FanPost

Story of an immigrant Pats Fan

I came to this country in 2005 and during my grad school days, one of my fondest memories was learning football by playing Madden with my friends.

When I started grad school in Aug 2005, I did not know how many players lined up for each snap - however, by the time I graduated in Fall 2007, I had learnt enough football to appreciate what Belichick and the Pats did every season. One of the prime reasons was because the guy who was teaching me football always picked the Patriots in Madden - he kept saying that was because they were the team that had the best football brains.

The first experience of supporting Pats in a superbowl was memorable for all the wrong reasons. I was in living Tampa, FL and ended up being trolled by folks in the bar where I was watching the game. I could not understand how the offense that set records just wasn't able to win it. I still remember the walk back to my apartment and how miserable I felt. The fact that Brady got injured the next season did not help matters, either.

The thing I remember most about my second experience of watching Pats in the big game was cursing at Wes Welker. I was watching the game with a guy who basically wanted to come along to make fun of me if the Pats lost. And in the end, he got his wish fulfilled. :(

During this time (2007 - 2013), I was able to learn more about football (thanks to SmartFootball, Grantland Podcast and Football Outsiders). It amazed me to see how Belichick had morphed and adapted to the changing rules and still kept winning. Since I lived in Tampa, FL, I also like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. I saw first hand how the feared Tampa 2 defense was deciphered and how the team has been mired in mediocrity since that Superbowl win. It made me understand what an impossible feat BB had achieved in the era of salary caps, reduced practice times and sports science and analytics. All this has made Superbowl 49 and 51 so much more sweeter. 2 of the best superbowls I have had the chance to see live and both games ended up establishing that Belichick is probably the smartest person to set foot on a football field.

The wicked fourth was ruined (in small part) by that-controversy-that-was-concocted-by-sore-losers - which made yesterday's win my favorite Patriot moment (that I have witnessed). Yes, some of the folks who were watching with me were upset about some of the political affiliations and who voted for who. However, I support the Patriots as a sports team and my criticism or fanboy moments are going to be based on what happens on the field and not what happens off it. It was just magical that the game flow resembled a summer blockbuster movie script - where the larger than life protagonist gets punched in the mouth and then goes on to clinically dismantle the bad guys. My only regret is that the parade is happening on Tuesday instead of Thu/Fri. I was really planning to go to the parade (I live in New Jersey and so have a 4-5 hour drive to make it) and am feeling bummed about not being there.

As an immigrant, I have really been able to live the American dream - come here, work hard (there were weeks during my grad school where I was able to sleep for 2 nights) and make a better life for me and my family. There are so many things about this country that amaze me and makes me feel thankful every single day. The chance to watch and follow a team that has earned every victory and redefined what success means has definitely been one of the highlights.

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