Patrick Chung grew into his game

By Gary Dzen

January 27, 2012

2 minutes to read

By Gary Dzen, Globe Staff

Patrick Chung is known around the NFL as a big hitter. But the Patriots safety grew into that reputation, starting his football career as a player smaller than his competitors when he made his high school’s freshman football team at the age of twelve.

“We didn’t realize how young he was,” said Chris Vanduin, who coached Chung at Rancho Cucamonga High School in California. “He never shied away from anything, but he was giving up so much weight. At that time he was using his speed.”

Chung grew up in Jamaica and moved to California when he was 10-years-old. His mother was an accomplished reggae singer in Jamaica. He didn’t try football until he went out for that freshman team.

“One day he came and said, ‘Dad, I’m going to try out for football,’ “his father Ronald told the Globe after Chung was drafted by the Patriots in 2009. “I said, go ahead. Then he came to me and said, ‘Daddy, I’m going to make the team.’ I said, yeah, right. I went up there to watch him, and he was killing everybody.”

Chung grew into his 5-foot-11-inch, 212-pound body during his senior year, according to his coach. He also had good mentors to look up to, including fellow Rancho defensive back Terrell Thomas, who ended up making the NFL and playing for the Giants (he is out for the season with an injury). Chung had interest from Boise State, but representatives from Oregon came to watch other Rancho players, and they kept asking who the small kid was who was making all those big plays. Chung ended up committing to the Ducks.

“I always admired his drive to be a better player and student,” said Sherry Berwick, who taught Patrick in an economics course at Rancho. “His strong work ethic allowed him to excel.”

Chung worked his way to a stellar career at Oregon, where he was two-time first-team All-Pac-10 selection. He finished his college career with 384 tackles and was a second-round pick of the Patriots in 2009. He seems to have the high character that the Patriots seek in their players, and several people from his high school days mentioned his devotion to his family.

His younger sister, Petra, said the family is excited to watch Chung play in the Super Bowl, a sentiment echoed by Chung’s former coach.

“It’s a joy to watch a young man who did everything the right way be rewarded with that opportunity,” said Vanduin.

Chung was limited to eight games this season because of a foot injury, but he still managed 62 tackles, one pick, and one sack. He’s the team’s best option at safety against what should be a potent Giants passing attack.

Check out our Boston.com photo gallery for more high school photos and stories about other Patriots players. There’s also a longer profile of Tom Brady in today’s Globe.