Texans cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. brings family history to New England

Derek Stingley Jr., the All-Pro cornerback for the Houston Texans who will be lining up against the New England Patriots on Sunday, has family ties to the Pats organization.His grandfather, Darryl Stingley, played for the Patriots in the 1970s.The elder Stingley was a star wide receiver drafted in the first round of the 1973 NFL Draft.He played 60 games over five seasons with the team, grabbing 110 catches for 14 touchdowns.Stingley’s career came to a premature end after he was paralyzed from the neck down in a preseason game in 1978.He was hit by Oakland Raiders safety Jack Tatum, known for his aggressive style.The Stingley hit prompted Gene Upshaw, NFL Hall of Fame guard for the Raiders and later NFLPA President, to push for teams to set aside benefits for disabled players.Stingley continued to work as a consultant for the Patriots in his post-playing career and even turned to advocacy.Derek Stingley Jr., who was drafted third overall in 2022, told reporters he doesn’t have many memories of his grandfather, who died in 2007.Stingley Jr. said his father didn’t talk about Darryl’s injury much, but told his son to trust his techniques and to protect himself.Kickoff for Sunday’s game is at 3 p.m.

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. —

Derek Stingley Jr., the All-Pro cornerback for the Houston Texans who will be lining up against the New England Patriots on Sunday, has family ties to the Pats organization.

His grandfather, Darryl Stingley, played for the Patriots in the 1970s.

The elder Stingley was a star wide receiver drafted in the first round of the 1973 NFL Draft.

He played 60 games over five seasons with the team, grabbing 110 catches for 14 touchdowns.

Stingley’s career came to a premature end after he was paralyzed from the neck down in a preseason game in 1978.

He was hit by Oakland Raiders safety Jack Tatum, known for his aggressive style.

The Stingley hit prompted Gene Upshaw, NFL Hall of Fame guard for the Raiders and later NFLPA President, to push for teams to set aside benefits for disabled players.

Stingley continued to work as a consultant for the Patriots in his post-playing career and even turned to advocacy.

Derek Stingley Jr., who was drafted third overall in 2022, told reporters he doesn’t have many memories of his grandfather, who died in 2007.

Stingley Jr. said his father didn’t talk about Darryl’s injury much, but told his son to trust his techniques and to protect himself.

Kickoff for Sunday’s game is at 3 p.m.