New England Patriots rookie kicker Justin Rohrwasser says a tattoo on his left arm just isn’t meant to represent the markings of “The Three Percenters,” a right-wing militia group that first fashioned in 2008, and that he plans to get it lined up.
The Patriots chosen Rohrwasser on Saturday with the No. 159 general choose within the fifth spherical of the NFL draft.
“I received that tattoo once I was an adolescent and I’ve lots of household within the navy. I assumed it stood for a military-support image on the time,” Rohrwasser mentioned throughout an introductory convention name with reporters. “Clearly, it is developed into one thing that I don’t wish to signify. After I look again on it, I ought to have performed far more analysis earlier than I put any mark or image like that on my physique, and it is not one thing I ever wish to signify. It will likely be lined.”
On its web site, the Three Percenters group says it is not an anti-government militia however “we’ll defend ourselves when essential.”
The 23-year-old Rohrwasser, who’s from Clifton Park, New York, described himself to reporters as “a tough employee and someone who’s going to chase after the very best model of themselves and an excellent teammate.”
The Patriots wish to exchange all-time main scorer Stephen Gostkowski after releasing him in March. Rohrwasser was the primary kicker chosen within the draft.
At Marshall, he was named Convention USA Particular Groups Participant of the 12 months in 2019 after changing 18 of 21 discipline targets with a protracted of 53 yards, whereas going 35-of-36 further factors. Previous to transferring to Marshall, he attended the College of Rhode Island in 2015 and 2016, noting how the campus was buzzing throughout the Patriots’ run to the Tremendous Bowl championship in his ultimate 12 months there.
Rohrwasser mentioned Patriots special-teams coach Cameron Achord attended his professional day in early March, and the 2 stayed in touch main as much as the draft. He additionally mentioned the Patriots gave him a psychological take a look at.
“That stood out to me, as a result of I feel that kicking, lots of it’s psychological,” he mentioned. “The very fact they have been wanting into that, and what my psychological make-up was … I feel they put lots of consideration to who the participant is as an individual to determine what sort of man they’re getting.”
The Related Press contributed to this report.