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Zip's
 Journey
 
People
will never fully understand my great fortune this season. I am so entirely
overwhelmed I cannot do justice to this experience but I will make my
preliminary effort. This will be an entirely personal sharing of a
tremendous experience for which I shall endeavor to provide a glimpse into the
many special moments which produced this journey.
Before
the tales - first the pictures which soon will be interspersed with
stories. "The Pats Won the Superbowl!"
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starters there was this impressive send-off party which was also called the
"AFC Championship Game." I had a 'few' friends join me at my
home to celebrate the impending victory as well as the impending trip! - See
Tailgate Page! |
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This
provided me with a no sleep trip to New York City to appear on the Rosie
O'Donnell show. My Brother and his family joined me in NY to share in the
experience and prepare for the Big Easy portion which wasn't too far away.
Great feasting at the Manhattan Diner and then Tuesday brought Rosie! (Possible
Video clip of Rosie coming soon)
Back
home on Tuesday for a quick night's sleep after Jose arrived. The
excitement of the Steelers win had barely passed and the mounting Superbowl
Euphoria was starting to overwhelm me... and we are talking Tuesday!
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The odd detail of Tuesday was my DSL line was down which prevented me
from paying for my 2002 Season tickets 'online' and there was some fear
of disaster initially but we resolved the issue.
WMUR-TV9 joined us Wednesday Morning with a cameraman actually in the
car with us.
(possible film clip soon)
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Waiting at MHT
Last need for the AFC Championship Sweat! |
| Last call to 'confirm' my Season Tickets |
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On
the plane without any difficulty, we had the Ostend upgrade to bulkhead which
put us one row behind Jim Fassell, head coach of the New York Football
Giants. We kept quiet until other boarders recognized him and the
floodgates were opened. As it subsided we took the opportunity to speak
about the "Patriot Chances" while his accomplice ogled Ostend.
He was willing to concede the point spread but gave New England little hope - of
course he thought his Giants might win out again as well.
The
Hotel was impressive but booking Jose and I in a King size wasn't good.
Actually I amend this statement - we got a day-bed so my getting the King didn't
interfere with my enjoyment much! We arrived early evening and after a bit
of room preparation (hanging Patriot Flags and such) we enjoyed our longest meal
of the trip. The 'fine dining' was indeed fine and we closed the place
with a decadent repast.
| Mornings were not an easy time for the often sleep deprived but we
wasted little time getting in 'game' shape for each day. Oz
learned to grab power naps at every room opportunity while Jose learned
the late night woes and I explored the mornings earlier than any human
should manage. Too much excitement for sleep.
First morning was a 5a.m. call for "Fox and Friends" the
nationally syndicated Fox news show which wanted the Visa Hall of Fans
members to make an early appearance at Jackson Square.
Meanwhile Jose found a Ram source of information
regarding Pace and Faulk. Interesting tidbits and a feeling of
immersing deeper into the Superbowl lore. Jose also found "Patriot
mardi gras beads!" He also got the layout of the city which would
help us seek trouble. Where did all his extra beads originate?
We may never find out!
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No Pictures Jose!
Oz atones for our ugly mugs!
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The
theme of the first few days was to do my Media 'responsibilities' during the
morning and afternoon whilst freeing us up to carouse in the evenings.
This was Thursday and Friday. We managed the infamous Patty O'Brien's for
the origin of the Hurricane and our first exposure to the exposure of New
Orleans! ;-) It was not a 'first hand' experience as many have inquired.
At the media
Center there was something for everyone... or at least those who sold out to the
media. It didn't deter Ostend from finding his own fame while Zip and
Kathy did radio shows, TV interviews along with many newspaper tidbits!
Visa gave us an unforgettable trip and we did them some justice as we helped
promote the Visa Hall of Fans program which will hopefully grow in
popularity. It already is the most popular wing of the Pro-Football Hall
of Fame in Canton, Ohio.
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The Real Celebrity:
Ostend attends his
Loving Fans! |
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Here the rest of us ride his coat tails
to fame and glory. How did Keith
interpose like this?! |
Back to a few more
Media shots after the 'Ostend' interlude. Sitting in with the WEEI
folks was too brief but quite fun - especially razzing Smerlas for his
first (and last) smart-a$$ comment!
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Really there
was a game after all this media hype - just be greatful it wasn't a two-week
interlude. German National TV was our widest array but there were dozens
of interviews in the two days of touring the 1.5 mile Media Center!
Emmitt Smith
As a Visa
Representative, Emmitt spent far more of his time than either of the 'Ultimate
Fans' could have expected. He was exceedingly cordial and friendly prior
to his run of interviews. He signed a Superbowl hat for Zip: "Good
luck Tedy, Full Tilt-Full Time - Emmitt Smith" which was sent to Tedy's
room at the Fairmont.
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But first - there
was Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville to continue the Cajun Cuisine in the
wild world of N'awlins! |
| Though few things
were as fun as the Patriots Team Hotel (The Fairmont) which boasted very
cool bartenders appropriately adorned no less! There we learned
Pepper Johnson can forget his two (now three!) Superbowl rings at
the bar. We also spent a brief bit of time with someone who
referred to the Pats as "My Team." Apparently with some
credence as he was David Kraft. His remora-esque 'friends' were
neither Pats fans or even hopeful of a Patriot win. |
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Patriot Pep Rally Saturday night at Corners Oyster Bar! Droves
of Patriot fans packed this Patriotic bar which survives and
occasionally thrives in the fringe of Bourbon Street! Internet
Pats fans collected here to share their Patriotic confidence as more
than 1000 Pats fans found the informal gathering!! |
The above
celebrations included a closing at the Fairmont (Patriot Hotel) which was
highlighted by finding tickets for the entire crew along the way - at face value
even! The Celebration would have been wild and wonderful of it's own
accord. Having been named the Fan of the Year this year made the
experience exponentially more surreal and enjoyable. Every twenty paces
someone would call out to me or ask to pose for a picture with me or
congratulate me... Congratulations for being a fan is surprising since being a
fan has always been reward enough for me. It doesn't lessen the wonder of
the experience and my appreciation for my kindred Patriot Fans!
| Finally the Long Awaited Day arrives - Game Day!
As we prepared in New Orleans - my own home was again hosting a few
folk who could not have a Patriot Superbowl without a trip to Zip's
Abode! Thanks to Bob, Sarah and Kirsten for handling it all and
leaving my place as clean (or better) than when I left! Look
here!
We Suited up, painted up and made a stop to the NFL (a.k.a. "Jerry
Rice) Tailgate Party. This was a spectacle event and many big
names were available to accompany the free food and drink.
We had our Hurricanes and some food but the Superdome was calling...
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The Fox crew of Ram Fans was located directly beneath our excellent
seats: Section 215, Row 1, Seats 1 & 2,'
They took a bit of heat for their relentless
Ramfatuation which was only mildly worse than their
Steelerfatuation! Pre-game was
forever...
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| Monty dropped by with the crew (Jill, Bama, Steve) to wish us well and
admire our seat fortune. Kathy dropped by as classy as she was the
entire trip - wishing us each well and hoping for a good game...
Finally .... KICK-OFF! We were
at the Superbowl |
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My Full Superbowl
Game Review is here! When the game
was done and stunned silence (for a micro-second of eternity) had run it's
course, the tsunami of emotional euphoria will long hold firm in my
memory. There was shouting, jumping (*without falling off the balcony!),
hugging, crying, dancing, singing (We are the Champions of course) and then pure
exaltations with many around us... further words are unnecessary... the images
likely show it all!
  
  
Finally there were two things remaining. The Ultimate Rams
Fan's team had been vanquished and her very cool phone message was first in my
room to congratulate me. Our "Wager" ensured she would pose in a
Tedy Bruschi Jersey the following morning... she complied with considerable
grace!
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We took our shuttle to Pensacola Florida and said our farewells to
Rocko and Karen. It was 20 hours of traveling home with many
disasters such as cancelled flights and missed connections. The
Cab ride from Providence in the middle of the night was all nothing
however for we could continually tell each other: "The New
England Patriots Won the Superbowl" and suddenly all was right.... |
Fan of the Year
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Zip's
