pro as a junior, but ultimately decided to return for his senior season.
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PERSONAL

• Patrick Christopher Chung was born on Aug. 19, 1987, in Kingston, Jamaica to Sophia George-Chung and Ronald Chung and has seven siblings.
• Attended Rancho Cucamonga High School and excelled at wide receiver and free safety.
• Chung possesses a great sense of pride in his unique heritage. His mother is Jamaican and his father is half Jamaican and half Chinese. Patrick was born in Jamaica and moved to California at age 12 and started playing football as a freshman in high school.
• Has a son, Taj James Chung, born Sept. 18, 2010.
• Majored in political science at Oregon.