MurphysPatriots.com - DC's Home for Fans of the New England Patriots

So far this season, I’ve come across the spectrum of fans – from those whose die-hard convictions do not pale or blanch in the face of defeat, to those who abandon theirs if asked nicely enough (“Pretty please? Root for me, not them!”).

One instance early in the season was at the Cardinals game, when some schlump approached our “Blue Jersey Group” and asked which of us were Raiders fans (Where was Mom when you need her? Oh, right…sitting right there! Damn, should’ve thought of that one sooner…). Once he achieved the response he was seeking (total silence + looks to kill = SHOWTIME!), he began a tirade upon our most favorite and enjoyable of subjects…yes, my friends, he began to discuss the Tuck Rule.

You know, dear readers, I have only one thought that resonates throughout my mind when I hear this topic mentioned over and over, and that is get over it. How many times must I repeat myself about the consistent calling of this play, that it was used against us twice in the regular season of 2001, etc., etc. Even the response that Doug bribed Walt Coleman with a beer to overturn that call seems to fall on deaf ears. It’s as if Mattel recently reissued a football version of Chatty Cathy…known as Jabber Joe (Babbling Bob, Prattle Pete, etc.). Pull the string attached to his beer belly, and Jabber Joe says one of the following phrases:

1) WE’RE #1! WOOOO!	10) Who here’s a Raiders fan?
2) You guys suck	11) You stole the (game, Super Bowl, etc.)!
3) I need a beer.	12) I HURT myself!
4) I'm hungry.	13) Give me a beer.
5) You guys cheated.	14) I’m from Detroit, but I watch the (Raiders, Dolphins, etc.).
6) I'm drunk.	15) I only root for winning teams.
7) The refs handed you the (game, Snow Bowl, etc)	16) Let’s talk about the Tuck Rule.
8) What can you do now?	17) You lost! HAHAHAHAHA!
9) Your team sucks!	18) I’m leaving, ‘cause my team’s (winning, losing, etc.).

Since when does a fan have the right to complain about a “stolen opportunity” after their team returns to that field of glory???? I’ve always believed that you can complain, right or not, about your team’s missed opportunity until they obtain their second chance. If your team doesn’t play in the Super Bowl for another 30 years, then by all means, bitch your heart out. But if your team plays the following year, then SHUT UP ALREADY. You got your chance...hopefully, your team took advantage of it (take note, Raiders fans).

Another, more positive, encounter occurred at the office. One of my coworkers is a Seahawks fan, which takes a lot of endurance. Sound familiar, Pats fans? (I’m talking to the non-bandwagon types now…that means those who watched before Super Bowl XXXVI.) He was not a happy camper when I walked over to talk about the game on Monday morning.

I tried to console him as best I could, reminding him of the number of teams shut out to-date in the season and the fact his team still has a winning record, all to no avail. I also utilized my tried-but-true philosophy of teamwork and integrity as paramount for a good team (see Highest Valued Team? and Belichick at the Pinnacle), again a total dud. (I had to purchase the lackluster boy a bag of Cheetos to cheer him up…that seemed to do the trick.)

He seemed to be operating for awhile under the ill-conceived notion that I say these things because my team’s winning. “Oh, no, my dear boy,” I began, “I say these things because they are TRUTH. I have seen many a team win at all costs, and the payment is COSTLY.” Obviously, he has not been reading any of my articles, unlike a Steelers coworker (who at least lies to me to make me happy). Nor did he listen every time I discussed the trials and tribulations of my lifetime of fandom (see Brady’s Chin Dimple is Just Sooo Cute).

I can understand why, though, he was not paying close attention. I think it’s oftentimes impossible to understand that a fan of a winning team was previously the fan of a losing team (see America’s Game in Musings). FYI to fans of other teams or Patriots bandwagon-ers – The New England (neé Boston) Patriots were formed in 1960. Their first Super Bowl visit occurred in 1985 against the Bears…they lost. Their second attempt was in 1997 against the Packers…they lost. Their third and fourth were in 2001 and 2003, which they won. Whew.

Although our recent winnings have helped fuel the hunger and starvation suffered for 42 years, it has not kept the truly dedicated masses from forgetting what it’s like to lose (and, if we forget, the Bills or Jets or Dolphins are there to remind us as often as possible), and gives us an understanding of those fans who continue to support teams who haven’t even been as fortunate as we have been in recent years. We are lucky, and we know it.

I think I may have to begin leaving my coworker “Cheeto” breadcrumbs as a trail to the “Football Oracle” known as Murphy’s Patriots...

(Postscript: Prior to the publication of this article, I informed my Seahawks coworker of my intention to mention him in my next article. This led to a discussion of Boston sports fans and how tough they are on their teams, as he had heard this topic on both Mike & Mike and the Sports Reporters. I agreed that our fair lot is much more positive than many a home fan, as we have done without our teams in our wanderings far and wide. So, as a favor to my coworker, and because I can’t repeat it often enough, I want to remind my sweet, dear readers that the Jabber Joe doll comes in ALL 32 NFL TEAM COLORS…)