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Patriots won hearts in year of great loss

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February 07, 2012|By Shalise Manza Young

Two of the rocks of the 2011 Patriots, slot receiver Wes Welker (left) and… (Yoon S. Byun/Globe Staff )

FOXBOROUGH - On a personally and professionally painful day, Robert Kraft and Bill Belichick took a few moments to reflect on a Patriots’ season that was at a crossroads at the midway point but ended with the team as AFC champions, and a crushing Super Bowl defeat.

Fresh off the team bus after flying home from Indianapolis yesterday, Kraft and Belichick were somber as they discussed a season that began with a death in the family and ended with a different kind of heartbreak.

“When we dedicated this season to my sweetheart [wife Myra] I met with the players and coaches and asked them to do everything they could do to make this season special in her honor,’’ Kraft said. “The fact that we had I believe it was 18 undrafted free agents and we’re changing the team and we started out 5-3 . . . I think our fans were just terrific the way they stayed with us.

“I must tell you that the strength of spirit that I saw with this team is unlike any other team I’ve seen in my 18 years in the NFL. I think that that sense of spirit was ignited by our fans - the way they supported our team and also the way they supported our family. That’s something I’m forever going to be grateful for because I think this was a memorable season and one that I won’t forget for a long time.’’

Kraft said last week in Indianapolis he had grown especially close to many members of the team because he spent more time in the locker room, admittedly looking for solace as he mourned the loss of his wife. Yesterday, he took a moment to thank each player for his effort during the course of the season.

He also got an outpouring of support from fans for playing a leading role in the resolution of the NFL’s labor dispute as he dealt with Myra’s illness.

“We’re all disappointed in what happened . . . I’m very proud of this team and what they accomplished this year. I will forever remember the special effort that the fans have given and the support they have given to my family and to this team,’’ Kraft said.

When the team returned to Gillette Stadium, a couple hundred fans gathered to show their support and thank the players and staff for their efforts.

Belichick appreciated the gesture.

“It was great to see our fans out there that were here when the buses pulled up,’’ he said. “It says a lot about those people and the fan base we have here. It’s much, much appreciated by all of us.’’

Over the last several weeks, Belichick frequently praised the team and the effort it gave throughout the season. Despite Sunday’s loss in Super Bowl XLVI, he did not waver yesterday.