Former Colts Wide Receiver Griff Whalen Signs with Patriots

Oct 18, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Griff Whalen (17) runs with the ball against the New England Patriots during the NFL game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 18, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Griff Whalen (17) runs with the ball against the New England Patriots during the NFL game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
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According to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport, the New England Patriots are signing free agent wide receiver Griff Whalen to fill-in for injured wideout Danny Amendola:

Not only does Whalen now comprise part of a long list of former Indianapolis Colts wide receivers to have joined the Patriots organization including Anthony Gonzalez, Austin Collie, and Reggie Wayne (gulp), but he also has had a history against the Horseshoe’s arch-nemesis prior.

Yes, we’re talking about the worst play in special teams history here:

Last season, Whalen was the infamous ‘center’ on one of the most botched special teams trick plays of all-time during the Patriots 34-27 win in Week 6 of last season, when he inexplicably snapped the football to safety turned ‘quarterback’ Colt Anderson–who was immediately tackled by two (shocked) New England defenders.

Nov 13, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers wide receiver Griff Whalen (83) catches a pass before the game against the Miami Dolphins at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 13, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers wide receiver Griff Whalen (83) catches a pass before the game against the Miami Dolphins at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /

Of course, it overshadows the fact that Whalen has actually carved out a nice NFL career as a backup wide receiver and special teams returnman since entering the league out of Stanford as an undrafted free agent in 2012.

In fact, he actually caught a touchdown against the Patriots in that very same ‘special teams gaffe’ game that no one seems to remember.

Whalen most recently played with the San Diego Chargers this season, but has also spent time with of course the Colts, as well as the Miami Dolphins organization.

The 5th-year wide receiver has 47 receptions for 509 receiving yards and 3 touchdown receptions in 41 career games (3 starts)–nearly all of which came with the Colts, as he had just 2 receptions for 22 receiving yards while with the Chargers.

The 26 year old wide receiver will join quarterback Tom Brady on a 10-2 Patriots team that is primed for another deep playoff run–at least until potentially Amendola returns.