For a few precious hours on Saturday, a bar at Chase Center transformed into an enclave of brutally loyal, shit-talking, and forever cocky Patriots fans.
I was one of them. And it was wicked good.
The gathering was personal. I was born about 45 minutes from Boston. As a kid growing up in the early 2000s, I watched the rise of the Patriots dynasty led by quarterback Tom Brady and coach Bill Belichick. After living in Seattle for about a decade — no, I’m not torn one bit about rooting for those loser Seahawks … in fact, I love rewatching Malcolm Butler’s game-winning interception (opens in new tab) in Super Bowl XLIX — I moved to San Francisco in 2015.
Former Patriots quarterback Scott Zolak joined fans in San Francisco. | Source: Jason Henry for The Standard
To be honest, I’m a fair-weather fan. Once the Patriots (or Red Sox) are in the playoffs, that’s when I start paying attention. After three relatively forlorn seasons out of the playoffs, the Pats are back in the Super Bowl, just as they should be.
When I heard there was going to be a safe space for Patriots fans in San Francisco during Super Bowl weekend — and as the only Boston sports fan at the office — I knew it was my moment to shine. I excitedly entered the den of Massholes.
Within five minutes, I ran into Jeff Guinee. Just inches away from the cocktail he was nursing, Guinee had a mock Vince Lombardi trophy made with foil, pizza boxes, and inked with a Sharpie pen — displayed proudly at the end of the bar. He’s from East Boston, or as the locals call it, Eastie.
Guinee with his faux Lombardi. | Source: Jason Henry for The Standard
“I’m a Masshole born and raised,” said Guinee, who is attending his eighth Super Bowl. He’s made one of the cardboard trophies for each one. I didn’t ask how he got through TSA with this one from Boston. He was successful in getting one through security at a playoff game two decades ago.
“2006 AFC Championship in Indianapolis,” he said. “We were up 18 points on [Colts quarterback] Peyton Manning. They came back late in the fourth quarter to take the lead. It got very hostile in the stands. All these Indy fans said, we’re going to the Super Bowl, that [trophy is] coming with us. And I’m like, no one’s going to get this if it’s not a Pats fan. So we had to break it.”
Just feet from Guinee was Kara Lee Brenneman, another Bostonian, who was holding a big cardboard head of quarterback Drake Maye’s face. She and her husband, Austin, had just come from the Connecticut Yankee, a watering hole in Potrero Hill that’s known enemy territory as a Pats bar.
Drake Maye and daddy Tom Brady on a t-shirt. | Source: Jason Henry for The Standard
“We went to the NFL Experience [at Moscone Center] and it was all fucking 49ers and Seahawks fans,” she said in a semi-thick Boston accent. “It was fine because, guess who wins more Super Bowls?”
The trash talk did not end there.
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“I don’t mind being around any fan base besides the Raiders,” Brenneman’s friend chimed in, explaining that he got robbed in Vegas one time.
“I don’t mind being around any fan base besides the Kansas City Chiefs,” said Brenneman.
Her husband groaned at the thought of the team. “Ugh, Taylor Swift. They’re all so annoying.”
I teared up a bit in recognition. It was like coming home.
Reporter Gabe Greschler, with his big brother and former Patriots players Richard Seymour and Tedy Bruschi in the 2000s.
My East Coast roots started in Sharon, a town of less than 20,000 south of Boston. Lots of Patriots fans and players actually know about Sharon. It’s next to Foxborough, the site of the Patriots’ Gillette Stadium.
My childhood was a damn good time to be a fan. I went to multiple Super Bowl parades held in Boston. I got to meet defensive end Richard Seymour and linebacker Tedy Bruschi. My brother got to meet Brady during training camp and still mentions it.
As I got older and moved away, I paid less attention to the team. I was always shocked (like everybody else) that Brady just kept on playing and winning, even as I got to college.
The Patriots mascot hangs out with the team’s cheerleaders. | Source: Jason Henry for The Standard
Brady has always been a figure of resilience for me. Whenever I’ve been insecure or felt like the underdog, I’ve thought of the guy who was the sixth-round draft pick and ignored by the rest of the NFL before becoming the Greatest of All Time.
And now, the Patriots are entering into Sunday’s game as a long-shot themselves. As strong as the smack-talking was during Saturday’s event, everyone was quick to admit that the Seahawks’ violent defense could be an issue for the Patriots.
But as every New England sports fan knows, you gotta have hope.
“My prediction is the Pats, 21-20,” said New Hampshire native Josh Dieterich. “Very close. Low scoring. It will probably come down to a last-minute touchdown drive.”
Patriots fans came to Splash Sports Bar on Saturday to cheer on their team. | Source: Jason Henry for The Standard
Rhode Islander Susan Kearney had similar thoughts. “My prediction is the boys are going to win,” she said. “It’s going to be a very defensive game. I’m predicting 21-17.”
And in good ol’ Boston fashion, there was a guy running his mouth.
“Nobody knows how great Drake Maye is, okay?” said Jason Scheinbarg, who was wearing a hat with a Vermont license plate attached that said PATSWIN. “I think we’re going to blow out the Seahawks by 20 points.”
Sorry, San Francisco. These are my people. And I’ll always love them.