Celebrating a Record-Breaking Dynasty
HOUSTON, TX – FEBRUARY 05: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots holds the Vince Lombardi Trophy after defeating the Atlanta Falcons 34-28 during Super Bowl 51 at NRG Stadium on February 5, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
If we never quite understood why the New England Patriots were the most special franchise in the history of the NFL, other than the mention of Bill Belichick and Tom Brady, now we do.
Don’t get me wrong. Belichick and Brady are the greatest all-time in what they do.
There’s no question about that.
But we all learned what their presence meant to the rest of the team. It meant determination, mental toughness, calmness under pressure, key executions at the pivotal moments, and the ability to come back from the depths.
Now, there have been teams who have charged back from a deficit.
But this wasn’t a rally against a team that came to the realization they were over-matched. This remarkable comeback was against a great team that earned its way to the Super Bowl beating two outstanding teams, the Seahawks and the Packers in the process.
Down by 25 points, all of what the Patriots have represented in achieving all those previous Super Bowls and even challenging to get there as they did to no avail last year against Denver, paid off.
In forcing the first overtime in Super Bowl history and scoring 31 unanswered points to win its fifth title, the Patriots made it a game for the ages.
When the Falcons were dominating the Patriots by scoring touchdowns off turnovers, using their obvious advantage speed on both sides of the ball, I figured my prediction that the Falcons would prevail with an unstoppable offense looked safe.
But I recalled a text I received from someone I respect during the week when I asked him his opinion on the game. He wrote, “How can you go against NE even if Atlanta is better?”
How right he was.
All season long, when Belichick and Brady were asked why this team was so successful, they spoke of the mental toughness and sheer determination of the entire team and coaching staff.
So when they missed an extra-point they were undaunted. They took advantage of a turnover, scored, and stayed alive.
When the Falcons failed to get in position to try what would likely have been a game-clinching field goal, the Patriots pounced on the opportunity.
It was the Falcons who committed the critical holding penalty that took them out of field goal range.
When they needed two touchdowns they got them.
When they need a pair of two-point conversions they got them.
When they needed to get the touchdown to win the Super Bowl they got it.
So let’s celebrate a record-breaking dynasty. It may all start with Bill Belichick and Tom Brady. But it doesn’t end with them.
_________________________________________________
Keep an eye out for Dick’s podcasts, “Stockton!” He’ll take a different perspective on the world of sports and share stories that he has collected from his unique front-row seat. To learn more, visit http://www.StocktonPodcast.com.”
