The New England Patriots are back in the Superbowl

I screamed the Patriots into the Superbowl

by Cheryl, posted on January 23rd, 2012 in Just me

David took Sage to ice skating lessons. And then to softball practice, where he had to hand out photo packets and hit-a-thon envelopes, which is clearly the job of the team mom. Except this Sunday, the team mom was WAY too busy at home – screaming her lungs out for the New England Patriots in front of her TV. It was the AFC Championship against the Baltimore Ravens. I couldn’t miss it.

Maybe there seems something wrong in the cosmic order when it’s the woman who is the rabid football fan, specifically of the Patriots. But I guess David knew what he was in for when he married a sportswriter. I mean, if you don’t love sports, you probably shouldn’t make a career out of it. And if you don’t want your wife to love sports more than you do, also don’t marry someone who does what I did for a living.

I never covered an NFL beat. I did cover one Super Bowl, in Miami, when I worked in Palm Beach. I was one of a posse of reporters from my paper, and my seat was outside the press box, in the stands. When I went below to get interviews, it rained, shorting out my computer. I had to dictate on deadline. That was good times. Who says the job isn’t glamorous?

I grew up in Connecticut on the Patriots and Steve Grogan and white helmets with a red-white-and-blue patriot in a three-point stance, ready to hike the football. I bowed out for the Victor Kiam years, especially after the harassment of my lovely, beautiful and crazily-talented friend Lisa Olson. And then when Robert Kraft took over, I was back.

And now I live as far away from New England and Foxboro as I can and still be in the continental U.S. I can’t find any Patriots gear out here, but I have found friends who’ve grown up in New England and we cheer from afar. I *might* yell loud enough during games to be actually heard a few thousand miles away. Ahem.

My sister, who lived in Boston for years but now lives outside Philly, becomes so nervous she watches via computer rather than on TV. We frantically texted each other, because my sister and I wave the Patriots fan freak flag equally as high.

What else is there other than sports that can bring out such passion, such heartache, such elation, such incontinence, all within a few minutes or even seconds of each other?

Nothing. Which is why I love it.

I might have to be sedated for the Super Bowl. But then it just wouldn’t be as fun.

I’ll just stock up on Depends.

Tags: Baltimore Ravens, fan, incontinence, New England Patriots, Superbowl

Comments

15 Responses to “I screamed the Patriots into the Superbowl”

tracy@sellabitmum Says:
January 23rd, 2012 at 8:07 am

You are going to die when I tell you this – but I watched it too. What a crazy game!!!!
tracy@sellabitmum recently posted..When I’m Not Really Sure What I’m Doing Here..

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Cheryl Reply:
January 23rd, 2012 at 2:23 pm
I would respond to this, but I have, in fact, flat-lined. Also, I saw pigs flying overhead.

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Victoria KP Says:
January 23rd, 2012 at 8:19 am

It was a nail biter–that’s for sure. I didn’t get to watch most of the game because I had a rehearsal, but I kept checking the score on my phone backstage. I got home in time to see the last five minutes. My friends credited the ghost of Myra Kraft with causing the wind to blow away the Raven’s final field goal attempt .
Victoria KP recently posted..Fiction on Friday: The Bathing Suit

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Cheryl Reply:
January 23rd, 2012 at 2:24 pm
The last five minutes almost undid me. Hopefully Myra Kraft will continue watching over them the next couple weeks..

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Paula @lkg4sweetspot Says:
January 23rd, 2012 at 12:22 pm

I watched that game too, but my heart belongs to the team I grew up with – 49ers, who broke my heart yesterday with that game THEY SHOULD HAVE WON(ok, better now). I hope your Patriots go all the way!!

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Cheryl Reply:
January 23rd, 2012 at 2:24 pm
I was actually rooting for the 49ers and was so sad when they fumbled!

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Judy D Says:
January 23rd, 2012 at 1:36 pm

My hubs is the avid fan, except he doesn’t have A team, he watches it all, for the love of the game. He isn’t even in fantasy leagues, he just loves the battle. So, therefore, I watch too. We are big Danny Woodhead fans (being from Nebraska) and are excited he gets to play in the super bowl.

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Kris Says:
January 23rd, 2012 at 2:16 pm

As my husband said, the Patriots won because the other team lost. And now that San Fran isn’t in the Superbowl — We’ll be cheering for New York.

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Cheryl Reply:
January 23rd, 2012 at 2:26 pm
Ha. Tell Bruce not to be a hater. Even if the field goal had been good, the game would’ve only been tied and woud’ve gone to overtime. The bigger play was Starling slapping the ball out of the guy’s hands in the endzone – because a touchdown would’ve won it. Also? My quarterback’s prettier than yours!

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Kimberly Says:
January 23rd, 2012 at 4:10 pm

I had NO idea that you were a sports writer.
And I confess: I loathe football. Probably because when I was introduced to football, my husband was knee deep in his love for the Detroit Lions. He stuck with them even when they went 0-16…yea, so football to me is akin to stabbing myself in the eye with a fork
Kimberly recently posted..Debbie Does Dallas Versus Me…I Win

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Cheryl Reply:
January 23rd, 2012 at 4:55 pm
Really? I thought everyone knew. I was SO famous. NOT!

Also, watching yesterday’s game was akin to stabbing myself in an eye with a fork. Til the guy missed the field goal, that is..

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John Says:
January 23rd, 2012 at 4:13 pm

Simply, I’d pay money to watch the Super Bowl with you, even if I’m a Jets fan.
John recently posted..Where the topics I write about range from bacon to zombies to Strawberry Shortcake.

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Cheryl Reply:
January 23rd, 2012 at 4:56 pm
It’s not a pretty sight. My kids are so used to it it doesn’t even faze them. Even the new dog didn’t look up.

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Gramps Says:
January 23rd, 2012 at 4:49 pm

I’m a 9′r fan and I died a little yesterday. Maybe a lot

By the way, the picture in your blog today shows a LEFT HANDED QB. WHAT IS WITH THAT??????? Obviously you are living to far away from the Pats.

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Cheryl Reply:
January 23rd, 2012 at 4:54 pm
That? Is HYSTERICAL! I knew something looked wrong with it! It’s a tee shirt some site is selling. Now I’m glad I didn’t buy one!

Sorry about your 9ers. I was actually pulling for them. I like Alex Smith.

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