The New England Patriots have been the most dominant team of this century, winning six Super Bowls and playing in three more.
With that knowledge, it’s not surprising that the fan base has grown and includes some of the players who are entering the league now, including Patriots rookie quarterback Joe Milton III.
“The craziest thing, for me, is I’ve been a Patriots fan my whole life,” Milton told reporters on Tuesday after the team’s organized team activity session. “I don’t like saying it, but I’m a Patriot now.”
How did Milton, who was born and raised in Florida, come to support a team nearly 1,300 miles away?
“My mom’s boyfriend at the time, when I was like eight, he was always watching the Patriots,” Milton said.”I used to always be outside playing football, but every time I’d come in the house, he always had the Patriots on. I just started following along, sitting on the couch and watching TV with him. Every time Tom Brady was playing, we were watching. It kind of grew on me.”
Milton may be the fourth quarterback on the depth chart at the moment, but donning a Patriots jersey is a dream come true.