A banner occasion had look of a winner

Ceremonies commemorating the Patriots' triumph over the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl XXXVIII were part of a one-hour live pregame special on ABC that featured musical performances from four stages at the stadium.

As legendary recording artist Elton John sang with the Boston Pops on a stage just to the left of the lighthouse and below the scoreboard, event staff set up a stage in the middle of the field that included an oversized replica Super Bowl trophy. Huge red, white, and blue balloons surrounded the stage. After the musical performance, Patriots owner Robert Kraft took the stage and was greeted by a rousing ovation from the capacity crowd.

"Fans of New England," he began, "exactly two years ago to the day, I stood here with you to celebrate a very special evening. On that night, we opened the privately financed Gillette Stadium and raised our first championship banner in our 42-year history.

"Both of these tremendous accomplishments would not have been possible without the unwavering support of you, the fans of New England. On behalf of our family and our team, we thank you very much.

"If you had asked me that evening what would have to happen for us to be standing here within two years to the day, celebrating our second world championship . . ."

Kraft then stopped in mid-sentence because the applause from the crowd became deafening.

"I would have said that the men who make up this team would have to resist the temptation of individual opportunities and distractions that come with being a champion. They would have to put aside their egos. They would have to remember that nothing is more powerful than 53 men working together with a common purpose and goal.

"Last season, our players exemplified this concept of team and the result was our second championship, an accomplishment that is symbolized by the banner which I am now proud to unveil with all of you."

Then, as choral music blared from the loudspeakers and fireworks shot into the air, the covering was dropped from the banner that read, "New England Patriots, World Champions 2003." Placed just to the right of the Super Bowl XXXVI championship banner, the new banner also has the Patriots logo as well as the Super Bowl XXXVIII logo.

Fans cheered as the banner was unveiled and then Kraft said, "Now, I am proud to introduce the team and coaching staff that brought us this banner, your world champion New England Patriots."

The team ran out to a standing ovation.

Sept. 9 has held much significance in Patriots history. Last night's event was held two years to the day after the grand opening of Gillette Stadium. The Patriots hosted the Pittsburgh Steelers on "Monday Night Football" and triumphed, 30-14. Moreover, on Sept. 9, 1960, the Patriots played their first regular-season game, opening with a 13-10 loss to Denver at Boston University before a crowd of 21,597.