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?
The 1996 season was monumental point in Patriots History. It started as most seasons did in the late 80's and 90's, SLOW. The Patriots started off 0-2 but won 10 of their next 13 games going to a hostile Giants Stadium. The Patriots needed this game to hold on to the division lead over the Buffalo Bills.
I remember being stuck helping my dad fix the furnace during this game. I left the TV on and had the volume blaring. I faked numerous bathroom breaks to check the score. I couldn't believe they were getting smoked 22-0 in the first half. I was dejected. Would they even make the playoffs? The TV stayed on. The comeback began. My Dad was looking for me all over the house. Meggett ran a punt back to cut the lead to 22-17. I was going crazy, but could they win it?!?!
I checked back a little later, and saw the Patriots in a position to score and win the game. Defying the odds, the team scored one last touchdown on a Drew Bledsoe pass to Ben Coates and won the game.
The Patriots were playoff bound! My friends and I couldn't believe it, and watched all of the games leading up to the Pats' showdown with the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Jags had upset the Broncos in a game that everyone thought Denver would easily win, so the Patriots would play Jacksonville.
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!
The Patriots came out with a furious flurry. The game was over before the Jags even walked on the field. The Patriots built a 13-3 lead going into the 4th quarter. Everyone in New England was waiting for certain implosion. Gritting their teeth. Putting on their favorite Pats T-shirt. Sitting in their super bad spirit slaying chair. Praying. Otis Smith let everyone breathe easy. He scooped up a fumble and galloped 47 yards for the decisive touchdown. After 5 cups of hot chocolate, my lips thawed so I could finally scream SUPER BOWL!!!
Everyone was ecstatic. The Pats had somehow defied the odds and reached the Super Bowl, bringing the city's feelings about the franchise to a new level altogether. They didn't win this one, but rumbling beneath the surface was the foundation of a dynasty that would blow us all away.
The 1996 season was monumental point in Patriots History. It started as most seasons did in the late 80's and 90's, SLOW. The Patriots started off 0-2 but won 10 of their next 13 games going to a hostile Giants Stadium. The Patriots needed this game to hold on to the division lead over the Buffalo Bills.
I remember being stuck helping my dad fix the furnace during this game. I left the TV on and had the volume blaring. I faked numerous bathroom breaks to check the score. I couldn't believe they were getting smoked 22-0 in the first half. I was dejected. Would they even make the playoffs? The TV stayed on. The comeback began. My Dad was looking for me all over the house. Meggett ran a punt back to cut the lead to 22-17. I was going crazy, but could they win it?!?!
I checked back a little later, and saw the Patriots in a position to score and win the game. Defying the odds, the team scored one last touchdown on a Drew Bledsoe pass to Ben Coates and won the game.
The Patriots were playoff bound! My friends and I couldn't believe it, and watched all of the games leading up to the Pats' showdown with the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Jags had upset the Broncos in a game that everyone thought Denver would easily win, so the Patriots would play Jacksonville.
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!
The Patriots came out with a furious flurry. The game was over before the Jags even walked on the field. The Patriots built a 13-3 lead going into the 4th quarter. Everyone in New England was waiting for certain implosion. Gritting their teeth. Putting on their favorite Pats T-shirt. Sitting in their super bad spirit slaying chair. Praying. Otis Smith let everyone breathe easy. He scooped up a fumble and galloped 47 yards for the decisive touchdown. After 5 cups of hot chocolate, my lips thawed so I could finally scream SUPER BOWL!!!
Everyone was ecstatic. The Pats had somehow defied the odds and reached the Super Bowl, bringing the city's feelings about the franchise to a new level altogether. They didn't win this one, but rumbling beneath the surface was the foundation of a dynasty that would blow us all away.
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