I've been tailgating at New England Patriots games from 1987 to present day. What a difference a
couple of decades make! These tales from the tailgate include everything from the soul-sucking feeling
of a 1-15 season to the unexpected thrills of Super Bowl titles. I often hear people say that Pats fans
are spoiled and arrogant. Not all of us. Some, like me, still can't believe Vinatieri's kick was good.
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Ted-dy! Ted-dy! Ted-dy!
If there was ever a question about who is the most popular Patriot of all time, it was answered during halftime of the Pats-Jets game. On a cold night like Monday, halftime ceremonies are usually just an afterthought to getting warm, using the bathroom, or getting another drink. Not on this night. Except for the red seats (I guess the lure of the clubhouse and the flatscreen TVs is just too strong), most fans stayed right where they were as Mr. Kraft brought out a blue #54 jersey and had the man of the hour -- of the night -- put it on.
Tedy Bruschi removed his coat in the frigid air and donned his game shirt. He let out a Bruschi roar and the adoring crowd echoed it right back at him. On a night when Tom Brady was working hard on leading a new Patriots team to a shot at a Super Bowl, Bruschi was leading the fans on a great trip down memory lane.
The halftime ceremony was just like Bruschi. Simple, heartfelt, fun, and memorable. A video montage opened the proceedings, chronicling the linebacker's 13-year career. After Kraft praised him for his dedication to the team and the community, Bruschi gave a shout-out to the best coach in the history of the game and to the fans who braved many cold nights like Monday to cheer him on.
Pointing to the championship banners, he did what Belichick's players always do... give credit to everyone else. He went through the names of the great players who helped put those banners in the south end zone corner of Gillette. Troy Brown, Joe Andruzzi, Ty Law, Lawyer, Rodney, Willie, Vrabel, Ted Johnson, Roman Phifer, Richard Seymour, even Larry Izzo. The mention of each players name brought a loud "Whoooo!" from the delighted crowd. (One player that he didn't mention? Asante Samuel. I guess Tedy is still pissed about that dropped pick in the Super Bowl too.)
There are going to be a lot of fun induction ceremonies at the Hall at Patriot Place in the upcoming years. If Bruschi's day is anything like his night on Monday, it will be the best one of all.
Bruschi captured the mood of everyone at Gillette when he said, as he stepped to the mike wearing his #54 jersey, "It still feels good." It sure does.
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1 comment:
Great story... needed to read this as I am missing Football very much over here... Tedy sure gave us some wonderful memories and three Super Bowl Victories!!!
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