A wise man once said, "I didn't come this far to only come this far, so we've still got further to go."
We've heard all the insults and quotes in the book; "Brady sucks," "The game is so rigged when it comes to the Patriots," "I hate you all," and our all time favorite, "Cheaters." Now, now, to the people that have constantly said these quotes, it is completely OK. There is nothing that can be said in the world that will stop me from being a Pats fan, and here's why.
Ever since I was young, football has been apart of my family traditions. On the Sunday of every season, my family and I would put on our Pats gear, order some food and sit down to watch our team play. Win or loose, we still got anxious for the next game day. There was something really special that came with wearing the red, white and blue on your chest, and "BRADY" across your back. I remember the first time I ever went to Gillette to see the boys play in action. I was thirteen and was consumed by such a powerful spirit and passion that was ten times bigger than myself. It just made me love the sport that much more.
The Patriots were, and still are, something that brings my Dad and I so much closer. Even now in college, we text throughout the entire game and I never fail to receive at least one "TOUCHDOWNNNNNNN" text from my Dad. Even on Sunday night when the Pats won the Super Bowl, I immediately got a call from him and we celebrated through cheers (and I'm sure some tears from both of us). Shout out to Tom Brady for bringing my Dad and I just that much closer.
The Pats have faced some of the greatest triumphs, but don't get me wrong, we've also experienced some of the lowest of the lows. The Patriots aren't always going to be Super Bowl Champs, and they haven't before. We've lost in the Super Bowl, the AFC Championship and countless in-season games. We have lost our quarterback for multiple games and some of our star players mid-season, as well. Through watching all of these moments, both good and bad, they have shown me that even though you may fail in the last stride of the race, you have to get back up and keep fighting. The Pats have shown me in my childhood all the way to today, that through success and failure you always have to fight. And, eventually, you will end up on top.
I'm not sure if it's similar in other places, but being born a New England sports fan is something that will never leave you. We are passionate, driven and emotional when it comes to our teams. Moving to a college not even in the same vicinity as New England has made me grow that much more excited when it comes to my team. No matter how many comments come my way, I will always root for the Pats. The New England Patriots have been apart of my life since the first day I can even remember, and I wouldn't change it for the world.
A wise man once said, “You wanna know which ring is my favorite? The next one.” Obviously, that wise man is Tom Brady.
Here's to a healthy offseason for Pats, lots of celebrations for Pats fan and many more rings to come. Let the count down to next season begin.
