Donte Stallworth Says Reunion With Patriots Is a Dream Come True

by Jeff Howe on Tue, May 15, 2012 at 2:04PM

FOXBORO, Mass. — It took about a week for wide receiver Donte Stallworth to let it settle in that he's finally returned to the Patriots.

That's been a goal of his since the two sides parted ways in 2008. Stallworth really wanted to return to New England in 2011, but the interest wasn't reciprocal. That changed this offseason, and Stallworth said Tuesday it's been a dream come true.

"It was interesting," Stallworth said of the first time he walked back into the locker room after re-signing. "It was a little weird feeling. It was kind of surreal. But honestly, I think it took about a week or so to get adjusted and to really realize that, hey, I really am back. It's not just a dream. It's been good being back and seeing a lot of the same, familiar faces — friendly faces. So it's been good. It's been five years, but not much has changed other than all the restaurants and stuff around here. That's a big difference."

Stallworth said he's stayed in touch with quarterback Tom Brady over the years, and he's still got a good amount of friends on the team, which made the reunion all the more appealing.

"I've always had a lot of respect for Mr. [Robert] Kraft, and really the whole organization and a lot of the players here," Stallworth said. "[I've] still got a lot of friends on the team, so I just thought that it made a lot of sense for me to come back here and try to help this team win some ballgames."

Photo via Twitter/@jeffphowe

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