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‘I used to get down on myself a little bit’: Former Patriots WR opened up about criticism he faced in New England
Now a member of the Chiefs, Tyquan Thornton has been pushed into an early starting role in the 2025 season.
Tyquan Thornton’s response to his New England critics: After being selected in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft by the Patriots, wide receiver Tyquan Thornton was unable to find a consistent role in the New England offense (totaling just 39 receptions in three seasons).
Flashing forward to 2025, Thornton finds himself in a much more central role as a member of the Chiefs. Having been waived by New England in Nov. 2024, the speedy receiver initially joined Kansas City’s practice squad. But with top targets Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy currently out of the Chiefs lineup, Thornton has taken on a starting role. He’s currently tied for the most receiving yards on the team (171) through three games.
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Thornton recently caused a minor stir when he posted on X (formerly Twitter) for the first time since 2022 with a message to his critics. In a quoted tweet above a highlight of an acrobatic catch he made for Kansas City in the recent win over the Giants, he wrote: “Thank you for all the hate & doubt!“
Speaking to reporters at a recent press conference, he elaborated on the message, reflecting on his Patriots tenure.
“Sometimes it’s just timing,” Thornton said. “When I was there in New England, great time over there, I love that staff [and] players over there. I built a good bond with those guys.
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“I used to always do it in practice, but was never able to just put it on film in the game, so just staying true to myself,” he said.
“That moment was pretty huge for me because I know my time in New England while I was there, the media used to try to beat up on me a little bit,” Thornton said of his game against the Giants. “So I remember just not having the best game of my career, being a young player and going to Twitter, seeing the media just beating you up, beating you up, beating you up.”
Thornton acknowledged that the criticism affected his demeanor, but forced him to become tougher.
“I used to get down on myself a little bit, but just looking at myself in the mirror, just knowing who I truly am, keeping my head high, just keep pounding at the rock, and just keep working,” the 25-year-old said. “Now it’s a starting to show a little bit, so I just want to keep on getting better and keep on improving.”
Looking back at the earlier moment while with the Patriots, the more experienced Thornton offered some wisdom.
“If you’re a young player, I’ll give you advice; if you’re not doing well, don’t look at Twitter at all.”
Trivia: Tyquan Thornton was one of a notably long list of wide receivers selected in the first few rounds of the 2022 NFL Draft. Can you name the wide receiver who was picked first that year (the eighth overall pick)?
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(Answer at the bottom).
Hint: He went to USC, and shares a last name with a European capital.
Scores and schedules:
The Red Sox defeated the Blue Jays 7-1 on Wednesday behind Garrett Crochet’s 18th win of the season. Boston is now either one more win against Toronto or an Astros loss away from officially clinching a postseason berth.
Tonight, the Red Sox and Blue Jays conclude the three-game series in Toronto at 7:07 p.m.
On Saturday, the Revolution host Atlanta United at 7:30 p.m.
And on Sunday, the Patriots play the Panthers at Gillette Stadium at 1 p.m.
More from Boston.com:
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- Red Sox playoff picture: Wednesday’s win has Boston on brink of postseason berth
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- Stefon Diggs isn’t worried about touches, even though Drake Maye says he needs the ball more
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- Why haven’t the Patriots played Efton Chism yet? Mike Vrabel explains.
- ‘That’s the plan’: Mike Vrabel discussed Christian Gonzalez’s possible Patriots return in Week 4
- Tom Brady dismissed ‘paranoid and distrustful’ accusations over Raiders conflict of interest
- Bill Belichick, Jordon Hudson reportedly don’t plan to get married
- After years of ‘deferred maintenance,’ UMass AD Ryan Bamford announces multimillion-dollar investment in football
Raleigh’s moment: Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh joined an exclusive group of players in MLB history when he hit his 60th home of the season on Wednesday.
An unorthodox ending: Wilyer Abreu brought the Red Sox-Blue Jays game to a seemingly abrupt end when he unexpectedly threw to first base from right field in time to get Toronto’s Alejandro Kirk.
On this day: In 1983, the Patriots defeated the Steelers in Pittsburgh, 28-23. It was a steady performance from New England, with quarterback Steven Grogan finding wide receiver Stephen Starring for a 76-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter to give the Patriots the eventual win.
Daily highlight: Romy Gonzalez made an extremely difficult play look seamless in Boston’s crucial win on Wednesday night in Toronto.
Trivia answer: Drake London
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