In this Feb. 5, 2017, file photo, New England Patriots’ Tom Brady raises the Vince Lombardi Trophy after defeating the Atlanta Falcons in overtime at the NFL Super Bowl 51 football game, in Houston. With five rings Tom Brady has already established himself as the most-decorated quarterback in Super Bowl history. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File)

In this Feb. 5, 2017, file photo, New England Patriots’ Tom Brady raises the Vince Lombardi Trophy after defeating the Atlanta Falcons in overtime at the NFL Super Bowl 51 football game, in Houston. With five rings Tom Brady has already established himself as the most-decorated quarterback in Super Bowl history. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File)

Don’t tear us apart

It’s an issue that’s driving my community apart.

I don’t mean the wall or the shutdown or the policies coming out of Juneau. I’m not even talking about the fish board or any recent decisions by the borough assembly or our city councils.

No, the wedge issue pitting neighbor against neighbor is the fact that the New England Patriots keep making it to the Super Bowl.

Don’t believe me? Let me offer this as proof. Just this past week, a young sports fan noticed that I my hat had a Patriots logo on it.

“Are you a Patriots fan?” he asked.

“Sure,” I said. “I grew up in that area.”

I was not prepared for the hostility in his response.

“We hate the Patriots,” he said.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

His family, he explained, roots for the Seahawks, and I guess they’re still not over that whole should’ve-handed-the-ball-to-Marshawn Lynch thing.

But hate? I guess it’s true what they say, that familiarity breeds contempt. I mean, I think this young fan was 10 or 11 years old, and if that’s the case, then the Patriots have played in about half the Super Bowls in his lifetime. Perhaps it might comfort him to know that since the 2007 season, the Patriots have lost more Super Bowls than they’ve won.

I guess if one of those wins was against your team, it can be hard to get over.

The Patriots are even causing some angst in my own household. Someone asked me if I get tired of watching my team going to the Super Bowl every year, and I have to say, yes, I do. As much as I like to see my favorite team play in the big game, here’s the problem: we can’t have Super Bowl parties any more.

I used to love hosting Super Bowl parties. We would pick a theme for the food based on the host city or the participating teams. (I have to thank the 2006 Chicago Bears for inspiring us to find a recipe for homemade deep dish pizza; it’s still one of our favorites. And Patriots haters should be appreciative of those 1985 Bears, too.) My kids, who are now in high school, grew up associating the Super Bowl with great food, and planning the menu was a great family bonding experience.

But it’s hard to be a good host and pay attention to the game. What’s more, watching football in our house has gotten to be pretty intense, and I’m not sure it’s appropriate for guests.

In fact, I’m not sure it’s appropriate for everyone in our household. I’m not worried about the kids at this point — they’re used to it — but our poor dogs!

I was traveling back from Wasilla when the Patriots were playing last week, so I’m not sure exactly what happened. But when I got home, one of our dogs was so skittish, he would barely even come to the door and spent the evening hiding in the bedroom. I guess there was a lot of yelling and screaming, maybe even more than usual. We had gotten him some sedatives because of all the fireworks in the neighborhood on New Year’s Eve, and now I’m thinking we might want to give him a dose before kickoff next week.

I know that at this point, there aren’t too many of you with any sympathy for me whatsoever. I’m not looking for sympathy. After all, the Patriots’ run of success is unprecedented. I don’t think even Patriots fans can quite comprehend how to deal with it.

No, I’m just asking for a little bit of understanding. Please know, we’re just as emotional about our team as you are about yours. When someone else says they hate our team, it hurts. And I just hate to see something like that drive us apart.

Will Morrow lives in Kenai. You can email him at wkmorrow@ptialaska.net.


• By WILL MORROW


More in Life

"Octopus" is an acrylic painting by new co-op member Heather Mann on display at Ptarmigan Arts in Homer, Alaska. Photo provided by Ptarmigan Arts
July First Friday in Homer

Homer’s galleries and public art spaces celebrate with new and ongoing exhibits.

Frank Rowley and his youngest child, Raymond, stand in knee-deep snow in front of the protective fence around the main substation for Mountain View Light & Power in Anchorage in 1948 or ’49. This photo was taken a year or two before Rowley moved to Kenai to begin supplying electrical power to the central peninsula. (Photo courtesy of the Rowley Family)
Let there be light: The electrifying Frank Rowley — Part 2

In July 1946, the soft-spoken Rowley was involved in an incident that for several consecutive days made the front page of the Anchorage Daily Times.

This nostalgic sauce is so shockingly simple, you’ll never buy a bottle again. Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion
America’s favorite culinary representative

The original recipe for ranch dressing was invented and perfected in Alaska, out in the bush in 1949.

Graphics show the nine finalists in three age groups for the Soldotna “I Voted” sticker design contest. (Provided by City of Soldotna)
Soldotna announces finalists for ‘I Voted’ sticker contest

Public voting will be open until July 20 to determine the winners.

Homer’s Cosmic Creature Club performs at the 2024 Concert on the Lawn at Karen Hornaday Park. (Emilie Springer/Homer News file)
July events to provide entertainment and fun on lower Kenai Peninsula

Events include the Highland Games, Concert on the Lawn, local art camps and the Ninilchik Rodeo.

Nick Varney
Unhinged Alaska: Flashback dreams and the cold sweats

When summer arrives, every personage in the known cosmos suddenly seems to remember that they have kindred living in Alaska.

File
Minister’s Message: Freedom is not what you think

If freedom isn’t what we first think it is, what is it?

This is the Kenai Power complex. The long side of the plant faces the Frank Rowley home, seen here at the right side of the photograph. (Photo courtesy of the Rowley Family)
Let there be light: The electrifying Frank Rowley — Part 1

Frank Rowley made one of the most important steps toward modernization in the history of Kenai.

This cake stacks colored crepes for a brilliant rainbow breakfast. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Crepes of a different color

This rainbow cake celebrates Pride with layers of colored crepes.

”Thread of Light” is an acrylic painting done this year by Dan Coe on display through June at the Art Shop Gallery in Homer, Alaska. Photo by Christina Whiting
Fine art in invented spaces

Anchor Point artist showcases his skills with exhibit of acrylic paintings.

A variety of peony blooms grow vibrantly on Pioneer Avenue on Thursday, July 25, 2024, in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
6th annual Peony Celebration begins July 1

The festival will run in Homer through Aug. 17.