Patriots Fan Of The Year Winner To Be Honored

[IcyPatriot]

Karen Hourigan, aka "The Flag Lady"

http://cbs4boston.com/topstories/local_story_351081919.html

(CBS4) FOXBORO In their final home game of the regular season Sunday, the Patriots are honoring their 2006 Fan of the Year.

Karen Hourigan, aka "The Flag Lady", will be named the Bank of America #1 fan for this season. The 64-year-old grandmother can be seen front and center at Patriots games in her sequin flag hat and red,white, and blue parka.

Karen has been a season ticket holder for 18 years. The Krafts make sure to stop by and say a personal hello to Karen before every home game, calling her their personal good luck charm. She has even made special star shaped earrings for the Patriots cheerleaders, which they've worn during games.

 

[IcyPatriot]

You mean that I didn't win, again. Four years being nominated, no wins. Getting very frustrating to be beaten by old ladies who are relative newcomers to the Pats, for two years in a row.

I guess they must have kissed Charley Weis's ass and Josh's too.

But, i will bet they don't know illegal motion when they see it, or what the hell "encroachment" is.

Am I bitter? You bet your ass I am.

Not to dismiss the passion of any season ticket holder but the process seems a bit one sided. A fan like you NEM who has worked tirelessly for the good of many out of state fans is every bit a true fan.

the growth of the internet has made it possible for many out of state fans to enjoy their Patriots ... but you have been doing it without the internet and later a feeble tough to process information internet.

I remember posting here back in 2001 and it was oh so very plain back then ... we members here made the forum come alive. With broadband now ... the site can do that by itself.

Anyways ... it was clear to me back then of how passionate a fan you were...all the e-mails, getting training camp info to your club's members, mailing pictures for the sake of the members ... many, many hours you have devoted to the Patriots as a fan and yet you asked for nothing.

I was in awe of people like yourself, Ian and ZIP to name a few ... it was all work back then ... now it's just a few types on the keyboard and what took days can now be done in mere minutes.

Anyways ... I voted for you NEM as I do every year and I will continue to do so ... The Patriots need to acknowledge or make a category for out of state fans such as yourself whose faces have faded from memory but whose names are right there in the forefront everyday.

Congratulations to Karen ... You deserved it also NEM.

 

[PatsFanInEaglesLand]

Some guy who has been a fan for 7 or 8 years and just because he set up some kind of web site for Iraqi soldiers..he wins it.

Sounds like more than you have ever done, than again you think a grumpy old bitter complainer should some how be the fan of the year

 

[AStack75]

Gee, another political loser with nothing good to say, letting it carry over into the football forum. Cant handle defeat, can you?

Oy vey. You're a good guy NEM, but your constant talk of politics is not the way to get people on your side.

 

[IcyPatriot]

Sounds like more than you have ever done, than again you think a grumpy old bitter complainer should some how be the fan of the year

Being honored for something usually entails the selfless labor helping others to also share in the joy of something. Being honored means your actions have simply helped others ... a true love for anything really ... like Ian helping us to enjoy the Patriots better ... he too should be considered.

Opinions of other things should not cloud the achievements of anyone. It's too bad any disagreements paint any member with a broad brush. NEM can be opinionated ... but his love of the Patriots has nevered wavered ... in fact ... it's that love that sometimes elicits the emotions ... so what ... this is an opinion forum ... not a popularity contest.

 

[alamo]

The winner this year has been a season ticket holder since Victor Kiam owned the team. If I were her I'd be personally insulted by being called a "relative newcomer".

 

[IcyPatriot]

Oy vey. You're a good guy NEM, but your constant talk of politics is not the way to get people on your side.

I have had many fights with NEM in the political forum ... none of them ... not even for 1 second has made me question the integrity of the man himself ... who he is ... and the passion he has shown for the Patriots.

Why I or anyone would think more of NEM as a fan of the Patriots if he agreed with everyone and did not speak his mind is ridiculous at best. His political opinions are his ... an American right ... they have never affected his integrity as a man or his love of the Patriots... he openly to this day will do a favor for anyone ... even members here who have nothing good to say about him ...that is fact!

 

[AStack75]

No doubt FBN... I'm one of the few Republicans in MA and I still like NEM. But there's nothing like political talk on football forums that makes fellow fans get sick of each other.

Plus campaigning for FOTY ain't gonna help. Your nominations are in and then it's out of our hands.

I don't really know much about the last two FOTYs but I know that Karen and Zip are both solid people so I don't think the FOTY process is flawed.

 

[Alcoholic9]

Thank you, and let me say this before I go to bed, and I hope that no one takes it the wrong way.

I have been very hurt by not being given that honor by the Pats and the voting committee. It has hurt me very deeply because it is something that I would want to win before I runout of time.

I know that I can anger some people with some of the things that I say, and I understand that there are some people who would go to no end to see that Idont ever win that award, and if that is what they want to do, so be it.

But being nominated for the past four years and seeing some of the winners, and how short a time they have been fans, has really made me very sad.

Zip deserved the award and I was happy for him. I have met zip, and the same for Karen, she deserved it and whenther Pats were here in Arizona a few years ago, Imet her too.

But the last three winners have really infuriated me. Some guy who has been a fan for 7 or 8 years and just because he set up some kind of web site for Iraqi soldiers..he wins it.

Last year the two old ladies from the Cape.

And this year,the flag lady.

I am not saying that these people arent fans, and probably good fans, but they havent given their life, their blood, and even more than that, everything that they can put forth, and have lost so much for it, as I have done.... and I do it because I love the team, and I love the fans....

And for four years of being nominated, and not to win, not even to get a letter of recognition, well, it has torn my heart out, completely. Truth be told, when I found out that I didnt win again, this year, I cried.

Thanks for the kind words.

Maybe the guy who decides these things has read some of your posts.

If they ever make you Fan of the Year I may seriously consider becoming a Jets fan or whatever.

 

[PatsFanInEaglesLand]

Gee, another political loser with nothing good to say, letting it carry over into the football forum. Cant handle defeat, can you?

Who said anything about politics?

Thats right, YOU DID!

I would vomit if a grumpy old piece of cheese like yourself was ever voted fan of the year by the Patriots.

I believe you actually nominate yourself for this as no one who actually liked the Patriots would ever have a nice thing to say about you.

Now go on you way and tell us some more BS stories about you being the GM.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Why someone like Miguel whose many many hours of research and effort produces the best salary cap pages goes unnoticed for the FOTY befuddles me. Miguel owns seasons tickets and has repeatedly donated those tix to benefit a food pantry for those in need. What's better than that?

And no, I am not related and I have never had sex with Miguel.

 

[DarrylS]

Why someone like Miguel whose many many hours of research and effort produces the best salary cap pages goes unnoticed for the FOTY befuddles me. Miguel owns seasons tickets and has repeatedly donated those tix to benefit a food pantry for those in need. What's better than that?

I agree he is also an extremely humble person, not unlike those who continue to self promote themselves for personal gain.. I do not get understand how anyone can begrudge this woman and feel they are more deserving.. it is what it is.

 

[Mike the Brit]

Why someone like Miguel whose many many hours of research and effort produces the best salary cap pages goes unnoticed for the FOTY befuddles me. Miguel owns seasons tickets and has repeatedly donated those tix to benefit a food pantry for those in need. What's better than that?

And no, I am not related and I have never had sex with Miguel.

What? That Colts troll!

(Seriously, I nominated Miguel last year but now, having met him, I don't believe that he could give (to quote) a rat's patootie about this. Happy New Year to you Miguel -- and to all Pats fans!)

 

[gomezcat]

I have heard good things about NEM from guys who have met him in real life. NEM, you say plenty of things that I disagree with but I will say a couple of things about you. You are a true Patriots fan, you are passionate, knowledgeable and are by all accounts a great host.

Good luck on winning the award some time.

 

[T-ShirtDynasty]

Why someone like Miguel whose many many hours of research and effort produces the best salary cap pages goes unnoticed for the FOTY befuddles me. Miguel owns seasons tickets and has repeatedly donated those tix to benefit a food pantry for those in need.

Post of the Year.

 

[italian pat patriot]

i agree with Gomezcat and i hope too, NEM, you will win it

it is very clear to me that you are a strong passionate Patriot fan and i like a lot yr posts about our team

no doubt: a great fan !

 

[IcyPatriot]

Why someone like Miguel whose many many hours of research and effort produces the best salary cap pages goes unnoticed for the FOTY befuddles me. Miguel owns seasons tickets and has repeatedly donated those tix to benefit a food pantry for those in need. What's better than that?

And no, I am not related and I have never had sex with Miguel.

Good post PWP ... Fan Of The Year is an award that really self promotes the Patriots ... it's a popularity contest that makes the team look good ... it really has nothing ... zilch ... nada .... with being the best fan.

Now I'm thinking Fred Smerlas should have been fan of the year ... by selling his tickets at a high price he ensured that many non season ticket holding fans would be able to root for the team they love ... Fred Smerlas ... another
snubbed FOTY contestant.

 

[Digger44]

NEM it doesn't count when you only have once nomination and it came from you.

 

[PATSNUTme]

Why someone like Miguel whose many many hours of research and effort produces the best salary cap pages goes unnoticed for the FOTY befuddles me. Miguel owns seasons tickets and has repeatedly donated those tix to benefit a food pantry for those in need. What's better than that?

And no, I am not related and I have never had sex with Miguel.

What have you been drinking lately? Whatever it is keep on drinking it because you have hit another home run post.

I have never met Miguel. I first came across his work when he had his draft pages,which lead me to his salary cap pages,which lead me to this forum. All I can go by is his work and his post here. I really don't think he is shallow enough to care about getting FOY honors, although he certainly deserves it.

Lets hope that the Patriots honor his work in some way real soon. Maybe they have and we willnever know about it because Idoubt if he would ever bring it up.

And, the sports media in this area should honor him in some way. We all know that they use his work to report their work.

BTW, his draft pages were the best on the internet. What a task that must have been.

 

[shmessy]

Congratulations to Karen Hourigan.

Sorry that this thread had to be hijacked by NEM.