The Patriots Practicing in Colorado was the Air Force Academy's Idea
#Patriots Soaking It All In At Air Force Academy, But Focus Remains On Raiders https://t.co/nQAxQ9r71i pic.twitter.com/yYokKVLaNP
— WBZ Boston Sports (@wbzsports) November 15, 2017
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Mike Reiss – The New England Patriots are widely viewed as a forward-thinking organization with a knack for being a step ahead, and it would be easy to put their decision to spend this week at the Air Force Academy as an example of that.
But as it turned out, the opportunity was offered to them, not a result of them seeking it out. …
The special events group at the Air Force Academy had contacted the Patriots after seeing that the team had back-to-back road games in high altitude against the Broncos and Raiders (in Mexico), and inquired if they were interested in using their facilities. It wasn’t until a few weeks later that the Patriots responded and decided to investigate the possibility further. They later committed.
Having the Patriots on campus is considered a coup for the Air Force Academy, as it has already produced notable publicity. The Academy is preparing for a media crush on Wednesday, with at least 40 credentialed reporters on site.
Sunday’s game against the Raiders in Mexico will be played at 7,503 feet above sea level. Air Force Academy is 7,258 above sea level. This past Sunday’s game against the Broncos was played at 5,195 feet above sea level.
I don’t know why, but this story just makes my heart soar. (No pun intended but I won’t disown it, either.) There’s just something about mutual respect required for the patriots of the United State Air Force to reach out to the Patriots of New England offering to help them go win a game on foreign soil that makes me proud to be an American. And a Masshole.
It’s the greatest fighting force in the history of aerial warfare teaming up with the greatest team of the 21st century. The men who defeated Hitler and the men who defeated Roger Goodell. The ones who bombed Hiroshima and Nagasaki to win a war, together with the ones who bombed Seattle and Atlanta to win titles. Pilots who can deliver ordinance anywhere on the globe with pinpoint accuracy, hosting the most precise passing attack in the NFL. Our nation’s nuclear arsenal meets the Gronk Spike. National defense with Matt Patricia’s defense. B52s and TB12. The Falcons and The GOAT. It’s just too perfect on every level.
And while maybe it wasn’t Belichick’s idea, it’s still genius. And works out perfectly for him. Not just because it’s the perfect spot to keep his player acclimatized to the elevation of Mexico City and saves them days of travel time, it’s going to be an unbelievable bonding experience, I promise you.
If I can get serious for a minute, the last time the Pats did one of these extended trips staying on the road, was 2014. They went straight from Green Bay to San Diego. And while they were there, they visited the Naval Medical Center. I was on WEEI at the time and asked Belichick about it on the air. He was expansive and emotional about it, talking in detail about what it meant for the whole organization to meet the wounded warriors, their families and the people who take care of them. As a matter of fact, he thanked me for the question. So there is genuine value for a team that gets to be around the people keeping watch over us all. But as a Masshole, I’m glad those badass cadets at the Academy see it as mutual.