Time to Stop Taking Tom Brady, Bill Belichick for Granted

by Julian Spivey
I know you’re tired of the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl. I know this because I’ve heard you say it and I’ve seen you write it about a thousand times since the Patriots won the AFC Championship game almost two weeks ago.
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I understand people being tired of the Patriots going to their eighth Super Bowl in the last 17 years, with them having won five of the seven already played, including two of the last three. Americans don’t seem to like dynasties in sports (unless it’s apparently the ‘90s Chicago Bulls) and the Patriots of the last two decades have been the New York Yankees of much of baseball’s run.

But, at some point you have to stop hating on the Patriots for being great and, if not learn to enjoy watching them, at least respect the historic run of Tom Brady, who may be the greatest quarterback in NFL history, and Bill Belichick, who likely has become the greatest coach in NFL history.  

Sometimes we don’t know the extent of the greatness we see in sports until it’s gone. And, I understand the Patriots have been great for so long that it feels like they’ll never be gone. But, Tom Brady (though possibly going to be the league’s MVP this season) is 40-years old and Belichick isn’t going to hang around forever (some even believe he might retire after this Super Bowl). I’m certainly not going to write them off after this season (that would be laughable, even though many did it after they won last year and look where they are now), but the odds are this will likely be their final run to the Super Bowl. I understand why some would cheer the end of their run, many sports fans clamor for new blood in championship games, though look how high the ratings typically are for “usual suspects” teams in any sport. But, please don’t be irritated by the Patriots in this year’s Super Bowl. Kick back and enjoy the entirety of the event that the majority of Americans, whether football fans or not tune in for. Enjoy the Snickers and Budweiser and Doritos commercials. Enjoy Justin Timberlake’s halftime show. Enjoy over indulging in chips and dip and those little weenies wrapped in crescent rolls. Enjoy Brady, Belichick and the Patriots too. It’s time to stop taking them for granted. Because greatness doesn’t last forever. 

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