How did Chris Hogan get his ‘7-11’ nickname?

Like most of the New England Patriots’ receivers, you may not have known Chris Hogan three weeks ago. Then, he exploded for 180 yards and two touchdowns against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Championship.

Patriots quarterback Tom Brady trusts Hogan enough to throw the ball to him when the team needs a boost. The 28-year-old receiver has been a playmaker all season for New England.

Hogan made a name for himself before he even touched foot in Foxborough, though. In the summer of 2012, he was competing for a roster spot on the Miami Dolphins.

This was the first time Hogan got the chance to showcase his skills in front of a large audience, when Miami participated in the 2012 edition of Hard Knocks.

Hogan impressed a lot of his teammates during training camp, but it was running back Reggie Bush who gave him a nickname that would eventually follow him throughout his career.

Hogan, recounting the story in The Players Tribune before the 2015 season, wrote that early in training camp, Bush yelled to him, “Hey man, you’re open all the time. You’re 7-Eleven!!”

In fact, the nickname generated a lot of attention from reporters. At the time, Hogan said it was “pretty cool.”

Despite the attention, the receiver didn’t do enough to make a roster spot and was eventually cut. However, Miami did sign him to its practice squad, until the Dolphins terminated his contract in September of 2012.

That November, the Buffalo Bills signed Hogan to their practice squad, and he was promoted to the active roster in December.

Hogan played well for the Buffalo Bills in 2014 and 2015. In 2014, he hauled in 41 passes for 426 yards and four touchdowns. In 2015, he registered 36 receptions to go along with 450 yards and two touchdowns.

Following the 2015 season, Hogan was a restricted free agent and signed a three-year, $12 million offer sheet with New England in March 2016. Buffalo didn’t match the offer, which made Hogan a Patriot.

It’s unfortunate for the Bills, who had to watch their former player continually get open and wreak havoc for a division rival.

Still not convinced? Well, take a look at this 34-yard touchdown pass against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Championship:

Hogan’s 180-yard performance went into New England’s record books — he now has the franchise record for receiving yards in a Patriots postseason game.

On Sunday night in the Super Bowl, the Atlanta Falcons will be tasked with trying to make sure “7-Eleven” is closed.

But if Hogan keeps getting open, New England may be open to signing him to a long-term deal.