Given how the Sullivans screwed over Fairbanks, Hannah, and Grey the previous year, I'm not surprised Fairbanks had had enough.
I was there too last night, and it was so great to see Ray.
Of course training camp was mentioned, and when told that there are no more two-a-days, he said, "Hey, I'll play right now!"
Ray was exceptionally gracious in crediting his teammate on the other side, Mike Haynes, for forcing teams to throw in Ray's direction and giving him more interception opportunities. When asked if he remembered any special play that stood out in his career, he thought about it, and finally said, "Every play. Every play is special." Sounds like a Patriot to me...
The shared adversity on those teams, of everyone playing under less than perfect conditions with less than totally supportive ownership, clearly bonded them, and I never heard Ray or any of his teammates make any excuses, which they could have.
When I left the theater, I got to finally see the Pat Patriot exhibit which of course is very impressive.
Then, I noticed posted on the lower wall to the right, a letter from Bob Kraft to creator Phil Bissell. It's dated February 18, 1994, and thanks Phil for his congratulatory note on Kraft's purchase of the team, and reiterates his commitment to building a championship team.
Then, hand-written under his signature, is an additional note, in large letters:
"I too prefer the old logo."
I stared at it, transfixed, and quietly flabbergasted. He shared the same opinion of all those former players and fans I'd spoken to for a quarter century.
I've been puzzling over it since, my mind going back and forth from a relationship long, long ago that succumbed to miscommunication, to the anticipated impending Goodell Gate III.
Well, I'll be there again tomorrow; perhaps I can pull Robert aside and simply ask him: What gives?
