As you may know, my beloved Patriots lost in the first round of the playoffs on Saturday night. From my seats in section 331 in Gillette Stadium,. I watched our season come to a screeching halt.
Tom Brady’s final pass of the season was an interception to former Patriot Logan Ryan, which was returned for a touchdown.
Not good.
The Patriots lost for lots of reasons, but what I will remember most will be:
The Patriots were unable to put the ball in the end zone on three consecutive plays from the 1 yard line.
A huge pass play was called back on a very questionable penalty.
Sure-handed Julian Edleman dropped a critical pass near the end of the game.
The Patriots also suffered a rash of injuries, retirements, and unfortunate circumstances leading to player departures that they were never able to overcome.
It was hard to watch my team lose on Saturday. After finally getting to bed at 3:30 AM and getting out of bed at 7:00 AM, I was feeling pretty down.
But then Charlie awoke and asked me if the Patriots had won.
“No, buddy. They lost.”
“So no Super Bowl?” he asked.
“Nope. Not even an AFC Championship game.”
Then it occurred to me . Charlie is 7 years old. He’s never seen the Patriots not go to an AFC championship game. Saturday night’s loss breaks a record of 8 straight AFC championship games appearances by the Patriots.
Eight in a row. Only three other teams have been to 8 AFC Championship games in all. The Patriots have been to a total of 15 of these games, second best to the Steeler’s 16, and we’ve won a record 11 of them.
I have personally attended 8 AFC Championship games and watched the Patriots win 7 of them.
It’s crazy. I’ve been so lucky.
Not only has my favorite team been an an epic run, but I have been going to games for the entire run. It’s been a glorious time to be a season ticket holder. The Patriots have also been to more Super Bowls than any other team, including 9 in the last 20 years, and they’ve tied thew Steelers for the most victories.
I was old enough to watch the Patriots first Super Bowl in 1986, and I’ve seen every one since. I’m not some Miami Dolphins fan who brags about perfect seasons and Super Bowl victories that happened before they were even born. I’ve been watching this team and loving this team ever since I was a little boy.
How fortunate I have been.
Though the season ended in defeat, it wasn’t a bad way to spend five months. Long, Sunday drives to Foxboro with my friend. Food and stories and laughter in the parking lot before the game. Suspense and joy. Excitement and heartbreak.
And that one game when it was 35 degrees and pouring rain with 40 MPH winds.
Brutal but also unforgettable.
I’m going to try to feel lucky today for all that I have enjoyed, trusting that Tom Brady will don a Patriots uniform once again and there will be Sundays of glory in my future.
I’ll try.
