Chris Hogan's Self-Motivation Has Gotten Him From North Jersey To The Super Bowl

WYCKOFF, N.J. — To understand Chris Hogan's drive to succeed on the football field, first you must know Hogan off the field.

Kevin Callahan, Hogan's coach from Mommouth University, knows Hogan that way.

"He's very genuine, very sincere, very loyal," Callahan said. "He holds himself accountable for what he does. If he tells you he's going to do something, he's going to do it."

The Ramapo High School alumnus will play for the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LI Sunday. He had the game of his life in the AFC Championship Game, racking up 180 receiving yards and scoring two touchdowns.

Hogan used to be just an anonymous lacrosse player. He played three years before going to Mommouth for his lone season of collegiate football. Now, he's the darling of the NFL, getting ready to live every kid's dream: Playing in the Super Bowl and catching touchdown passes from Tom Brady.

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"It's a neat experience for me, but I think I do a pretty good job of not letting things distract me from what I want to do and what I want to accomplish as a football player," Hogan told ESPN. "This is a dream come true, playing in the Super Bowl, so there's nothing that will distract me from putting in the work."

And work he has.

"The first time he practiced with our team was during the preseason where, within a matter of days, he established himself as one of our best players," Callahan said. "His first ever collegiate reception was for a touchdown."

Hogan only had 11 other catches that season. He was cut by three NFL teams in 14 months, but eventually got on with the Buffalo Bills. Patriots coach Bill Belichick gave Hogan a $12 million, three-year contract.

Hogan's success at the pro level is no surprise to Callahan.

"You're seeing a very driven, very talented athlete who can adapt to any situation," Callahan said.

After the Patriots' win, Hogan's agent, Art Weiss, received 200 media requests and several endorsement offers, ESPN reported, saying it was a "tsunami of activity."

Callahan expects Hogan's success to continue, with or without a win Sunday.

"It's a testament to who Chris Hogan is and whatever went into making him who he is," Callahan said. "He has the drive and determination to succeed and that he's not going to be denied."

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Photo: Chris Hogan when he was a player with the Buffalo Bills. — By Jeffrey Beall, used with permission via Creative Commons license