Hockey Hall of Famer Zdeno Chara attended the New England Patriots' AFC Divisional Round game against the Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium. The former Boston Bruins captain, known for leading the team to the 2011 Stanley Cup, showed his enthusiasm for the home team in full Patriots gear. Chara shared a video message to rally New England fans ahead of the matchup.
Zdeno Chara, the towering 6-foot-9 defenseman who holds the record as the tallest player in NHL history, brought his presence to Gillette Stadium for Sunday's AFC Divisional Round playoff game. The Hockey Hall of Fame inductee from November and recent Boston Bruins banner-raiser donned a home blue No. 0 jersey honoring Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez while mingling on the sidelines.
In a video clip shared by the team, Chara energized the crowd: "Hey Patriots fans, this is Big Z. I'm super excited to be at the game. Let's go Pats!" His appearance highlighted the crossover appeal between Boston's hockey and football fandoms, especially with the stakes high—a win would send the Patriots to the AFC Championship Game.
This isn't the first link between Chara and the Patriots this postseason. Gonzalez, a rising star in the secondary, wore a Chara Bruins jersey to the team's opening-round victory over the Los Angeles Chargers the previous week, showcasing mutual admiration. Chara's tenure with the Bruins, including captaining them to Stanley Cup glory in 2011, has made him a beloved figure in New England sports culture.
Chara's support underscores the regional passion for its teams, bridging the NHL and NFL communities at a pivotal moment in the playoffs.
