Asante Samuel Returns to New England, Gets Booed, Connects With Former Coach

For five years Asante Samuel was a key cog in the Patriots secondary, shutting down his side of the field and snatching interceptions by the boatload (27, to be exact, including five in the post-season). Of course, Patriots fans might remember the interception he didn't make more than the ones he did make, and perhaps that explains, at least in part, the cold shoulder he received in his return.

Last night, Samuel, now sporting Philadelphia green-and-white after signing a massive contract as a free agent, made his first appearance in his former stomping grounds. And it would seem the once friendly confines of Gillette Stadium aren't quite as friendly as they once were. Case in point, from Baxter Holmes at today's Boston Globe

Samuel returned to Gillette Stadium last night, and though he wasn't the star he was in last year's regular-season game between the teams (the Eagles' special teams outshined everyone last night), he still received an introduction that, if anything, showed how little fans remembered of his five years with the Patriots.
"I was kind of doing an interview on the sideline with somebody, some TV network, and they were chanting [negatively] over there," Samuel said after the game.

Samuel then turned somewhat philosophical in explaining the emotions the fans were going through:

"They love to hate me," he said. "They love me, they miss me, but I'm not with them so they hate me."

So, how does one respond to the negative reaction? Naturally, by heading over to your former locker room and grabbing a bite to eat.

"You think they'll let me go to the New England side and get something to eat? I'm starving," he said.
(Samuel was seen heading out of the Patriots' buffet after postgame interviews.)

Nice.

Of course, it wasn't all boos and catcalls for the former Super Bowl champion. The usually reserved, and perpetually angry, Bill Belichick approached his former pupil after the game, arms open, and shared a special, tender moment with Samuel on the field. Mike Reiss with the loving details.