Patriots captains split on return of ‘Pat Patriot’ throwback uniforms
FOXBORO –The last time the Patriots wore their red throwback uniforms, President Obama was finishing his first term, “The Avengers” had recently been released on DVD and only three Lombardi Trophies were on display at Gillette Stadium.
Despite the long layoff, and the ongoing buildup to the uniform’s highly anticipated return Sunday, current players are split on wearing Pat Patriot again.
“I think the hype about that is for the fans. … It’ll make some money, but I think for us, it’s about going out there and playing good football and going out there and trying to get a win,” Pats captain Devin McCourty said of the red jerseys. “At 1-3, I want that winning feeling on Sunday. We haven’t had it but one time this year, and I think that’s the focus. And I think that’s a good thing.
“Guys aren’t in the locker room talking about the excitement of the red jersey and white helmet.”
McCourty and longtime special teamer Matthew Slater are the only current Patriots to have worn the uniform before. The Pats last donned them during a 29-26 overtime win over the Jets in Oct. 2012.
Fellow captain David Andrews shared a personal anecdote this week, saying he once attended a football camp where former Patriots center Pete Brock was coaching. Andrews remembered seeing the “Pat Patriot” logo tattooed on Brock’s calf every practice, unaware of Brock’s 12-year NFL career or longstanding ties to the franchise.
“I was a sophomore in high school and had no idea who he was, in all honesty. But I always remembered he had the old-school logo as a calf tattoo,” Andrews said. “The world works in funny ways. Here I am now, getting to wear it.”
But as far as wearing the logo on his helmet against Detroit, Andrews added: “(The) only thing that matters is we’re going to play the Lions this week. (It) looks good or whatever, but it really doesn’t matter.”
On the other hand, defensive lineman Deatrich Wise shared he was excited to honor franchise history and make some of his own. The team wore the red “Pat Patriot” uniforms for most of its first three-plus decades of existence.
“Really cool. Yeah, really cool,” Wise said. “It’s my first throwback game, so I’m excited.”
from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/Nne8Yi3
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