For six years, from 1963 until 1968, the Patriots franchise called the Boston Red Sox’ Fenway Park their home. When the team moved out of the stadium in 1969 to leave for Boston College’s Alumni Stadium, professional football left. However, while there no longer were AFL/NFL games being played at Fenway Park, the sport made an appearance every now and then.
The most noteworthy of those appearances: Hosting the region’s Super Bowl championship teams. The New England Patriots have had the honor of bringing the Vince Lombardi Trophy to Boston four prior times – yesterday, with trophy number five in their hands, they made another appearance on the Red Sox’ home turf:
Making an entrance. #OpeningDay pic.twitter.com/9E0Gc7jsGs
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) April 3, 2017
Team owner Robert Kraft was joined by quarterback Tom Brady, tight end Rob Gronkowski and running backs James White and Dion Lewis in presenting the team’s five trophies. Brady also presented his recently returned jersey from Super Bowl LI – but quickly saw it stolen again, courtesy of one Mr. Robert Gronkowski.
After Brady chased down and tackled Gronkowski, the greatest quarterback in NFL history was greeted by Boston Mayor Marty Walsh and "Brady, Brady"-chants before delivering the inaugural first pitch of the Red Sox’ 2017 season:
So Rob Gronkowski just stole Opening Day Show and Tom Brady's SB jersey again. Might be the most Gronk thing ever. And Brady scrambling. pic.twitter.com/nhy8HphA6V
— Mike Petraglia (@Trags) April 3, 2017
The Red Sox went on to win the game 5-3. To watch more clips of the pre-game festivities, visit patriots.com and the MLB’s website.