Spotting a Pats fan

CANTON, Ohio -- Andre Tippett has about 275 family and friends in attendance today, according to his wife Rhonda. That doesn't include others who have come to support Tippett, such as 38-year-old Skip Fosburg of Dayton, Ohio.

Fosburg, wearing a New England Patriots t-shirt, arrived at the Pro Football Hall of Fame at 8 a.m. this morning. To his surprise, he bumped into owner Robert Kraft while touring the Hall.

"I became a Patriots fan in 1976, just fell in love with the team," Fosburg said about 90 minutes before tonight's enshrinement ceremony. "I was six years old, but I remember them making the playoffs and losing to the Raiders on that phantom rushing the passer call. I think we got that one back in 2001."

Fosburg had been on the Patriots' season-ticket waiting list for the last 10 years, and recently received the good news that he would have tickets this year. He plans to travel from Ohio, where he's lived all his life, for the games.

As for his memories of Tippett, he said: "Just an awesome ferocious linebacker. The way New England was at that time, he didn't get the same recognition that Lawrence Taylor got. I think he would have if the roles were reversed."