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This ensemble included future dynasty members such as Tedy Bruschi, Adam Vinatieri, Ted Johnson, Ty Law, Willie McGinest, and Troy Brown. Being a season ticket holder since 1994, I grew up with these players. I saw their careers develop right before my eyes at my bench seats in Foxboro stadium and the future Gillette Stadium. How many people can say they saw the birth and maturation of a Dynasty?



One of my favorite seasons in the history of sport is the 1996 campaign for the Pats. Having started out in a rather uneventful manner, the team lost its first two games, but went on a very impressive run after this, improving its record to 10-5 during the weeks to come. They had a very tough match up against the Giants in New York.

Due to some other obligations at the time, I unfortunately couldn’t watch the whole thing. While the game was on in the other room, I checked back as often as I could, and the team was down by 22 in the second quarter. I couldn’t believe it. This was a critical game and their playoff berth depended on it. Somehow, they cut the Giants’ lead down to 5.

Troy Brown made a catch laying on his back on the final drive. This was one of a dozen plays that Brown made that changed Patriots history over his career. He is a true Patriot through and through. Selfless and team first. If any player would be considered a role model (parents should be role models first), Troy Brown should. Needless to say, the Patriots pulled off the comeback 23-22 with a Bledsoe to Ben Coates strike. The playoffs were on the horizon.

My friends and I amassed at my buddy’s house in Melrose to watch the Broncos-Jags game. We all figured the Broncos were a shoe in. The Pats playoffs hopes will be probably dashed in Denver the following week. Someone forgot to tell Marc Brunell that! Jags win 30-27. Pats win and AFC championship will be at Foxboro with me in attendance! Holy S%&$! The stars all aligned. The Patriots dismantled the Steelers in the fog bowl.

I remember you couldn’t see a thing between the fog and smoke from the pyrotechnics. However, I did get to see rookie wide-out sensation, Terry Glenn’s acrobatic catch at the goal line leading to the 28-3 victory. Bring on the Jags!! I remember that day like it was yesterday. It was freezing! The wind was wailing. We had no grill. My friends and I ended up eating subway ice cube sandwiches. My friend Cam forgot his ticket at home. However, none of these things could snuff Super Bowl fever which was gripping Foxboro stadium! My friends and I entered the stadium at bit toasty to combat the arctic weather outside. Our butts were frozen to the ice slabs which doubled for benches. It was game time!

Early in the game, the Pats scored and took the lead. It was a low scoring affair, partly due to the weather, but New England had more points and that’s all that mattered. A 13-3 win brought us to the Super Bowl.

We couldn’t believe it. We’d never experienced anything like this in our lifetimes, and we had just witnessed the most special of seasons. While we lost the game to the Packers that season, the best was still yet to come. How great it was.

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