We are blessed to now have a franchise with so many significant dates to celebrate.
It was 10 years ago tonight, January 12, 1997.
Otis Smith picked up the fumble and ran it into the end zone, sending the Patriots to New Orleans for Super Bowl 31.
This was the game that established our big time credibility in the Bob Kraft era. Bill Parcells had done it. He took us the big game. It was his high point as Patriot coach. Very few of us knew that it was already over. Very few of us could know that within 2 weeks his era here was not only over, but over in an ugly way. Drew Bledsoe had done it. the big time draft choice had taken his team to the Super Bowl. The defense of Al Groh, with more influence on it by a guy named Bill Belichick than most of us knew, had matured into a championship force.
living in Franklin at the time, it was so cool watching the Patriots in the big time, NBC,**** Enberg, Phil Simms, Paul McGuire, the blimp hovering over Foxboro Stadium. And I looked at that and kept thinking "thats right down the street from me!!"
What are your memories of that time, of that night? 10 years ago tonight.
Incredible. And its only gotten better since then.
It was 10 years ago tonight, January 12, 1997.
Otis Smith picked up the fumble and ran it into the end zone, sending the Patriots to New Orleans for Super Bowl 31.
This was the game that established our big time credibility in the Bob Kraft era. Bill Parcells had done it. He took us the big game. It was his high point as Patriot coach. Very few of us knew that it was already over. Very few of us could know that within 2 weeks his era here was not only over, but over in an ugly way. Drew Bledsoe had done it. the big time draft choice had taken his team to the Super Bowl. The defense of Al Groh, with more influence on it by a guy named Bill Belichick than most of us knew, had matured into a championship force.
living in Franklin at the time, it was so cool watching the Patriots in the big time, NBC,**** Enberg, Phil Simms, Paul McGuire, the blimp hovering over Foxboro Stadium. And I looked at that and kept thinking "thats right down the street from me!!"
What are your memories of that time, of that night? 10 years ago tonight.
Incredible. And its only gotten better since then.
Last edited: