New England Patriots
“That is how these guys roll. But it surely’s my job to, like I mentioned earlier, stop them from going to a different parade.”
SAN JOSE, Calif. — Jake Bobo doesn’t keep in mind which actual Tremendous Bowl parade he attended in Boston throughout the Patriots’ two-decade run of dominance.
In spite of everything, they have an inclination to mix collectively once you hoist six Lombardi Trophies in 20 years.
However the North Andover native — then donning a Tom Brady jersey — nonetheless vividly remembers duck boats carrying the Patriots by means of the chilly streets of Boston after one more triumph on soccer’s highest stage.
It’s a sight that Bobo — now a large receiver for the Seattle Seahawks — hopes doesn’t play out for the seventh time later subsequent week.
“All my buddies are rooting for the Pats,” Bobo mentioned Monday at Tremendous Bowl LX Opening Night time. “I’m being sincere with you, I type of take pleasure in taking part in the unhealthy man — being from that space — and never letting all these guys go to the parade. And so we’re gonna strive our greatest to do this.”
The 27-year-old receiver — now in his third season with Seattle — nonetheless holds loads of satisfaction for his New England roots.
“I feel it provides a sure type of toughness to my sport and character off the sphere, to be sincere,” the previous Belmont Hill standout mentioned of his regional ties.
The 6-foot-4 pass-catcher continues to be keen on his hometown groups, and bemoans the dearth of Dunkin’ within the Pacific Northwest.
“I’ve no different alternative,” Bobo mentioned of pivoting to Starbucks. “There’s no Dunks. It’s unbelievable.”
However his longstanding affinity for the Patriots presently stands as an afterthought — particularly with the Lombardi Trophy almost in his grasp.
“It’s so cool, I’ll attempt to downplay it. Make it appear to be it’s not that massive of a deal. However I can’t do it. I can’t wait. It’s gonna be a bizarre feeling seeing these logos on these helmets on the market.”
Whereas Bobo — very similar to the remainder of the collective Patriots fandom stretching from Bar Harbor to Bridgeport — cheered on Feb. 1, 2015 when Malcom Butler snatched Russell Wilson’s last-minute move on the goal-line, the onus now falls on each he and his teammates to curb the Patriots’ Cinderella season.
Bobo is coming off his greatest sport of the season within the NFC championship sport towards the Rams — reeling in a 17-yard landing from Sam Darnold in Seattle’s eventual win over Los Angeles.
It was a welcome sight for Bobo, who has seen his snaps drop this season as different pass-catching choices have emerged for Darnold. He solely recorded two catches and logged 19 p.c of Seattle’s offensive snaps throughout regular-season motion.
“All I actually need to do is contribute,” Bobo mentioned. “It’s type of my mindset going into sport day, going into the season, to be sincere with you. And meaning discovering no matter position I can to have the ability to do one thing to assist this group win.
“And so whether or not that’s going to be particular groups and taking place and making a deal with someplace, or catching the ball in the long run zone — both manner. I imply, you simply must be able to go together with that in your head.”
With many family and friends in attendance in Santa Clara on Sunday, Bobo is already visualizing an enormous sport for himself and his teammates — a lot to the dismay to his frends again house.
“Everybody that’s going to be right here — my rapid and prolonged household — the rule is you must root for the Hawks,” Bobo mentioned. “Now my shut pals which might be again house will likely be rooting for the Pats? … I wouldn’t need it another manner. That’s how these guys roll. But it surely’s my job to, like I mentioned earlier, stop them from going to a different parade.”
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