Crazy Patriot Guy

I know it's a little off topic for this time of the offseason but today I was thinking back to Super Bowl 36, reminding myself of how important the Pats are to me.

February 3, 2002. It's a day I'll never forget. The main reason Ill never forget it though is because the day before, February 2, I lost my granny to bone cancer. I was 22 at the time and she was the first person I was really close to that I lost.

I spent that Sunday at the funeral home for visitation. I really had no intention of watching the game that night, I wasn't going to leave my mother or grandpa. About an hour before kickoff though, my mom told me to head back to my grandpa's house to watch it. So I did.

As the game first started, I really wasn't into it. I can't say that I didn't care, just that I really had no emotion one way or the other. That changed when Ty Law took the INT to the house. It was game on after that and I was fully into it.

Late in the game, I was just as stressed as I'm sure a lot of fans were, especially after the penalty negated the Jones fumble return.

One thing I'll never forget though. As soon as that extra point that tied the game was good and I saw how much time was left on the clock, a tremendous peace came over me. I knew. I knew Brady would take us down the field, and I knew Vinatieri wouldn't miss. In my heart, I knew we were about to be Super Bowl champs.

When the kick went through, I just remember being down on the carpet on my hands and knees, laughing. I just couldn't stop laughing. It was perfect. Nothing else mattered at that moment. The pain I was feeling over my granny was gone for a little while.

It only got better when my family made it back to the house. They had gotten into the car to head home about 20 seconds before the kick so they heard it. When they walked in, seeing the smile on my grandpa's face is something I would never trade for anything in this world. He had just lost the love of his life, but he was so happy for me, it made him forget for a little while too. I just wish he could have made it another 2 and half years so he could have seen his Saints win it all.

I can't watch that game and not feel something. I can't hear "Where the Streets Have No Name" and not think about my granny and smile. Because of what surrounded that day and that game, losing her the day before and laying her to rest the day after, it will forever be one of the greatest moments of my life.

That's what the Patriots mean to me.

Frezo

The Pats mean I don't have to watch baseball.

Joker

sounds like a screenplay

write it up and send it to Matt Damon...who knows?

Watea

I lurk here a lot and have hardly ever posted.
But wanted to say your post was very touching, Crazy Patriots Guy.
The Pats have given me a lot of special moments in difficult times too. Here's looking forward to many more of those moments.

Pewsterbaby

I really appreciate writing such as yours. There's nowhere near enough of it on this site. A reason is because the average football fan is psychologically a apollonian male, not dionysian. This means he identifies with Apollo, symbolizing physical strength and enforcement of social rules, such as not displaying outer emotion. They think with their left hemisphere, the more linear, less creative & imaginative side. They prefer this over over pensive inner thought. Most guys on this site would choose to keep experiences such as yours to themselves, in fear of appearing weak, for some ungodly reason.

On the other hand, dionysian males, the ones whore more likely to write in the vein you just did, identify with Dionysis, the god of wine, song, and revelry. They thinks with their right hemisphere, the less linear, more creative and expressive side. Modern day dionysian males tend to be musicians, artists, and writers.

I typed a post similar to yours at the end of last season, when the Patriot Dynasty's statistics were finally able to be tallied. I also wrote about when I was growing up in the late 70's and all the Patriots meant to me in Connecticut, where they weren't popular or very good. Boy, have they come a long way. I was pleasantly surprised to see positive feedback from people here.
Thank you for my visit today and my finding something a little more memorable to read here instead of the usual post-draft "who's this guy, who's that guy, wadya think is gonna happen with all of them come September" insanely obsessive banter. Also, I can't frickn' believe someone, anyone would actually have over ten freaking thousand posts on a football website. ANY website,for that matter. Some of these guys are delusional. Oh, I read 'em all, nevertheless. It's nice to see someone thinking along your lines for a change. hanks for the stories. You see, THAT'S the stuff I'll take with me. Not who moved up or down 5 spots draft day & whether or not it's gonna pan out or be a bust. YOUR choice payed off, football-wise.

BradfordPatsFan

Great post CPG. It is hard to top that. I will just say that, like you, the Patriots bring me back to my grandfather.

__________________
Patriots Football...
It is what it is!

RayClay

I'm just glad neither of my Grandmothers were ever aware of Clive Rush.

__________________

Joker

I think anytime you mix a Clive with a brutal sport like football you're gonna end up with problems

IcyPatriot

Didn't know it was a tonight ...

RayClay

When it comes to Patriots Football, Clive was one of a kind.

__________________