I'm not sure if this guy should be idolized, or criticized. I can't help but give him props for laying the lumber, and telling his wife she plays second fiddle to the Pats. That's a man's man right there. However, there is a definate "get a bleepin life" factor involved here. A Giant wooden bear in the front lawn, a locker room complete with a urinal inside the house, and the fact that his wife actually agreed to marry into a situation where a pro football franchise in another state would be more important than her, tells me that these two aren't playing with a full deck.
How big a fan? Patriots are No. 1 in his life, his wife No. 2.
Patriots center Dan Koppen (left) with fan Pat Noone.
December 20, 2007
Calling Pat Noone uncommonly committed to the New England Patriots would be an understatement. Consider this: For more than 30 years, Noone has been driving to games at Foxborough from his home in - wait for it - Pennsylvania. The trip from the Poconos typically takes 5 1/2 hours, but in bad weather, Noone, an executive at the DG Yuengling & Son Brewery, can be on the road for up to 10 hours - and that's one way. But, wait, there's more. Noone's wedding ring has a Patriots logo on it, and he's installed a 1,200-pound wooden bear wearing a Pats jersey in his front yard. The house he shares with his long-suffering wife has a replica of the Pats locker room, and it even includes a urinal. No wonder Noone was chosen from among 625 nominees as this year's Bank of America/New England Patriots Fan of the Year. We talked to him yesterday.
Q. Being recognized like this must be a treat.
A. I'm ecstatic and grateful. It's one of the highlights of my life.
Q. Don't let your wife hear you say that.
A. Oh, she'll understand. When we got married, I put a stipulation on it. I told her, 'The Pats are No. 1 and you'll be No. 2.' I told her if she can accept those terms, great, and if not, I'll understand and we can go along just being friends.
Q. And?
A. She had to think about it for a little while. She came back and said, 'How long is football season?' I told her about training camp and the draft. . . I told her she could be No. 1 for the month of May. She said, 'You got a deal.' She's a cool gal.
Q. You've delivered Yuengling beer to Dan Koppen a few times.
A. Yeah, after a game once, I saw a guy with a Yuengling hat on and I said, 'As big as you are, you should be playing for the Patriots.' It was Dan Koppen. He likes the beer, but we don't distribute it in New England yet, so I bring him cases.
Q. What's with the giant wooden bear?
A. My wife had it made for me. It's a custom-made 9-foot bear cut from a piece of oak. She had it painted with a New England Patriots uniform No. 52. That's for my favorite player, Ted Johnson.
Q. Was it really necessary to put a urinal in the locker room? Don't you have a bathroom in your house?
A. When we were building the house, my wife asked what style I'd like. I drew the dimensions for my Patriots room and my locker room and told her she could design the rest.
Q. But a urinal?
A. When I go to the bathroom, I want to step up to a urinal. Every male who visits the locker room wishes they had one.
Q. What sets you apart from the other Fan of the Year nominees?
A. I'd say my passion and commitment and dedication to the Patriots. I walk the walk on a daily basis.
http://www.boston.com/sports/footbal...stPop_Emailed2
Pats #1, wife #2?
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