Cue the Duck Boats…Again!
Patriots Fans Come Together For Super Bowl LIII Victory Parade
Pro & College Sports Archives
It was my first ever (victory parade), so it was pretty intense.
— David Collins
Anywhere else in the country, Tuesday, Feb. 5 was most likely an ordinary day. But it was a perfect day in Boston. The weather was unseasonably warm and sunny, with temperatures reaching a record-tying 65 degrees. Throughout the city today there was a sea of red, white, and blue. The New England Patriots had just clinched their sixth Super Bowl, and they were ready to bring their past trophies along with their newest one back to Boston-or Titletown, USA, as some call it.
For fans attending Tuesday’s Patriots parade, no matter where they looked, people on the streets were there to support perhaps the most successful football team ever. This sixth Super Bowl win for the Patriots tied them for most all-time championship wins with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Kids and adults alike took days off of school and work to see their champions return home in a wild, celebratory victory parade.
It was my first Pats parade, but I’ve been to the Bruins and Red Sox (parades) too.
— Andrew Campbell
There were people of all ages donning their Patriots gear, many of whom had the same locker room hats and t-shirts their team received after their win. Others had custom shirts with their names on the back, and still others wore phrases like “New England vs. Everyone” and the classic Bill Belichick quote, “Do Your Job.”
Handing out posters to fans were Dick’s Sporting Goods and Plymouth Rock Assurance. A favorite was one that had a goat and a ram on either side of a “greater-than” math symbol. The goat was on the “greater-than” side.
The parade route began on Boylston Street at the Hynes Convention Center. From there, the Duck Boats passed the Public Garden and Boston Common. The final turn was onto Tremont Street, and the celebration ended at Boston’s City Hall.
It was easy to tell when the football champions were near. An uproar rose from the crowd as each Duck Boat came into view, carrying players, alumni, coaches, and cheerleaders. Music blared from the top of each float, and players danced and yelled to rile up their supporters. Red, white, and blue confetti flew into the sky, announcing the arrival of the New England Patriots.
Coach Bill Belichick was noted to be smiling away as he hoisted a prized Lombardi trophy. Owner Robert Kraft wore a heavy gold “Championships” chain around his neck, which he claimed was given to him by rapper Meek Mill. Quarterback Tom Brady lifted his daughter Vivian high with yet another trophy for all of Boston to see. In fact, the Patriots brought all six of their Vince Lombardi trophies with them. Wide receiver and MVP of Super Bowl LIII Julian Edelman got his fans to chant “MVP! MVP! MVP!” over and over again as he danced atop his Duck Boat.
Abington junior David Collins was one of those said fans chanting “MVP” to Edelman, but more “up close and personal.” Collins was lucky enough to be only two rows of people away from the passing boats.
“It was my first ever (victory parade), so it was pretty intense,” Collins told the Gazette. When asked who he was most excited to see, he replied, “The one, the only, the G.O.A.T- Tom Brady! And Julian Edelman was pretty funny, coming around dancing.”
Do you think the Patriots will win the Super Bowl next year too?
- Yes (67%, 2 Votes)
- No (33%, 1 Votes)
Total Voters: 3
Loading ...Not everyone was as lucky as Collins. Crowds reached around 1.5 million people, and some of the crowds were twenty-five to thirty people deep, so it wasn’t all that easy to see everything happening. Reports state that Tuesday’s victory parade may have been the largest Boston had ever seen. Kids were up on their parents’ shoulders, and the older, more daring climbed trees, traffic lights, and even buildings for a better view.
High security measures were taken during the event for this reason, with police and law enforcement officers at almost every corner.
Despite the predicted large crowds, Abington freshman Andrew Campbell decided to attend his first Patriots victory parade. “It was my first Pats parade, but I’ve been to the Bruins and Red Sox (parades) too,” Campbell said. “It was pretty fun, and there were two things that stood out to me most. One was the amount of intoxicated people that showed up, and two was when Gronk took his shirt off. That was funny.”
At the end of the celebration, patriotic confetti littered the streets. Tired, yet exhilarated fans made the long walks back to either train stations or their cars. Crumpled-up signs lay on the ground, still displaying their victorious messages to everyone.
The city of Boston then resumed to life as usual. However, both residents and fans know that it won’t be the last time a rambunctious, celebratory parade rolls down the city’s streets.
Maria Wood is a member of the Class of 2022. This is her third year on the Green Wave Gazette since she joined as a freshman. During March of her sophomore...
Emily Coulsey is a member of the class of 2021. This is her third year on the Green Wave Gazette, and her first year in the position as School News Insider....
