Another Old Story For Italian Pat Patriot - New England Patriots Forums

NoCal Patriot · 02-12-2007, 08:46 AM

This story goes back to the first season at then Shaeffer Stadium.Everyone knows the stories about the toilets not being installed for the first game,and the huge traffic mess getting to the first few games but here's a story many either don't know or have forgotten.
This story has to do with a long forgotten Patriots Linebacker from The University of Tennessee,Steve Kiner.He came to the Pats from Dallas and almost immediately became a starter.In those days ,The Patriots Defense was pitiful to say the least.It was so bad that in consecutive seasons their Free Safety led the team in tackles !Ricky Harris ,take a bow! Steve Kiner came in and began making plays.He used to fly around the field with his hair flowing in the breeze beneath his helmet.He became somewhat of a "Cult Hero" to The Foxboro Faithful.
Now ,"The Rest of The Story", Steve also enjoyed "The Herb" and would often show up high to practices and games.He also lived in an Old Greyhound Bus for the first year at Foxboro in the Parking Lot at the Stadium! He and his girlfriend were quite a sight to see for everyone tailgating before the games.This was in "The Hippie Era" and they both lived that lifestyle while He played for The Patriots.After Games win or lose Steve and his Girlfriend would come out and join the party.Somehow I don't think behavior like this would fly with the current regime.
For You younger guys that was your father's Foxboro.It was a far different place than today.I hope You enjoy it Italian Pat Patriot !

***fgssand*** · 02-12-2007, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NoCal Patriot

This story goes back to the first season at then Shaeffer Stadium.Everyone knows the stories about the toilets not being installed for the first game,and the huge traffic mess getting to the first few games but here's a story many either don't know or have forgotten.
This story has to do with a long forgotten Patriots Linebacker from The University of Tennessee,Steve Kiner.He came to the Pats from Dallas and almost immediately became a starter.In those days ,The Patriots Defense was pitiful to say the least.It was so bad that in consecutive seasons their Free Safety led the team in tackles !Ricky Harris ,take a bow! Steve Kiner came in and began making plays.He used to fly around the field with his hair flowing in the breeze beneath his helmet.He became somewhat of a "Cult Hero" to The Foxboro Faithful.
Now ,"The Rest of The Story", Steve also enjoyed "The Herb" and would often show up high to practices and games.He also lived in an Old Greyhound Bus for the first year at Foxboro in the Parking Lot at the Stadium! He and his girlfriend were quite a sight to see for everyone tailgating before the games.This was in "The Hippie Era" and they both lived that lifestyle while He played for The Patriots.After Games win or lose Steve and his Girlfriend would come out and join the party.Somehow I don't think behavior like this would fly with the current regime.
For You younger guys that was your father's Foxboro.It was a far different place than today.I hope You enjoy it Italian Pat Patriot !

Oh man,,,yes indeed and Kiner was not the only one.

As a matter of fact, the walkways leading to stairs to the pavillons at old Schaeffer were just filled with smoke at halftime. I mean smoke (not exactly tobacco) would be billowing up and out of the stairs. Even "security" would join in and the police would look the other way , totally.

In the stands - I recall corks popping from champagne bottles every time Randy Vataha would take one to the house from Plunkett.

NoCal Patriot · 02-12-2007, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fgssand

Oh man,,,yes indeed and Kiner was not the only one.

As a matter of fact, the walkways leading to stairs to the pavillons at old Schaeffer were just filled with smoke at halftime. I mean smoke (not exactly tobacco) would be billowing up and out of the stairs. Even "security" would join in and the police would look the other way , totally.

In the stands - I recall corks popping from champagne bottles every time Randy Vataha would take one to the house from Plunkett.

There was a guy and his buddy in my old section (Section 210) who would drive to every home game from Buffalo,NY and they would start partying when they left Buffalo on Saturday Evening. Whenever Randy Vataha caught a pass He would stumble out of his seat and start a "RANDY VATAHA" Chant.
I'm surprised these guys lived but they were there for every Home Game.These guys were versatile,they both smoked and drank.I'm glad I didn't have to travel The New York Thruway!
Everyone who went to the game in those days lived by the old Shaeffer Beer Slogan of Shaeffer being the one beer to have when You're having more then one.Wild days indeed.

captain stone · 02-12-2007, 09:36 AM

I miss the old Shaeffer Stadium. I haven't been to the Razor yet, so my perspective is skewed.

I used to carry joints in my shoes, under my feet; a flask of booze inside the hood of my sweatshirt; and for a time I had fake binoculars which I bought at one of the joke shops downtown - they were filled with booze, naturally.

I also remember the Shaeffer Beer commercials, during which someone would scratch out the number 1 on a frosty mug, then the number 2.

mikiemo83 · 02-12-2007, 09:40 AM

I miss the fans love and passion for the game - season ticket holder since 92 and have seen the evolution from cavemen to sober to uptight yuppy puke

I miss the passion the old fans had, today crowd is there because it is the place to be and many corporate seats are wasted on people who go for the wrong reasons - because they are free seats.

I don't miss the out of controll drunk falling down but a happy medium needs to be reached - too many empty red seats in the middle of the field

NoCal Patriot · 02-12-2007, 10:06 AM

Caveman is a little harsh.The crowd was a product of the times. Anything went in those days,even drunk driving wasn't the big deal it is today.The crowd was far different then as well. First back then Season Tickets were only $100. for the Sideline Seats. The crowd was mostly male and young and ready for a party.It was a rough and tumble group of Roofers,Painters,Truck Drivers, Plumbers,Electricans, and College Students.The Football Team for the most part was BAD with notable exceptions in 1976 and 1978.When the Team was good the behavior in the stands improved greatly.Another point to remember,We only remember the exotic events and we forget the mundane.

captain stone · 02-12-2007, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikiemo83

I miss the fans love and passion for the game - season ticket holder since 92 and have seen the evolution from cavemen to sober to uptight yuppy puke

I miss the passion the old fans had, today crowd is there because it is the place to be and many corporate seats are wasted on people who go for the wrong reasons - because they are free seats.

I don't miss the out of controll drunk falling down but a happy medium needs to be reached - too many empty red seats in the middle of the field

I hear ya, Mikie.

Jimke · 02-12-2007, 10:35 AM

Probably the thing that ended Steve Kiner's career was a practice

when a play was run and ten defensive players reacted and Steve was too stoned

to respond.

NoCal Patriot · 02-12-2007, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimke

Probably the thing that ended Steve Kiner's career was a practice

when a play was run and ten defensive players reacted and Steve was too stoned

to respond.

Jimke,You're probably closer to the truth than We'll ever know.

mikiemo83 · 02-12-2007, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NoCal Patriot

Caveman is a little harsh.The crowd was a product of the times. Anything went in those days,even drunk driving wasn't the big deal it is today.The crowd was far different then as well. First back then Season Tickets were only $100. for the Sideline Seats. The crowd was mostly male and young and ready for a party.It was a rough and tumble group of Roofers,Painters,Truck Drivers, Plumbers,Electricans, and College Students.The Football Team for the most part was BAD with notable exceptions in 1976 and 1978.When the Team was good the behavior in the stands improved greatly.Another point to remember,We only remember the exotic events and we forget the mundane.

Oh I remember the stories from my older brothers during the mid to late 70's, the dent in the car from a butter knife stabbing or the gun alledgedly pulled in the crowd by a drunk from an unattentive cop at that MNF Jets game.

I was going to Foxboro in 76 and later started going from 84 on at least 2 games a year until getting seasons in 92 so I have seen the progression.

OK cavemen was a bad reference - neanderthals better

-

I've seen more stuff at the games than I wish to remember - that said it is no worse than any other stadium crowd and better than most for a home team fan - heck I went to the Cleveland Browns last home game and that was insane with the move to Baltimore already in the works