3-time Super Bowl champ and Boyertown grad James Develin

James Develin went from playing football for a few hundred dollars per game, and meal tickets to Taco Bell, to winning three championships with the Patriots.  His incredible journey began in Boyertown.  Develin loved going to the Bears' football games as a kid.  He looked up to the high school players.  "I thought it was the biggest thing in the world with that majesty of high school sports," he said.  Develin dreamed of playing for Michigan.  He saw former Wilson star Chad Henne play for the Wolverines at "The Big House."  Although Develin was an all-county pick while at Boyertown, an offer from Michigan never came.  That was his first of several servings of humble pie.  Develin went on to play defensive end at Brown University.  The three-time All-Ivy League selection was not picked in the NFL Draft.  He signed with the Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz of the Arena League in 2010.  Develin, who was 6'3 and 255 pounds, made the transition to fullback while with the Florida Tuskers in the United Football League.  After spending the 2011 season on the Cincinnati Bengals' practice squad, Develin got an opportunity with the Patriots in 2012.  "All you gotta do is get your foot in that door and once you're in, it's all about your performance," he stated.  Develin played eight years with New England.  A neck injury ended his career, but not before he won three Super Bowls and was named All-Pro in 2017.  Develin had a career-high 12 catches and four touchdown runs in 2018.  Paul Roberts of SV Sports asked Develin what made Tom Brady such a special quarterback.  Develin replied, "His humility is what really made him succeed...He's as real, as humble as they come and I think that's what set him apart."  Roberts spoke with Develin at the 46th annual Berks Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Sunday in Reading.  The 34-year-old Develin enjoyed his time with Bill Belichick.  "It was the best. I learned so much from him, so many nuggets that I didn't even take in while I was playing...He gave me a shot and I just ran with it," remarked Develin.