“Win or lose, we’re diehard Patriots fans,’’ she said.
Smith-Englehart, who wore the jersey of former Pats linebacker Tedy Bruschi, said he and his mother watched the game at TGI Friday’s in North Attleborough, and the mood was somber when Brady’s final Hail Mary pass fell incomplete.
“Heads were hanging,’’ he said, adding that tight end Rob Gronkowski almost caught the tipped ball. “I really think the [ankle] injury restricted him.’’
Like many fans who lined the guardrails separating the faithful from the locker room and the player’s parking area, Smith-Englehart had a football that he hoped some Patriots would sign.
But when players and coaches exited the team buses that pulled into Gillette under State Police escort shortly before 3 p.m., they headed straight for the locker room or their vehicles.
Some players and coaches acknowledged the cheers by waving to the crowd, including wide receiver Wes Welker, head coach Bill Belichick, and team owner Robert Kraft.
As players gathered their luggage, fans shouted words of encouragement, including “Don’t worry Welker, you did good!’’ - an apparent reference to a key pass that the receiver was unable to corral late in the game.
Kimball Saurino, 67, of Orange wore a Pats cap and said that yesterday was a day to thank the Patriots for their efforts.
“This is one tough game; people get hurt,’’ Saurino said. “But overall, they were great [this season]. They gave us a lot to cheer about all year long.’’
Gabriel Pelletier, 43, of Lunenburg and his wife, Nancy, 40, arrived at Gillette at about 9:30 a.m. yesterday.
Pelletier displayed the Pats logo that he has tattooed on his right shoulder-blade and said the team has a lot to be proud of.
“They’re the only team I know of that stick together as a team,’’ he said. “Belichick and Brady, they’re the best coach and quarterback [combination] ever.’’
His wife wore a Pats winter hat with long strings and was bundled up in a team blanket. She admitted that the loss was difficult to take, but said she was hopeful for the future.
“They’ll try again next year,’’ she said. “We’ll be here rooting for them again.’’
Travis Andersen can be reached at tandersen@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @TAGlobe.
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