Wicked happy

New England comes together to root for Patriots

Boston sports fans celebrate the city's first championship in 16 years. AP

BOSTON (AP) -- Bars and living rooms across New England were filled with joy when Adam Vinatieri kicked a 48-yard field goal with seven seconds to play to give the Patriots a 20-17 victory Sunday against the St. Louis Rams in the Super Bowl.

"We're the champions of the world," Marshfield native Scott Kantor exclaimed as he and 300 other fans at the Sports Depot restaurant in Boston leaped in the air as Vinatieri's kick sailed between the uprights.

Pats fans didn't need to be in the Big Easy to celebrate -- they slammed on horns after pouring out of bars throughout Boston, where they danced in the streets. There will be more celebrations Tuesday, when the city hosts a parade from Copley Square to City Hall Plaza at noon.

"Nobody gave us any respect at all," Kantor continued, pausing to catch his breath as fans went crazy. "All the so-called experts had us being blown out. No one thought we could do it except for us."

Police in Boston and surrounding towns reported fan rowdiness in streets, but no immediate reports of arrests or property damage. More than 1,000 fans filled Kenmore Square and chanted anti-New York Yankee slogans.

Championship-starved New England sports fans packed bars and joined friends and family in living rooms across the six-state region to watch the underdog Patriots.

It's been 16 years since a Boston sports team won a championship -- when the Celtics took the NBA title in 1986 -- and the Rams were 14-point favorites to beat Bill Belichick's overachievers.

Diane Sheridan of Brighton said the 1986 Red Sox -- losers to the New York Mets in the World Series -- were on her mind as Vinatieri lined up.

"That's the Red Sox for you -- I said we're not going to win this, even as everyone was going crazy," she said.

Dan Shapira said the win will impact the whole region, and its sports teams.

"For so long, the city's been known as being losers," said Shapira, of Framingham. "The tables are going to turn. The fans are going to feed off this and support all the teams."

Kevin Moran, a season ticket holder from Tolland, Conn., said the win is healthy for all of New England.

"Everything that's happened since Sept. 11 with flights originating from Boston and affecting everybody from southern Connecticut to Maine, this is something that shows we're a region, and not a city," said Moran, who held a small party at his home.

In a crowded and noisy Coach's Sports Bar and Grille in Hartford, Conn., Patriots fan Hilda Bockius cheered wildly just 3 feet from John Damon, who shook his head sadly as his Rams lost.

"Yes, yes, please, yes," said Bockius as she watched -- mouth covered with both hands -- as Vinatieri kicked the winning field goal.

"I think I'm going to cry," said Bockius, a New London resident. "This is the third time we've been in the Super Bowl. We deserve this."

Pauline Hackney and Michael Pouliot kissed and hugged and cheered and stomped for the Patriots throughout the game. The couple traveled to Coach's from Greenwich, a town in southwestern Connecticut which Hackney said is "too New York."

Despite the history of frustration for the sports fans of the region, there was plenty of hope on this Sunday.

"I said before the game that if the defense can put points on the board, they'd have a chance," said Ron-e Bates, general manager of the Sportsman's Bar & Grill in Portland, Maine.

The bar hosted 200 fans and members of the Maine Freeze of the National Women's Football League and the Southern Maine Raging Bulls of the New England Football League. Bates is a defensive back for the Bulls and defensive coordinator for the Freeze.

The bar got very noisy when Ty Law picked off Kurt Warner's pass and returned it for a touchdown in the second quarter, giving the Patriots a 7-3 lead.

New England fans have had their share of suffering. The perpetually disappointing Red Sox haven't made it to the World Series since 1986. The Bruins were blown out of their most recent Stanley Cup final, in 1990, and the Celtics only now are showing signs of life after years of ineptitude in the 1990s.

The Patriots' second Super Bowl appearance in six years was a surprise to all. The team went 5-11 last year and started this season 1-3.

New England fans have known considerable share of suffering. The perpetually disappointing Red Sox haven't made it to the World Series since 1986. The Bruins were blown out of their most recent Stanley Cup, in 1990, and the Celtics only now are showing signs of life after years of ineptitude in the 1990s.

"The Celtics are next and then the Red Sox," Patriots defensive back lawyer Milloy told reporters after the game.

The win was sweet for loyal New Englanders in Connecticut, a state that is split down the middle in terms of rooting for Boston and New York sports teams.

"As New England fans, you're set up so many times," Hackney said. "Finally, finally," she said of the victory for a New England team.

The Patriots' second Super Bowl appearance in six years was a surprise to all. The team went 5-11 last year and started this season 1-3.

In a living room in Bedford, N.H., Justin Souther said he was optimistic at halftime.

"I expected something good like this from the defense, but I'm a little surprised about the offense," said Souther, of Weare, N.H.

 

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