Kayshon Boutte of the Patriots celebrates rookie Nick DeGennaro's first touchdown by presenting him with the ball
Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images
The [New England Patriots](/nfl/new-england-patriots) are hoping to pick up where they left off last year when they rose from worst to first in the AFC East and won the AFC Championship. Much of their success was due to the combination of head coach Mike Vrabel and quarterback [Drake Maye](/tag/drake-maye). The pair led the Patriots to the kind of success that Patriots Nation was dreaming about but did not think was realistic.
If there was one area that the Patriots wanted to change in the 2026 season it was the crew of wide receivers. While the production of wideouts Stefon Diggs and Kayshon Boutte was good last season, the Pats wanted a superstar wideout. They added A.J. Brown from the Philadelphia Eagles and they supplemented that by adding Romeo Doubs from the Green Bay Packers.
As a result of those additions, the Pats parted company with Diggs and Boutte may no longer be in the Patriots' long-term plans. However, Boutte recognized rookie Nick DeGennaro's first TD reception of his career in Saturday night's preseason game against the Eagles.
After DeGennaro caught the game-winning TD pass from Patriots rookie quarterback and likely third-stringer Behren Morton, he spiked the ball on the ground as part of his celebration.
Article Continues Below
Boutte was not about to let the ball and the play get overlooked. He picked up the loose ball in the end zone and then he made sure that DeGennaro had the ball and recognized his accomplishment.
He looked seriously at DeGennaro as if he made a mistake and then celebrated with him. “Don’t ever drop your ball on the ground,” Boutte said. “This is your FIRST touchdown catch.”
It was a kind and generous move by a receiver who showed respect for a rookie who may be a longshot to make the team.