Author Archives: @fhmccabe

About @fhmccabe

Frank McCabe is an avid relaxer and Chinese food (i.e. Mai Tai) connoisseur. When he is not tending to his ‘real’ job, his wife and three children, Frank escapes reality by writing and inventing anything “funny” that pops in his head. A former Ski Mask supermodel, Frank subscribes to the theory that life is short…and, well, that kinda sucks, doesn’t it? In his downtime Frank enjoys skinny skiing and going to bullfights on acid. Some of Frank's writings include: Book: Can I Be Frank?: An Auto-Blog-graphy, published December 2012 Screenplay: St. Patrick’s Day, 2013 WGA Registration Number: 1239438 Contributing Writer / Blogger, Can I Be Frank & Crew July 2014 – Present Contributing Writer/Blogger, Sons of Franky Cabot June 2013 – May 2014 Contributing Writer/Blogger, Boston Sports Extra August 2017 -

Meet Sweet Feet: A Conversation with James White

Leave a reply

James White has become an integral part of the juggernaut that is the New England Patriots offense.  Drafted in 2014, White quickly demonstrated that he would be a special member of this team.

He’s even had a few memorable plays, ya know, like this one?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Axj4FVhkoL8

Can’t Beat Sweet Feet

A multiple threat, running back White has delivered on the biggest stage and evolved in to a fan favorite; for his on- and off-field actions.

White recently took over as as the face of Mayo Bowl, the highly successful charity event benefitting Boston Medical Center  hosted by former Patriots linebacker Jerod Mayo.

Boston Sports Extra spoke with ‘Sweet Feet’ White about Mayo Bowl, the state of affairs with the Pats and his inability to lose.  We even coerced him into a little game we titled ‘One Word with White’.

When we talked with James, he was enjoying his one-day-off-per-week Tuesday (I actually think he just woke up), and immediately demonstrated the quality seemingly all Patriots players possess; the inability to share ANY inside information.  We had some fun anyway.

James gets White to the point

Boston Sports Extra: James, thanks for speaking with us.  Right out of the gate, I need to ask what is on everyone’s mind; injuries.  The Patriots are plagued with injuries to several key contributors.  What’s the situation in the locker room?  Any panic or change of game plan?

JW: No, we just take one day at a time.  We look at the situation, and make changes.  Yeah, some key guys are hurt, but they just keep rehabbing so they can all get back on the field.  Next man up.

(Oh boy, this interview is already feeling very Belichick-ian)

Boston Sports Extra: With these injuries, you and others need to step up and create plays.  You caught eight balls last week, only two– rush attempts. Is this what we can plan to see out of the Patriots while you have some key guys on the sidelines?

JM: Like I said, guys just need to step up and do what we have to do.  Next man up, that’s how we all need to be.

Boston Sports Extra: Sure, but this has to impact how you prepare and practice?  Shift from normal game planning?

JW: I don’t control the practices.  That’s Bill and Josh’s jobs.  I just do what I do.  They coach.

(Jesus, this guy might be worse than B.B. at the podium)

Boston Sports Extra: OK, this line of question is not working.  You are a career-long Patriot and you had an incredibly successful college career (at Wisconsin) and in high school (at St. Thomas Aquinas in Florida).  Question.  Do you know how to lose football games?

JW: Ha,ha.  Yes, I have been very blessed and fortunate in my career as a player.  I have been a part of great teams.  All of them seemed to possess the same qualities.  The common thread was being a tight- knit group.  Working hard every day.  All these teams I played on had those qualities.

(Yup, this guy is actually a robot spun out of a lab at Gillette Stadium)

Boston Sports Extra: Last question before we talk about Mayo Bowl.  Tom Brady robbed you of the MVP in SuperBowl 51.  We all know that.  But did you ever think “pitch sweep right” would be the call that would win the greatest Super Bowl in history?

JW: (awkward, uncomfortable giggle/throat clear about Brady comment) I never would have thought I would be in that position.  I am so thankful for that opportunity and that it worked out the way it.  It was incredible and I was lucky to be a part of it.

We’re on to Mayo Bowl

Boston Sports Extra: Talk about Mayo Bowl this Monday night.

JW: Sure,  I am really excited to be taking this event on, on behalf of Jerod and (his wife) Chantel.  He thought I would be a good candidate and I have been working with him and Blue Sky to create another great evening. They have raised $1.6 million dollars since it started; $485,000 just last year.  I am very lucky.  Not to mention, Boston Medical Center is such a wonderful place.  I have visited there many times and it is just such a caring place to children.  Proud to be taking this on.  I have come to love the Boston community since coming here.

‘One Word with White’

Boston Sports Extra: Alright James, time for the tough questions.  Came up with a little game called ‘One Word with White’.  Based on all your other brief answers, this should be a piece of cake.  Or will it?  I will provide an adjective and you to name the teammate that best fits that description.

JW: Oh man.

Boston Sports Extra: You ready?  Here we go.

(there was a long pause and many ‘ums’ and ‘ah’s’ throughout these next series of questions.  He was feeling the ‘hot seat’.)

Which teammate or coach is…

BSE: Funniest?

JW Ahhhhhhh….I mean.  I don’t know.

BSE: Come on, man, this is the easy one!

JW:  Alright…Julian…and…..McCourty…I guess.

BSE: Fine. Next.  Best Dancer?

JW: Allen Branch

BSE: Best Dressed?

JW: Lot of goods ones.  I’d say Tom….and Jimmy.  Both those guys are pretty slick.

BSE: Craziest?

JW: I don’t know if I can…

BSE: Fine. Craziest on the field?

JW: James Devlin

BSE: Toughest?

JW: Dont’a Hightower

BSE: Smack talker?

JW:  Ah, probably Jules.

BSE: Superstitious?

JW:  I don’t know, but I don’t have any superstitions

Now let’s really put him on the spot

BSE: Locker smells the worst?

JW: (crazy, weird laughter) That whole place smells funky!

BSE: Drunkest after Super Bowl 51?

JW: Come on, man.

BSE: Just answer.  Give me something!

(silence)

BSE: Ok, ok.  Last one.  You have to respond.  Deal?

JW: Go ahead.

BSE: Belichick, Brady and McDaniels are in a burning building and you can only save one?

JW:  Oh my God, no way I am touching that one, dude.

************************************

Well, Mr. White, I guess you win this round of ‘cat and mouse’, but I will get answers from you.

Before we hung up I informed him that I will be traveling down with the team and DraftKings on behalf of Boston Sports Extra for the Tampa Bay game on October 5th.

BSE: Maybe I will get some more answer out of you then?  Or we can arm wrestle?

JW: Maybe.

 

Frank McCabe is a contributing writer for Boston Sports Extra/Patriots Extra.  You can follow him on Twitter @fhmccabe

[contact-form][contact-field label=”Name” type=”name” required=”true” /][contact-field label=”Email” type=”email” required=”true” /][contact-field label=”Website” type=”url” /][contact-field label=”Message” type=”textarea” /][/contact-form]

 

 

 

 

 

For the Love of the Game…

Leave a reply

It’s game day.

Your buddies are over your house.

Pacing the room with excitement for kickoff.

Running to the fridge to grab another round of beers.

High-fiving when the Patriots score.

Maybe toss the pigskin around the yard at halftime?

Nothing better, right?

Meet Matt

Matt will never be able to do any of these game day routines.

Matt is 8 years old and holds a diagnosis of Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA).  SMA is a disease that robs people of physical strength by affecting the motor nerve cells in the spinal cord, taking away the ability to walk, eat, or breathe. It is the number one genetic cause of death for infants.

SMA sucks, but what this disease has not robbed Matt of is his love, passion and flat-out acumen for all-things-sports.

This is not about SMA.  This is about a kid who smiles through all his challenges and many of those smiles appear on his handsome face when he is watching sports.  Sports, in particular, the New England Patriots, allows Matt that same feeling of excitement we all get when enjoying our favorite teams play the games.  Watching sports puts Matt on a level playing field with the rest of us.  And while Matt can not run around and play catch or high-five his older brother, he gets that same pit of joy in his belly when kickoff/first pitch/tip-off happens.

Matt is 162 Red Sox kid.  An 82 Celtics kid and certainly a 16 (ok, 19) Patriots kind of guy.

This boy is an animal for it all….and a student.

Matt knows football

Here is his quick pre-season rundown he spits out to Mom on a ride to the doctors the other day…

Matt on the Pat’s Season

Matt absorbs sports knowledge like a sponge.  He can literally rattle off every play in order when watching Superbowl 51…because he has literally watched it 51 times (at least).  Being with Matt during a game makes it better.  He doesn’t miss a play, a pitch or a jump shot.

Here is another clip right before kickoff Thursday night…

Matt is “pumped”

He rattled off every NCAA March Madness seed to me last spring.  How about doing your math homework instead, chief?

I caught Matt watching a 2012 NBA finals game on-demand.  Were the Celtics even in that one, weirdo?

I almost told his parents to have him committed for a psychiatric evaluation!

Matt makes you truly appreciate those high-fives and games of catch that he can’t participate in.  In perhaps its’ purest form, Matt demonstrates why we love sports and that his passion can not be taken away from him by any ailment or perceived “disability”.

Matt is the man.  (Did I mention he is my nephew?)

And lastly, if you are ever in a bar debating what was the greatest touchdown in football history, I’ll settle the bet for you, ’cause Matt scored it in the storied Westford Pop Warner E season opener of 2015.

2017 Patriots’ Opener: The Average Fan’s Day

Leave a reply

Gillette Stadium seats approximately 66,000 people.  As, a lifelong New Englandah’ I will describe with confidence the exact experience that about half of those ticket holders will endure. This coming Thursday, our Super Bowl Champion Patriots take the field to kick off the 2017 NFL season.

Am I making some biased judgements and stereotyping about our fans?  You betcha.  Am I accurate?  Yes, yes I am.  (Remember that Saturday Night Live skit?  It’s pretty much like that with a football game included)

The average Patriots fan’s game day experience

Fan’s Name: Jimmy “Murph” Murphy

Occupation: Verizon Technician

Hometown: Weymouth, Massachusetts

September 7th, 2017

8:11AM

Murph texts his game buddies some ridiculous motivational message like “GameDay bitches” or “#LetsGO”

9:28AM

Snoozing in his Verizon truck counting the minutes until he can duck out of work

11:17AM

Crushes a Subway Italian B.M.T. bragging to his fellow lineman ‘How f*cked up he is gonna get at the game‘ and probably will be ‘”bangin’ in sick on Friday‘

Lyin’ to go to the Rayzah ain’t a lie

2:26PM

Punches out early and races home

2:27PM

Pulls in to Kappy’s Liquors.  Grabs two 30 racks of Bud Heavies, a bottle of Fireball for the game and a tallboy Heineken single for the ride to the house.

3:01PM

Slaps on his “vintage” Doug Flutie Patriots jersey to complement his Lee carpenter jeans and Timberland workbooks (take a few hits off the bong while waiting for his jackass buddies to pick him up.  (“Where are these assholes?” mumbles to himself).

 

Jet Fuel?  Check.

3:24PM

Finishes packing cooler.  Grabs ticket.  Sitting on froth steps.  Two more beers imbibed during this ‘process.’

3:39PM

Murph’s buddies roll up to his house in a 2012 Ford F-150.  Truck is packed with a full tailgate spread, a TV and that bumper sticker of the guy pissing on a New York Yankees emblem.  Tobes, Dunny and, the driver, Moose are ready to roll.

3:48PM

Tobes spills beer and gets screamed at and mocked by the other three

3:49PM

Tobes: F*ck you guys.

4:18PM

Traffic on Route 1 sucks.  Dunny has to piss and they are not pulling over so he fills the empty Gatorade Skoal dip-spit bottle he found under the driver’s seat.  Pours said urine out drivers side window.  Some sprays on Moose.  Dope slap delivered to Dunny’s dome.

4:39PM

Enter Gillette parking lot.  Tailgate setup is down to a science.  Murph and Dunny immediately start playing 10-car length catch and do zero of the work.

5:01PM

Grill is lit, TV is on, crew is about nine-beer level and the insane statements and predictions begin.

“16-0…definitely.”

“Edelman sucked anyway.”

“I heard Brady has hair plugs.”

“You get any of those Bahstool towels?”

“Goodell is a piece of sh%t.”

6:22PM

FIREBALL!

Beer goggles

6:36PM

Dunny attempts to ‘get some girls ovah heeya’.  

7:03PM

Murph throws up a little behind the truck.  Hides it from the boys.

7:32PM

‘We should get in there’.  Two beers shotgunned all around to get the buzz up knowing they are looking at $11 Bud Lights inside The Big Razor.

7:46PM

March in to Gillette begins.  Moose nearly gets in a fight with “some p#$$y with a Jets jersey on“.

7:48PM

Tobes forgot his ticket on the dashboard.  Has to run back.  Murph throws an 1/2 empty beer at him as he turns back.

7:52PM

Quick hit of the one-ie for Dunny.

7:55PM

Enter gates

Blitz for Six — it’s on

8:07PM

Stadium rocking.  Goodell hate-chants begin.

8:15 – 11:45PM

Banner, Anthem, and the complete dismantling of the Kansas City Chiefs

11:45PM – February 2018

ROAD TO SUPER BOWL 52!

 

P.S. Murph never made it to work the next day.

Lowell’s Take on McGregor-Mayweather

Leave a reply

A little off the grid here for the readers of Boston Sports Extra, but one of the biggest (and sure to be disappointing) sporting events is just hours away.

Conor McGregor versus Floyd Mayweather.  Mixed Martial Arts versus Boxing.  Ireland versus Badhumanistan.

Vegas odds have this publicity debacle going all Mayweather (+400 last I checked).  As a proud Irish-American, I am certainly pulling for “The Notorious” (not to mention I have never been a fan of domestic abusers…but I digress).

Lowell’s Irish Boxing Heritage

Anyway, today I am here to speak on behalf of the City of Lowell, Massachusetts.  Lowell is the birthplace and home to arguably the greatest “Irish” fighter in history,  Micky Ward.

Ward was a journeyman boxer who literally and figuratively punched his way to the top of the fight game in the 1990s and early 2000s.  Most remember Ward for his epic three-fight installment against Arturo “Thunder” Gatti, which included possibly the greatest round in history, right Jim Lampley?  Do yourself a favor, take a three-minute break from reading this and watch Round 9 .

Besides his battles against Gatti, Ward gained fame for two other things…

  1. His story, told on the big screen in the Oscar winning movie, The Fighter.  Mark Wahlberg made his own personal love of Ward and his history a Hollywood classic.
  2. His brother.  Self-proclaimed boxing legend Dickie Eklund.  Dickie is famous for “knocking down” Sugar Ray Leonard and, of course, his 1995 HBO Special, High on Crack Street.

Boxing Strategy, Run Amok

Point being, Lowell natives know a few things about insane Irish behavior, boxing, and on-screen drama…so we have a great appreciation and understanding of this Mayweather-McGregor media phenomenon that surely won’t live up to Round 9.  On the bright side, I polled some of Lowell’s ‘sophistcants’ and asked for their advice, suggestions and general commentary they could offer Mr. McGregor, in victory or defeat.

Here are some of my favorites…(again, not my words…just some unfiltered truth from the Mill City)

  • Dress up like a woman, Bugs Bunny style, cause then if you get hit, it violates Mayweather probation and he goes to jail.  Automatic win.
  • Have a couple of beers before the fight.  The Irish are always tougher after a few pops.
  • Imagine —  if you win, Conor, you get a rotary named after you.

  • Any chance the Lucky Charms guy is available for your entourage?
  • Irish guy in Vegas in August?  Don’t worry about odds, worry about the sun poisoning.
  • You have the opportunity to go back to Ireland with a world championship belt.  Most Irish guys only return on with the clap
  • Worst part of your trip is probably recognizing that EVERYONE is Vegas has that tiger chest tattoo
  • If you leave Las Vegas without your head in a vice or ice picks in your balls; consider yourself a winner (Casino reference, btw)
  • Best advice I can offer Conor, borrow $6mill from Dana White and bet on Mayweather
  • If you lose, you cant wear your ‘Fuck You’ suit anymore.  But you can borrow my ‘I got fucked up suit. (Hint, its really just a Larry Bird jersey and some wind pants)
  • If you are gonna bite his ear, at least finish your meal.  There are kids in Ireland that would kill for an ear.
  • If you are gonna lose, use the golden rule we all learned, kick your opponent.
  • We all know you are gonna lose.  The least you could do is try to fight like the Notre Dame mascot

Yeah anyway…so ‘man on the street’ in Lowell gathered a lot of….insight?  Candor?  Analysis?  I don’t know but this city is totally batshit.

Enjoy the fight, lads!

P.S.  Watch a real series of fights here

Rapping with Rapaport

Leave a reply

I had the pleasure of interviewing actor, author, activist, coffee spokesmodel, podcaster, fantasy football analyst and hard core New Yorker Michael Rapaport earlier this week. Michael has had a very versatile and interesting career in the past 20+ years. The fiery red head brings a ton of energy to everything he does. In addition to being in some cult classic movies like True Romance and Beautiful Girls, Rapaport has delved into the world of the sports and rap music throughout his career.

Nice work if you can get it.

And despite his deep and proud Big Apple swagger, Rapaport has recently become somewhat of an adopted son of Boston and New England at large. Recently he has teamed up with several local brands including…

Cumberland Farms: Rapaport serves at their ‘advertising barista’ touting their low-cost, high- quality coffee in their pursuit to steal some market share beans from other local java giants like Dunkin Donuts and Honeydew.

Barstool Sports: the lifestyle and sports enterprise that has taken the country by storm with the audacious content, no-holds-barred credo and up-to-the-minute-of-everything across social media.

DraftKings: The powerful on-line Fantasy Sports engine that is the latest and greatest thing to all happen to sports and gambling junkies.

Rapaport will host an event this Sunday, August 20th, at Gillette Stadium titled DraftKings Fantasy Sportsfest; the premier annual festival for football fans, offering pre-season insight from football insiders, behind-the-scenes access and a day of premium entertainment just weeks from the kickoff of the fantasy football season.

Rapaport discussed the event, his Boston-New York relationship, his upcoming book and even played a spirited game of ‘Speed Round’ where he displayed brutal honesty with Boston Sports Extra.

(Disclaimer: Michael is a world-class talker so I paraphrased his answers for words’ sake!  Guy is a hurricane of enthusiasm.)

@BosSportsExtra: You’re a hard core New Yorker. Your New York accent has a New York accent, yet you seemed to be drawn to the Boston scene given some of the brands and companies you have aligned with.  What’s the deal?

Rapaport: Look, Boston is an awesome city.  I love it.  I think New York and Boston will always have a love/hate relationship; but at the same time, we respect one another.  We both live and die by our sports teams.  We have broken each other’s hearts over the years, but there is just something special about the cities’ rivalry.  But I do love Boston and New England as a whole.

@BosSportsExtra: Talk to me a little about Barstool Sports?  Dave Portnoy and his company are deeply rooted in Boston but have obviously exploded to a national sensation.

Rapaport:  Barstool is absolutely amazing.  What they have done is nothing short of remarkable and a I am lucky to be a part of their team.  Dave is an awesome guy and we got to talking.  He offered me an opportunity and I jumped at it.  I cannot wait to see where this company goes.  They are unique.  They push the envelope.  It is incredible what they have done so far.  So much respect.

@BosSportsExtra: OK, so the big news of the week is this event happening at Gillette on Sunday, August 20th with DraftKings.  Tell us all about it.

Rapaport: Yeah, man.  Its gonna be awesome.  I’m teaming up with Gronkowski – who I have never met – Pat McAfee, Matthew Berry, Jim Breuer and we are just gonna have an great day with all the fans.  People will get an up close and personal feel for Gillette Stadium.  We are doing some on the field drills with Gronk and some other players.  Some folks will even get to host there fantasy draft right there.  Its gonna be incredible.  And I really cant wait to meet Gronk.  Tickets are still available.

@BosSportsExtra: You two seem like you might get along?

Rapaport:  I don’t know…but I love what he brings to the game and to the field.  Just seems like the ultimate team player and teammate.  Lot of enthusiasm and love of the game.  I am really pumped up to hang out.

@BosSportsExtra:  You have a new book coming out titled….This Book Has…?

Rapaport: Balls.  This Book Has Balls.  I put a lot sweat into writing this book.  I describe it as a Sh”t Talking Extravaganza”.  Ah, I shouldn’t say that…I’ll call it a “trash talking extravaganza”…keep it PG.  I pretty much cover everything in this thing.  Q & A with Bill Belichick, how Lebron will never be Mike, Tiger Woods needs to get back with the ladies to get his game back, why LT – Lawrence Taylor – is the greatest of all time and my love for Mary Lou Retton.

@BosSportsExtra: You are covering a lot of subjects there?

Rapaport: Yeah, it’s all over the place.  It’s a lot of fun.  You can get it on early release but it drops officially this fall.  October 31.

@BosSportsExtra: And that’s really you on the cover, dunking the ball?

Rapaport: Damn straight.  I threw that sh”t down for the picture.

@BosSportsExtra : OK, you seem like a straight shooter.  I prepared a little game of Speed Round.  Just answer the following 10 questions right off the top of your head.  You up for it?

Rapaport: Let’s do it!

@BosSportsExtra: Here we go…..

1. You had a recurring role on Friends as Phoebe’s boyfriend, what was it like kissing Lisa Kudrow?

Uh, refreshing.  Lot of gum.  Had to keep the breath fresh for those scenes.

2. You were brutally beaten to death by Nicolas Cage in Kiss of Death, on a scale of 1-10, how crazy is he in real life?

I wouldn’t say he is crazy.  He is very existential.  Very committed to his craft.

(@BosSportsExtra: Yeah sure, moving on. Number 3)

3. You had a starring role Massachusetts cult classic, Beautiful Girls, …who is better looking in person? Uma Thurman or Matt Dillon?

That’s a tough question.  Haha.  You know, at that time…Uma was right at her peak.  Her prime.  Absolutely gorgeous.  Matt’s not too bad either though.

4. If you could have the choice, would you be an actor, a rapper, or an NBA player?

NBA player, for sure.

5. In recent days you have shown your contempt for racists; what was it like playing budding Neo-Nazi, Remy, in Higher Learning?

That question keeps coming up in light of this week’s events.  Movie was a long time ago.  I have to say I enjoyed the challenge of the role.  It really was challenge and I liked that.  I thought we made a great movie and I was happy to be a part of it.

6. You worked alongside some Hollywood heavyweights in True Romance including, Dennis Hopper, Gary Oldman, Samuel L Jackson, Brad Pitt…list goes on and on…but in one word describe Christopher Walken?

Professional.  The guy really gets in to his characters.  But besides that, absolutely hilarious.  One of the best senses of humor I have ever been around.  We had so many laughs on that set.  Can’t even begin to tell you what a funny guy he is in person.

7. You played an FBI agent, Don Self, in the Fox Series, Prison Break. Have you ever served a night in prison? 

Oh boy.  Yes and no.  I spent about 12 hours in a jail cell one time.  Not a full night.

@BosSportsExtra: Can I assume no “white bread and olive oil” went down while you were in there?

Oh Jesus, no.

8. You are the Cumberland Farms coffee guy and a NY Knicks fan…Would you rather be caught on camera drinking a Dunkin Donuts coffee or wearing a Larry Bird jersey?

Very good question. But, I would proudly rock a Larry Bird jersey. Guy is one of the all-time greats and I have always appreciated that about him.  Just cause I am a Knicks fan, I can still appreaciate that greatness.  Not to mention I would look way more handsome that he did!

9. OK…gonna push the limit a bit here.  Understanding you are a staunch heterosexual, lets play the game of F, M, K – Brady, Gronkowski, Edelman? GO!

Hahaha.  Alright man. (pause)  I kill Brady.  Sorry, Tom.  Love ya, but.  I think I would “take Gronk for a few laps” and marry Edelman.  But let me say this, I am the husband.  He would be Mr. Julian Rapaport.  He would need to take my name.  Just for the record.

10. Last one, Patriots record on 2017?

14-2.  Don’t you even think I am predicting a 16-0 perfect season.  Ain’t happening.  14-2 and I believe they will return to the Superbowl.

Amen to that prediction, brother.

You can enjoy all of Mr. Rapaport’s musings on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

An Open Letter to a Patriots Legend

Leave a reply

The Perfect Time to Express my Feelings

About a True Patriot

It is hard to believe you are no longer a part of the game. You have given the fans of New England so many memories to cherish. I remember the day you first entered Patriots training camp.  Just amazing to watch.

My initial impression?  No way that someone that enormous could play the game, but boy was I wrong. As a physical specimen, you had it all: size, speed, strength.  But your most admirable quality was an insatiable will to win at all costs.

I followed your career as a Patriot from start to finish. You never left me short of breathless at your performance, tenacity and grit. When you left New England, out of admiration I continued to watch you play any chance I could.

As a lifelong Pat’s fan, I have memories dating back to the Steve Grogan and Mosi Tatupu days right on up to today’s age of Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski. However, as much I’ve enjoyed all of the greats throughout time I always found you, my man, the most exciting to watch.  On top of that, you won and lost with grace. You were a leader. You had an infectious smile, respected by your teammates, coaches and certainly your fans.

New England is a blue-collar place, and your workmanlike job in the trenches did not go unappreciated, especially by this fan.  And though your tenure in Foxborough was somewhat short, you made a gigantic impact on all things Patriots football. How could you not?

Before I get too emotional, let me just say thank you for everything you did for this organization. The Patriots have not and will not be the same without you, Eugene Chung.

God bless and God speed, big fella.

Sincerely,

P.S. Hold up, Wilfork retired?