PatsFans.com Menu
PatsFans.com - The Hub For New England Patriots Fans
PatsFans.com - The Hub For New England Patriots Fans

HOME > Patriots Blog > Patriots Commentary

They Do Read Their Mail

Ian Logue
Ian Logue on Twitter
September 30, 1999 at 12:37 pm ET

🕑 Read Time: 2 minutes

Many folks out there dream of getting autographs from their favorite athletes. Feeling the joy of handing something to their heroes, and watching them sign their name to it, creating a lasting memory. While it may not always be possible to catch your favorite player on the way out of the stadium, here’s another good alternative to consider.
Sending a letter to an athlete may seem like a waste of time to most people out there. They feel it’s not worth it because the letter may never find it’s way to them to be read. But you’d be surprised.

I walked into the locker room one day after some of the players finished eating lunch. They walked over to their respective mail box, which is located in the locker room, and pick up their mail. They then walked over to their spot on their bench, (yes, this is Foxboro Stadium, it’s not just the fans that sit on benches. Theirs aren’t metal however) and began to open their letters. I turned my head to Larry Whigham. He held in one hand a fan letter, and in the other a football card. He smiled, set down the letter, reached into his locker for a Sharpie to sign his name to the card, and put it into an envelope to send back to a person who obviously had something nice to say about him.

I turned my head this time to Bruce Armstrong. Bruce was sitting down in his spot, and reading some of his own mail. He was obviously quite interested because when one of the players walked over to ask him a question, he put up his hand to let them know that he was busy. A letter from a fan had his attention at the moment.

More and more of this could be seen around the locker room. Players sitting in their respective areas, reading mail sent to them by fans who admire what they do.

For those of you out there who have been frustrated at the fact that players don’t always sign autographs after the games, you need to understand something. There’s a lot to being a professional athlete. Chances are that player may have been thinking about a play he didn’t make that he needed to, or about another player who is after his job. He also could have been thinking as he, unfortunately, walks by a young child, how much he misses his own children, and is trying to hurry home to go spend time with them. He could also simply have been very tired, which many of us can relate to after a long day at work.

Players really do appreciate their fans and enjoy reading fan mail. So the best advice I can offer all the fans who simply admire a player, and those who have dreamed of an autograph is quite simply, send a letter. While I won’t guarantee you’ll get an autograph, I can guarantee this:

They actually do read their mail.

Send Fan Letters to:

(The Player’s Name)
c/o Foxboro Stadium
60 Washington Street
Foxboro, MA 02035-9801

About Ian Logue

Ian Logue is a Seacoast native and owner and senior writer for PatsFans.com, an independent media site covering the New England Patriots and has been running this site in one form or another since 1997.


Tags: Bruce Armstrong Larry Whigham New England Patriots Patriots fans

Comments are closed.

More Patriots News Headlines:

Patriots News 04-19, Countdown To Draft Day

Patriots News 04-19, Countdown To Draft Day

By: Steve Balestrieri
Will Mike Vrabel address the Dianna Russini situation? New England's draft strategy targets edge speed, weighing A.J. Brown trade rumors.
20 hours ago
MORSE: Patriots Mock Draft 6 – A Week Before the Draft

MORSE: Patriots Mock Draft 6 – A Week Before the Draft

By: Mark Morse
Previewing the Patriots' latest mock draft, which includes a strategic trade down for depth, focusing on OT Blake Miller, LB Jacob Rodriguez, and other key…
3 days ago
TRANSCRIPT: Eliot Wolf Pre-Draft Press Conference 4/13

TRANSCRIPT: Eliot Wolf Pre-Draft Press Conference 4/13

By: Ian Logue
Eliot Wolf details the Patriots' pre-draft process, discussing their fluid draft board, trade flexibility, and positional value. He addresses team needs.
6 days ago
Patriots News 04-12, What To Watch For In The NFL Draft

Patriots News 04-12, What To Watch For In The NFL Draft

By: Steve Balestrieri
The Patriots prepare for the NFL Draft, discussing trade options, wide receiver strategy, Shane Bowen's hire, and Marte Mapu's recent trade.
1 week ago
MORSE: Pre-Draft Patriots News and Notes

MORSE: Pre-Draft Patriots News and Notes

By: Mark Morse
Analyzing the Patriots' pre-draft landscape, with Eliot Wolf's presser, Hall of Fame finalists, draft picks, spring schedule, and Mike Vrabel updates.
1 week ago

Free Newsletter

BE THE FIRST TO KNOW

Join 2,000+ fans getting exclusive stats, analysis, and insights delivered straight to their inbox every week. Never miss a play.

📊
Weekly Stats Deep-dive analysis
🎯
First Access New features & tools
📤
Breaking News Player Signings & Rumors

Subscribe Now

* required

Intuit Mailchimp