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Spoiled? Not THIS Patriots fan | LEE GOLD-BLOG

We were the fans who showed up with brown bags on our heads because of the travesty that was the New England Patriots
Defensive lineman Gerald Williams of the Pittsburgh Steelers tackles quarterback Tommy Hodson of teh New England Patriots at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh, Penn. on Sept. 15, 1991

While Patriots Nation revels in yet another Super Bowl appearance (ho-hum), at the risk of sounding like my grandparents, let me tell you about MY Patriots childhood.

Aerial view of Foxboro Stadium during New England Patriots vs. Seattle Seahawks game on Sept. 20, 1992

They were a team that rarely won games, forget championships. The stadium was short on comfort with metal benches acting as the "premium" seats. Owner Victor Kiam threatened to move the team to St. Louis. And under his stewardship, a culture of sexual harassment permeated the locker room (google Lisa Olsen).

Tony Eason of the New England Patriots drops back to pass against the Chicago Bears during Super Bowl XX on Jan. 26, 1986 at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans

Even when the Patriots made their first run at a championship in 1986, Tony Eason became the first quarterback to start a Super Bowl and not complete a single pass.

We were the fans who showed up with brown bags on our heads because of the travesty that was the New England Patriots. So while many people in the wider football world are sick of the Pats winning all of the time, we old timers never get sick of it.

New England Patriots coach Dick MacPherson with quarterback Scott Zolak during a game against the Seattle Seahawks in Foxborough, Mass. on Sept. 20, 1993

After suffering the bitter taste of defeat for decades, being on the other side is so very, very sweet.

Lee Goldberg

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