Journal photo / Bob Breidenbach
Patrick Chung poses at Gillette Stadium with Jonathan and Robert Kraft, and a throwback Patriots jersey.

With black beads on the end of his small cornrows peeking out from underneath his brand-new Patriots hat, Patrick Chung received his ceremonial red #1 jersey from team owners Robert and Jonathan Kraft this morning.

The Southern California native, who graduated from Oregon in December, is believed to be the first player of Chinese descent to play for New England (before you ask, Eugene Chung, we're told, is Korean).

At his press conference, Chung said he was "blessed" to have been chosen by New England.

"This is crazy right now. I'm glad to be here; I'm ready to go to work. I've been ready to go to work since I got that phone call on draft day," Chung said.

Chung's mother, Sophia George-Chung, had a number-one reggae hit in the 1980s, and Robert Kraft referenced the family history in his introduction the 34th overall pick in the draft.

"We understand his mom was a great reggae singer and had some hits, and we're hoping Patrick will be known for other kinds of hits," he said.