Patriots Fan
I'm sure plenty of people have been Pats fans for a long time. Football captured my heart around 1982. It was my sophomore year in my new school, St. John's Prep. We went on to win the championship, held in what was then Sullivan stadium. My father took me to that game and it was the first time I had ever been to a football game. I think he was surprised I wanted to go, because I'd never shown much interest in sports before. From that superbowl on, football had grabbed a hold of me. My new love of the game paid off a few years later when the Patriots went to their first championship game, Superbowl XX.
Watching that playoff run was something special. It amazed me that a team could enjoy so much success by learning to strip the ball. I know there was more to it, but that is what I remember most about them. Andre Tippet could sure chop the ball out of an opposing player's hands. I've been a faithful fan since then, even through the difficult times. Ownership problems came first, and looking back it's hard to believe the team was never moved. Having been a big fan of local legend Doug Flutie, I'm proud to say I was at a game when he was starting quarterback for the Pats, during the strike year. I don't remember the score (20-17?), but the Pats beat the Houston Oilers. It was a nice birthday present for my brother who I had brought. Funny, remember those Remington commercials with Victor Kiam and Doug Flutie?
Anyway, things have only gotten bette since Robert Kraft bought the team. First came Superbowl XXXI, but Parcells really let us down, essentially quitting the team before the big game. Five years later came Superbowl XXXVI and my proudest moment as a sports fan, our first championship. We did it! We beat the greatest show on turf. The Pats showed all the skeptics what they were made of. Oh, New England fans had already known; we'd been along for the ride all season, but here was the proof. The New England Patriots were a great team, a winner. Still some doubted. It was a fluke, they said. Two more championships later and the doubters are gone. The New England Patriots are no fluke. They are champions. Some even say a dynasty.
Thank you, David Price
David Price is a writer, artist and proud parent of two. He and his wife Pauline live in Peabody. To learn more about Dave and his interests you can visit his web site:
The above article was recently featured on the Providence Journal Website.