The Patriots alum shows his alma mater some love in San Diego.
Former Central Florida Community College baseball player and current San Diego defensive back Clinton Hart broke out the old Patriots jersey for Thursday's Chargers practice.
Via Chargers.com:
The Bolts hit the field in a festive spirit thanks to a few unique looks. This summer, quarterback Philip Rivers, running back LaDainian Tomlinson and guard Kris Dielman were chatting between practices when the topic of college jerseys came up. They agreed that it would be a neat idea for the Chargers players to wear their old uniforms during a practice. Teammates liked the idea, so they decided they’d round up the jerseys and break them out for their final practice before the bye...
Tight end Antonio Gates and safety Clinton Hart had to be the most creative. Neither played college football, but both still represented their undergraduate years. Gates donned his number 44 Kent State basketball jersey, while Hart wore a blue “Patriots” baseball jersey with a red number 2 on the back. It was the uniform he wore while manning center field at Central Florida Community College...
The long weekend gives players and coaches a chance to spend time with their families and relax. Turner will head to the Bay Area tomorrow to watch his youngest son Drew play a high school game. Gordon is headed to Amite, Louisiana where he’ll escort his younger sister in his high school alma mater’s homecoming court. The bye came at the perfect time for Hart, who will fly to Florida to celebrate his daughter’s one-year birthday. Several other players are looking forward to simply watching football and enjoying San Diego.
Credit CFCC head coach Marty Smith with the assist. He explains via e-mail:
(Hart) called me Wednesday and asked me to overnight his old jersey to him so he could wear it on Thursday...He flew home Thursday after practice and he says he's going to try to come out to our game (Sunday)...It was his actual jersey that he wore when we won the state in 1998.
The Patriots host Orlando Baseball Academy in a series of games Sunday starting at 11 a.m. Admission is free.