One of my fondest memories had to be the first playoff football game I have ever been to. It was December 2007; the New England Patriots were playing the Jacksonville Jaguars. At around 11:00am my best friend Anthony and I arrived at Gillette stadium. The weather couldn’t have been more than a crisp 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Anthony surprised me with the tickets not letting me know where we were going to be sitting and observing the game he said, “You will see for yourself, it’s a surprise”. Just wound up to get this day started and get to the game I let him have the satisfaction of surprising me.
As we pulled up, I noticed that we were pulling into the box seat parking lot; my smile couldn’t get any bigger. I was as happy as a 5 year old child opening up his presents on Christmas morning. Every parking lot was as full as it could be with at least a fifteen minute waiting period. We passed the gate and entered a practically empty parking lot. Before Anthony could put the car in park I opened my door and jumped out with anticipation. As soon as we became situated, we began to light a fire in the fire pit we brought to keep warm. Even though the weather was freezing, we began to set up around our car for tailgating. We ecstatically started to play beer pong in our snow gloves, Patriots sweatshirts and jackets. What first was an adrenaline rush soon became early stages of hypothermia; needless to say the first few beers took care of that. After starting the grill and polishing off a few hamburgers and hot dogs the game was just around the corner. We made our way up the packed escalator which seemed to be the stairway to heaven. As I walked by the concession stands into a crowd of 70,000 screaming fans, I knew I was in for the time of my life. As Anthony and I got to our seats all we saw was a sea of blue, silver, and red and white fans cheering for the game to start. As I sipped on my beer waiting for the horn to blow and the game to start, the Patriots marched onto the field with perfection and integrity. Everyone and I started shouting and chanting “P – A – T – S PATS! PATS! PATS!” as the Jacksonville Jaguars won the toss and elected to receive as the Patriots defended the North goal.
With the first quarter almost over and my heart beating like a lab rat, the Patriots could not be in control of the Jaguars, struggling to contain a surprise passing attack. The grip of my beer became more firm as the Jaguars shocked both the spectators and the Patriots with an 80-yard opening touchdown drive that were remarkable for the fact that the Jaguars took to the air. The Jaguars completed a 34-yard completion to Marcedes Lewis with an 8-yard touchdown pass that went to Matt Jones. It was the first time since Bill Belichick became the coach that the Patriots have given up points on an opening drive in a playoff game. Now it is finally time for the unstoppable Patriots to show what their unbelievable, record – setting offense was made of. The fans didn’t even seem fazed by Jacksonville’s score, confident that the Patriots couldn’t be subdued. The Patriots receive the kickoff as the whole stadium erupts in udder chaos. Chad Jackson brings it out of the end zone like so many times before with intentions to run it back, but only made it to the 19 yard line. Finally, the anticipation was over, Brady and the phenomenal Patriots offense took the field like so many times before. Tom terrific walks up to the line for his first play with the sheer presence of greatness.”Blue forty two, blue forty two, set hut, hut, and the ball snapped. Brady dropped back as Moss sprinted his way down the sideline, right before the ball left Brady’s hand, he was sacked. The fans were disappointed but didn’t lose hope. They marched down the field and finished the drive with a touchdown pass to Ben Watson . At the end of the 1st quarter the score was 7 – 7 with the game tied.

Although we were feeling apprehensive about the second quarter Anthony and I knew the Patriots would come back with a bang. While the clumsy heavy set man next to us barely knew his name from being too intoxicated the second quarter had begun. Just as we assumed the New England Patriots Maroney gets the ball back; with the crowd cheering as each of Maroney’s long strides came closer to a touchdown. As the spectators and I were all standing and shouting over joyful with the Patriots breaking the tie, the clumsy heavy set man next to me dropped his steaming hot nachos with cheese all over my brand new jersey. Holding my right hand in a fist ready to aim at his face I tried not to lose my composure, cleaned up the mess and ignored the fact that I was sitting next to an ignoramus. Getting back in game mode everyone goes crazy as the Jacksonville Jaguars player Garrad passes to Wilford scoring a touchdown. “BOO-BOO-BOO” everyone one is roaring. To end the 2nd quarter New England Patriots get the ball back but miss the field goal.
At the beginning of halftime my right hand is numb from the bitter cold weather yet still clenched in a fist from wanting to punch ignoramus in the face. During halftime Anthony and I discussed the game over a cup of hot coffee roaming the concessions barely able to move with all the fans crowding around like a herd of cattle. Even though my jersey was ruined and I had almost got in a fight the clumsy intoxicated man, I still was having the time of my life. I was at a New England Patriots game in box seats and couldn’t be happier. To spread my joy I decided to buy my two older brothers and I Tom Brady jerseys.
Starting the third quarter I called my brothers and told them what a phenomenal time I was having and that I had some gifts for them when I got home. As the Patriots team of red, white, silver and nautical blue came trotting out from the locker rooms I knew they were ready to win it BIG and had faith our New England team would come back strong and this second half. With the Patriots having the ball, player Welker caught a pass scoring another TOUCHDOWN. My adrenaline was pumping as the Jaguars get the ball back and scoring a field goal but not to worry New England Patriots come back for redemption scoring a touchdown pass to player Ben Watson ending the 3rd quarter.
The final quarter begins with the crowd chanting “P-A-T-S PATS! PATS! PATS! GO PATS”. The Jaguars start off the quarter driving the ball down the field and getting a field goal, leaving the Patriots no other option but to answer right back by getting a field goal for themselves. The crowd is so loud you can hardly hear the sports announcer, Jacksonville gets the ball back with the clock ticking away. Rodney Harrison like the superstar that he is comes out of nowhere intercepting the ball from the Jags and seals the deal. The volume of the spectators, cheerleaders, little children and the Patriots players had sprung to a deafening tone. Women and men hugging and kissing even pushing and shoving with gratification of the marvelous win by the New England Patriots.
As the chanting slowly came to a mumble, we reluctantly began to make our way to the parking lot. People were passing by still chanting for the Patriots as if they were still playing. As we made our way to the escalator I began to notice the effect the long day had on the fans. As I scanned the parking lot, I noticed people doing everything from sleeping to getting rowdy and still tailgating. My Friends and I made our way to the car arguing about who was the most sober to drive. That argument quickly came to a halt as Anthony and myself were the only ones still standing. I was reluctant to drive so I gave the keys to Anthony. As the car hit the highway and homebound we were, I began to reflect on the time that just passed. I took a look around the car at the noisy sleepers in the back and Anthony driving ever so intently, I knew that I had just experience one of the best times in my life.