FOXBORO, Mass. — New England Patriots fans can thank Adam Sandler the first time Trey Flowers sacks an opposing quarterback.
Flowers, who the Patriots selected out of Arkansas with the 101st overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, said he grew up watching “The Waterboy” and channels Bobby Boucher when he’s out on the field.
“I think it just comes with the love of the game,” Flowers said Saturday in a conference call about his high motor. “Obviously I’ve been loving the game since I stepped foot on the field at 7 years old. I just love the contact, the passion and the energy that comes with it. I love the physical part in it. I just take myself, prior to the game or within the game, and just take myself to an angry place. I use that as fuel to fuel my energy and fuel by passion.
“I actually grew up watching The Waterboy, so I guess I got that kinda visualizing the attack mentality. He just taught me to go crazy out there. I just take myself to a place and just attack, as he says.”
The new Patriots defensive end discussed his favorite scene in the 1998 Sandler film.
“It’s gotta be — I actually imitated this in middle school — he’s playing middle linebacker, and he’s visualizing, I think the quarterback says something about his mama,” Flowers said. “And he’s just walking around going crazy, ripping his shirt. He’s just jumping over the offensive line and hit the quarterback. I tried to emulate that in high school and middle school, and it worked out.
“I hit somebody and did the little Waterboy shriek. I kinda have fun with that a lot.”
Flowers was extremely productive during his time with the Razorbacks. Perhaps more pass rushers should study Boucher’s tape with the South Central Louisiana State University Mud Dogs.
Thumbnail photo via Nelson Chenault/USA TODAY Sports Images
