It all started for me in the late 50's. The NFL was on TV then and since we lived here in the northeast, we were fed the Giants games. However, as soon as I saw Jim Brown play I immediately became a Cleveland Browns fan.
Once the Patriots opened their doors we finally had a team of our own, but we were still fed only the NFL games on the boob tube. Although we didn't get to attend many games back then I did get to go to a Pats/Chargers game at Fenway Park in the early 60's. I can still picture Ernie Ladd warming up before the game by slamming into the padded goal post out in right field.
Once I started paying attention I saw how the NFL was trying to squash the AFL and I started to become bitter about that. I also hated the way the NFL avoided the AFL on the field. By the time the mid 60's rolled around I looked at the NFL as an enemy.
When the NFL finally decided to recognize the AFL and play us on the field it was during the Lombardi era of the Packers, and they won both of the first two superbowls. Then the Jets and Chiefs came back the next two years and shut those NFLers up for good. I don't remember ever feeling so great after a non Pats game victory before or since.
And after suffering for many years with the Boston/New England Patriots laughingstock days, here we are today as kings of the NFL. It's been a great ride.
My story is kind of similar.
Back in the 50's, I liked Baltimore (Unitas!) and the Rams (I really dug those helmets!).
Remember, that was a time when we only had the Celtics to cheer on and brag about. The Red Sox? Pinky Higgens won Manager of the year in '58 for a
4th place finish! I mean, geez! The Bruins, more often than not, were wandering in the wilderness. They had Bronco Horvath and not much else, but they were still entertaining to see.
So one day, in 1959 (I think it was August 10th), it was announced on the radio that Boston had been awarded an AFL franchise, and being all of 11 years old, and longing - ever so longing - for a pro football team of my own to root for, I determined on that spot to be a fan of this team for life!
I celebrated this team with a ferocity my friends often found astounding (and possibly disturbing). Even when they were losing 52-0 I was proud of this team.
Rooting for this team during those many lean years oft times gave rise to my fantasizing about a Patriots team (at some nebulous point in the future) being so much stronger and better than all the others they simply couldn't lose. They'd have all the stars. Being a young lad, I simply couldn't envision some one like Bill Belechik existing, let alone coaching for the Patriots.
I'm really glad (believe me,
I'm really glad!) those daydreams came true.
Why, I've even lived long enough to see the Red Sox win multiple World Series, something my father never did (he was born in 1918, died in '01).
My wife of 32 years is a rabid fan, too, even tho she's a native mid-Westerner.
Yes, these past 15 years have been great! I just want another 15 to, you know, promote balance in the universe!
