Patriots
“You live and you learn. Like coach says, you don’t want to make the same mistake twice.”
Patriots receiver Kayshon Boutte spoke to reporters Sunday for the first time since his gambling charges were dropped.
Boutte, who is entering his second season with the Patriots, said he felt relieved to be back on the field without having to deal with the legal situation.
“It feels great,” Boutte said. “I’ll say a lot was going on during the offseason, but now I’m back focused. It’s only football from here. It feels good not thinking about what’s going to happen every day, just coming out and playing free.”
Boutte was arrested on suspicion of underage gambling and computer fraud in January. According to police, Boutte placed more than 8,900 wagers between April 6, 2022, and May 7, 2023, while he was a student at LSU.
The bets were allegedly placed before Boutte turned 21, and police said he used an alias to circumvent the age requirement.
“It was a dumb decision that I made when I was young,” Boutte said. “Unfortunately it happened, but now it’s behind us and let’s just focus on football.”
Boutte said he has not heard from anyone in the league office and is not anticipating a suspension. He participated in organized team activities (OTAs) and minicamp while his legal process was being played out. He said the January arrest taught him a lesson.
“It helped me a lot,” Boutte said. “First I had to turn myself in and go back home. It was just a lot, not knowing what was going to happen in the NFL if I was going to face a suspension or not but now that the case is over and the charges were dropped it’s football.”
Boutte declined to comment on why the charges were dropped, but mentioned that he is done gambling for a while.
“I just feel like I need to stay away from it,” Boutte said. “It’s not like I’m addicted or nothing, but just something that I need to let go. I wouldn’t try it again knowing that something worse could come from it. You live and you learn. Like coach says, you don’t want to make the same mistake twice.”
Boutte made a highlight-reel catch during 1-on-1 drills. Rookie quarterback Drake Maye hit Boutte in stride down the sideline for a two-handed catch over Christian Gonzalez.
“Gonzo is one of the more patient corners, you know,” Boutte said. “You’ve got to do a lot of things to beat him. So, I think I gave him a stutter at about 10 yards and he was kind of thinking that I was going to come back on a comeback (route) but he played my low shoulder so it was just late hands over the top, catch.”
With a pair of rookie receivers and a number of veterans returning, there is plenty of competition at Boutte’s position this summer. Boutte made two catches for 19 yards in five games last year as a rookie.
“It’s a fight every day. Rent is due every day, so every day we come out here and try to get better. That’s individually and as a team. I think we all know there’s a limited about of spots. We’re over the amount of receivers we need. Every day we come out here it’s a battle. Just have to show them why you deserve to be there.”
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