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I think I recall making a similar thread to this a while back and wanted to revisit it as I feel like some of the sting of Super Bowl losses has dulled for many fans. Now let me tell you that first of all I'm not suggesting the Patriots become the Indianapolis Colts 2.0 with ridiculous banners, and the idea of SIX banners hanging at Gillette is going to be sick.
However, I come back to the idea that AFC Championship banners are exceptional achievements, and appearing in the Super Bowl (America's most popular sporting event) is a great accomplishment, win or lose. Keep in mind many leagues around the world give banners, trophies, etc. for a variety of team accomplishments like tournament winners, regular season winners, etc. Some NFL teams even hang divisional championship banners. And no, the 16-0 banner was not a good idea.
All in all, here's my point: I've developed a great appreciation for NFL history and the AFL's rich legacy. The Patriots should be particularly proud of having ELEVEN conference titles, the most in the league. Would it be such a bad thing to hang some red banners, perhaps smaller in size, to go along with the championship banners? Because I feel like watching those teams win the Lamar Hunt trophy and even play in the big game deserves some darn good recognition. Recently even Patriots detractors have refrained from "they lost three SBs" and even changed their tune to more of "they won six and played in NINE!" Nine appearances has aarguably become just as defining as an accomplishment and certainly something to marvel at.
1985 AFC Champions (First time appearance in the big game...a link to the past and the old unis too)
1996 AFC Champions (An important era of Patriots football, Bledsoe/Parcells accounted for here)
2007 AFC Champions (Come on...do we need to say why this was a special season?)
2011 AFC Champions (Amazing win over Ravens with shanked field goal by Cundiff)
2017 AFC Champions (Incredible comeback versus Jacksonville)
However, I come back to the idea that AFC Championship banners are exceptional achievements, and appearing in the Super Bowl (America's most popular sporting event) is a great accomplishment, win or lose. Keep in mind many leagues around the world give banners, trophies, etc. for a variety of team accomplishments like tournament winners, regular season winners, etc. Some NFL teams even hang divisional championship banners. And no, the 16-0 banner was not a good idea.
All in all, here's my point: I've developed a great appreciation for NFL history and the AFL's rich legacy. The Patriots should be particularly proud of having ELEVEN conference titles, the most in the league. Would it be such a bad thing to hang some red banners, perhaps smaller in size, to go along with the championship banners? Because I feel like watching those teams win the Lamar Hunt trophy and even play in the big game deserves some darn good recognition. Recently even Patriots detractors have refrained from "they lost three SBs" and even changed their tune to more of "they won six and played in NINE!" Nine appearances has aarguably become just as defining as an accomplishment and certainly something to marvel at.
1985 AFC Champions (First time appearance in the big game...a link to the past and the old unis too)
1996 AFC Champions (An important era of Patriots football, Bledsoe/Parcells accounted for here)
2007 AFC Champions (Come on...do we need to say why this was a special season?)
2011 AFC Champions (Amazing win over Ravens with shanked field goal by Cundiff)
2017 AFC Champions (Incredible comeback versus Jacksonville)