How to Be a Patriots Fan

Being a Patriots fan is more than yelling, face painting and chest thumping. To be a true fan one must be able to defend his/her team from all and any attacks. A Pats fan must be armed with defenses against bandwagon accusations. It is a difficult road, but the destination contains endless rewards.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• A hat, jersey, computer and/or Boston Globe subscription and dedication.

1. Learn the roster. Yes this can be difficult because players move yearly, but it is the players that make up the team; know them and you know the team.
2. Know each week who the Patriots play, when they play and where they play. If you get caught in an office conversation on Tuesday about football and any of these questions arise, you must be able to answer them. Remember, the Patriots have 3 Super Bowl rings and the bandwagon is running out of room. If you cannot answer basic questions about the team you will be labeled a bandwagon fan, eliminating your right to the Monday bragging session.
3. Educating yourself. Don't stop at watching ESPN, read the Boston Globe, surf the web for Patriots blogs, stories and other interesting facts and figures. Google the New England Patriots; read and learn because that education will pay off. Everyone knows about Tom Brady, but drop a few lines about Matt Light, such as he won the Big Ten Championship and Super Bowl in consecutive years, then there will be no questioning your fandom.
4. Avoid rude or arrogant comments. Enjoy the victory, but always remember there is next week and people are just waiting to pounce on that first Pats defeat. It won't matter who beats them or how many games they win before or after, so being a good winner and happy winner should lighten the attacks.
5. Last but most important, remember football is a game, not your life. A fan enjoys the game, relishes in a victory and anguishes in defeat. But hey come Monday, well okay Tuesday, it is time to move on. Don't ignore your wife, become short at work and/or blow off the kids because your team lost. Keep the game in perspective for what it is; a game.