Because of the generosity of my friend, Dan, I was able to see Tom Brady’s first game back from suspension. Because of a trip to the Boston area, I was able to relive the Patriots’ four Super Bowl championships at The Hall at Patriots Place.
Wendi and I made the trip to Gillette Stadium and Patriots Place, and we went through the Patriots Hall of Fame and museum. I grew up in Revere, Mass., and liked the Patriots. I remember when Jim Plunkett was our quarterback. My favorite was Steve Grogan.
The visit started with an 18-minute movie of the Patriots’ history. The franchise began in 1960. There were a lot of lean years. I now live in Northeast Ohio, and my friends seem to think the Patriots have always been among the elite NFL teams. That is just not the case, and the movie made it abundantly clear.
Then, it gets to the point where Robert Kraft buys the team, keeps it in Foxborough, and hires Bill Belichick as the head coach. Belichick brought in a team-first attitude with a dose of individual accountability.
Watching the highlights of the first Super Bowl championship versus the St. Louis Rams was surprisingly emotional. Watching Tom Brady march the Patriots down the field and seeing Adam Vinatieri kick the game-winning field goal as time expired brought a tear or two to my eyes. I should also note, when you arrive at the third floor starting point for the Hall, you walk out of a “helmet” and encounter Kraft’s famous quote after the game: Spirituality, faith and democracy are the cornerstones of our country. We are all Patriots. And tonight the Patriots are world champions.”
The highlights of the next three championships went quicker, and undrafted, free agent rookie corner back Malcolm Butler’s interception at the goal line never gets old. It sealed the Patriots’ fourth Super Bowl victory against the Seattle Seahawks.
It should be no surprise the movie vaguely hinted at one of two Super Bowl losses to the New York football Giants.
It was nice to be immersed in everything Patriots, learn more about the history and relish the good times. It has been a wonderful ride for Patriots fans since Kraft bought the team, Belichick became the best coach in football history and Brady emerged as a clutch leader. I know this incredible ride cannot last forever, but I am glad I’m along for the ride.
If you find yourself in the Boston area and like the Patriots, then I would highly recommend hitting the Hall at Patriots Place and checking out the pro shop, other shops and restaurants. Something Wendi, a Browns fan, appreciated is the many interactive exhibits (like going under the “hood” to make instant replay calls and kicking a field goal). You can also get a great view of Gillette Stadium and relive the memories.
