GrogansArmy

I'm planning on taking my 11 yr old nephew to a Pats game and I'm trying to convince him the Pats rock and that the Jets suck. For some ungodly reason he likes the Jets. He likes the Pats too, but its like 50/50. I have no clue how that got into his head, but there it is.

So anyhow, I'm hoping I can get him to meet some Pats players and perhaps get some autographs, and hopefully after he sees how awesome the Pats players are, he'll see the light.

Unfortunately, I'm not sure how to go about getting him to meet a player(s), let along getting an autograph. Any ideas/suggestions on how to accomplish this would be greatly appreciated.

DarrylS

From my experience, got turned on to pro sports, at an early age with my grandfather who was a die hard Yankees fan, he brought me to the Stadium for a RS/Yankees game, he then took me later to a Red Sox/Yankees game in Fenway.. never forget the electricity in Kenmore Square prior to the game.. I was hooked.

Similarly have brought my grandson and his cousins to Training Camp, and they really enjoyed the experience along with trying to get autographs afterward.. not sure they are as hooked as I, but the exposure helped them become Pats Loyalists..

OTOH let him become a Jets Fan, sooner or later he will realize that there is no pay off in being second rate to his Uncle.. he will become a true believer over time.

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"Being the best doesn't mean you always win. It just means you win more than anyone else".. tweet from Kurt Warner to Tom Brady.

shmessy

Two words, bro.

Training Camp.

It's hard to meet the players and get close at a game. But go to the training camp sessions in July/early August. No more than 5,000-7,000 fans on a busy day - - you can hear the players on the field, at the end of every session one squad goes over to the fans to sign autographs/take pics. Next to the field, there is an interactive "Patriots Experience". After the session, take him to the Patriots Hall of Fame at Gillette for a great history and hands on experience.

He'll be hooked.

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"They (Patriots) may be the greatest team ever" - Chris Mortenson, January 18, 2005 on espn.com

RayClay

Let him be a Jets fan. He'll learn what it is to have his dreams crushed for being an overconfident loudmouth. Good life lesson.

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pherein

My 2 cents is ,
children learn from example, then talk. You can tell them what you want them to do till your blue in the face, but unless your following your own advise they wont listen. Seems they watch.
i think if you express your homerism, the child wont listen, in other words.

Tell him the truth. Heck even this week I heard another player from the Ravens this time, I believe, say " Yea well everyone wants to beat the Jets".

Why is that? Well, its because their bragging and saying they are the best in the NFL. What gives them the right to say that? Its no bravado, its plain wrong and pretty rude towards a lot of teams. Also let him know he has no choice for his home team, its were your were born, otherwise you might as well be a Dallas fan

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TheGodInAGreyHoodie

I have a nephew whose two favorite sports teams "in the whole wide world" are the Yankees and the Red Sox. He refuse to watch when they play each other (kinda like Richard Williams -- Venus & Serena dad). Never attempt to understand the mind of 9 year old.

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convertedpatsfan

As for the OP, I'm not saying you wouldn't love your nephew any less if he was a Jets fan, but...no wait, that's exactly what I'm saying. And there's nothing wrong with buying his allegiance.

I think taking him to training camp would be great, coupled with taking him to as many Pats games as possible. Tis the season for giving gifts like a Patriots jersey.

Young children are very impressionable, and it's important that you brainwash him to your side as quickly as possible.

buile

Great reply, shmessy.

I agree: let him be a Jets fan. In the end, I don't think teams matter (we're all Americans, and together we like different teams), but, if you want there to be some "lesson" in there, it's great to keep in mind that New England goes about their business with emphasis on team effort to make their statements on the field, not with their mouths.

TheGodInAGreyHoodie

Reality is as an uncle you have much less influence over this than his friends. One of his friends who is a Jets or Pats fan will get him to pick. Or some kid he hates will like one and he will pick the opposite. Or he will meet a cute girl who roots for the Dolphins cause she likes Flipper and Ecco and he will become a Dolphin fan.

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Pewsterbaby

I grew up in Connecticut, halfway between New York & Boston. In that town, you could go either way choosing. When I was 10, in 1976, I picked The Pats and The Yanks.
How freaking sweet a combo that turned out to be. In fact, since 1985, it's the most desirable baseball/football tandem by a mile.
Yanks- 1976-2010... 11 pennants and 7 championships
Patriots 1976-2009... 6 AFC titles and 3 championships

That's 17 trips to the finals.

btw, whoever said The Jets fans are an overconfident bunch, you're wrong. 26 years living in New york has taught me Jets fans have lower self esteem and less confidence than your average NYC male. That's false bravado in every way. C'mon now.