NE Roots: Jermaine Wiggins on playing youth hockey in Eastie, Magic-Bird, and talking trash to Jose Canseco

The latest edition of our “New England Roots” series features former Patriots tight end Jermaine Wiggins. Wiggins grew up in East Boston before playing college football for Georgia and in the NFL. An undrafted free agent, he would go on to a nine-year career in professional football with the Jets, Patriots, Colts, Panthers, Vikings and Jaguars. A member of the 2001 Super Bowl champions — he had a 10-catch performance in the Snow Bowl playoff win over the Raiders — his greatest success came in 2004 with Minnesota when he had a career-high 71 receptions for 705 yards and four touchdowns. He currently works at a football analyst for NESN and is host of Wiggy's World podcast.


BSJ: What was your youth sports experience like in New England when you were growing up?

Jermaine Wiggins: It was excellent, as far as sports. I was a Boys & Girls Club kid in East Boston, and they provided for me — and a lot of other kids — a space where we wouldn’t have to get caught up in the drugs or the violence of the streets, all the negative stuff that might have been going on, like going to jail or being killed. We didn’t have to worry about that, because we had sports. It was about getting off the streets and having a place to go where you could feel safe and play sports with kids in your own neighborhood, or against kids in different parts of the city. That was an excellent experience for me at a young age, because it provided a place for kids like me to do and put me on the right track.

What’s your most vivid youth sports memory?

That’s a good question. I had a lot of good ones, but the one that really stands out the most for me above everything else was when I got the chance to play hockey with the East Boston Mustangs, and we won mini one-on-one. That was big time for me. Also, getting a chance to play in the Boston Neighborhood Basketball League (BNBL) in the city was huge. I was a basketball and hockey guy growing up — I really didn’t start playing football until later in life. But those were really great for me, getting a chance to play against different kids in different parts of the city — not just my own neighborhood.

Favorite Boston sports team growing up?

I would say my favorite team … I mean, I was a fan of all the teams, but really, growing up, I was a basketball kid. When I was younger, the guys who were a part of that era — Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Kevin McHale, Robert Parish, Isiah Thomas … that era of basketball was just the best. I loved watching Bird, but I was also a huge fan of Charles Barkley. I tried to mirror my game after those guys. I love Barkley.

Favorite Boston sports athlete growing up?

There were a lot of guys, but Bird, he was the man. I was also a huge fan of Reggie Lewis — he was right in my wheelhouse. I loved how he played the game. I pretended to be those guys, when you were down at the park counting down — 5, 4, 3 … ‘Wiggins takes the three.’ Whether that was a Bird step-back three-pointer or a Barkley drive to the hole, I wanted to be them.

Favorite memory of a Boston sports event?

I don’t know if it was really my favorite, but the Magic junior skyhook in the 1987 NBA Finals really stands out. That was tough as a Celtics’ fan, but I also loved Magic. It was heartbreaking and enjoyable all in one. I have to say I do remember that play well — he dribbled to the middle and just floated that skyhook out there, that baby skyhook, and it just dropped through the net. Yeah, I remember that play.

What is your favorite Boston sports venue?

The crazy thing? I never really got to experience too much of the stadiums when I was growing up. My Mom was a single parent, and she was always working, so we never got to go to Celtics or Bruins games. I do remember scrounging up money when I got older, and me and my friends would go to Fenway when they had $10 bleacher seats. I remember going when they played Oakland when they had Jose Canseco and Rickey Henderson and talking a whole bunch of trash to the guys the outfield.

Boston sports team you keep the most track of?

Now, it’s the Patriots and Celtics. I mean, I follow the Bruins and Red Sox — some of my best friends are diehard Red Sox fans. But I really pay close attention to the Patriots and Celtics. Some of it is for work, but a lot of it is for fun.

As a sports fan, what do you like the most about New England?

I love all the winning. That’s what I love the most as a fan. I love all the winning. I love talking trash to people from other places, and I love all the parades. That’s the best thing about being a New England sports fan right now. As a fan, as far as ownership goes, putting a championship team on the field all the time, that’s all we want. Anything else? That’s a lost year. I want to have bragging rights. That’s the best thing, and what I love the most about being a New England sports fan.