BOSTON – After watching his beloved Patriots suffer a disappointing 24-20 loss Monday night to the Carolina Panthers, eight year old Aidan Hartley of Boston MA wondered if he will ever see a Pats championship in his lifetime, according to sources close to the frustrated youth.
“It’s just really hard to root for them sometimes, you know?” said Hartley, wearing his beloved Rob Gronkowski jersey and Patriots cap. “I mean, they’re pretty good most years. They almost always make the playoffs. But they just don’t seem to have what it takes to get over that hump and win a Super Bowl. At least, not that I’ve ever seen.”
Hartley, born Feb. 15, 2005, has been raised from birth as a New England fan by his parents John and Denise. And while the boy has seen his team lose in the playoffs to the Jets, Ravens, and Colts, as well as a pair of Super Bowls to the Giants, he has never known a Patriots championship in his lifetime, a fact that has begun to weigh on him.
“It gets really disappointing,” said the young fan. “Every year, I get my hopes up, and every year I end the season feeling crushed. Ethan, my friend at school, is a Steelers fan. He’s seen his team win two Super Bowls! Why did I get stuck rooting for a team of choke artists? It’s not fair!”
“I’m starting to think I might never see the Patriots win a Super Bowl,” concluded the youngster. “Man, being a Patriots fan is hard. Maybe they need a coaching change or something.”