“He’s just a monster,” Adams said. He asked his son, Jadon, if he agreed, and he nodded. “He’s the best tight end of all time,” Adams added.
Gronkowski injured his arm in last week’s playoff game against the Houston Texans, and is out for the rest of the season.
Here, Gronkowski celebrated a third-quarter touchdown in a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
YOUR FAVORITE NEW ENGLAND PATRIOT
You all love the Patriots, we know that, but you love different members of the team for different reasons. Maybe it’s all-American looks, or the brash attitude, or the pure athleticism of the player.
We interviewed some folks around Boston on Saturday and asked them who their favorite Patriot is. Click through the gallery to see the responses.
Pictured: Fans at last week’s game at Gillette Stadium, against the Houston Texans.
We caught up with Josh Adams, 39, of Granby, Conn., while he was entering The Shops at Prudential Center with his wife and 3-year-old son. Adams said he’s a lifelong Patriots fan, which means he’s seen plenty of the bad times, as well as the good.
His favorite Patriot: Tight end Rob Gronkowski.
“He’s just a monster,” Adams said. He asked his son, Jadon, if he agreed, and he nodded. “He’s the best tight end of all time,” Adams added.
Gronkowski injured his arm in last week’s playoff game against the Houston Texans, and is out for the rest of the season.
Here, Gronkowski celebrated a third-quarter touchdown in a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Chris Brito, 26, of Hyde Park, was shopping on Newbury Street. He started following the Pats in 2000 before their run of tremendous success began.
His favorite Patriot: Quarterback Tom Brady.
“He’s the greatest quarterback ever,” Brito said. It’s a subjective declaration, but one many believe to be true. A win against the Ravens in the AFC Championship game would give more credence to that belief.
Brady, wearing one of the team’s throwback jerseys, reacted after throwing a touchdown against the Buffalo Bills.
Fernando Pandolfi is from Italy and has lived for more than a decade in Argentina. But he’s still a die-hard Pats fan. He said he became a fan of the team after watching Super Bowl XXXVI, where the Patriots beat the St. Louis Rams. Pandolfi said he is in the country on business in New York, and he snuck up to the Boston area to catch Sunday’s game. We found him walking down Newbury Street.
His favorite Patriot: He hemmed and hawed at first, deciding between Brady and wide receiver Wes Welker. He chose Brady.
Pandolfi’s reasoning was simple. “He’s Tom Brady.”
Pictured: Brady threw a pass under pressure in a preseason game against the New Orleans Saints.
Julius of Allston was traversing Boylston Street, walking toward Copley Square, when we ran into him. He’s a long-time Patriots fan and surely will be watching Sunday’s game.
His favorite Patriot: Wide receiver Brandon Lloyd.
“He’s underrated and if they use him right, they’ll go to the Super Bowl,” Julius said. He said he’s a fan of Lloyd’s speed. “They don’t utilize him right,” he added.
Here, Lloyd leaped over a Tennessee Titans defender after a catch in the season opener.
Anilson Rocha, 38, of Brockton, was walking through the Boston Common on Saturday, clad in his Pats sweatshirt. He’s a 20-year fan of the team. “I don’t have a favorite player; I’m a whole Patriots fan,” he said.
He does have a favorite member of the organization, though: Coach Bill Belichick.
Rocha likes “the way he coaches the team.” Added Rocha: “He doesn’t give too much to the media; he’s a quiet guy.”
Belichick spoke to the media at a September news conference.
