Large screaming crowds, enthusiastic blow horns and the hum of media helicopters echoed through downtown Tuesday, where 1.5 million Patriots fans celebrated the team’s Super Bowl victory, according to Boston Police estimates.
Beginning at Copley Square, the parade snaked its way down Boylston and Tremont streets and ended at City Hall. Dressed in red, white and blue, Patriots fans arrived as early as 9 a.m. to cheer on their hometown heroes.
“It’s amazing,” said fan Bee Black. “They’ve done it again, and there isn’t anything that is going to stop me from being in the front when Tom Brady goes past.”
Confetti and shredded documents flew out of buildings as players rode Boston Duck Tours’ amphibious vehicles through the city.
Patriots owner Robert Kraft and Super Bowl MVP Tom Brady raised both the 2002 and 2004 Vince Lombardi trophies for the crowd. Players showed their own excitement as they took pictures of fans just as fans were taking pictures of them.
Fans could not hold back their enthusiasm as overpowering cheers and clapping reverberated off buildings.
“It’s so exciting,” said Newton resident Wayne O’Keith. “No one thought they were going to do it. It was a very good defensive effort and they pulled through.”
Students even made time to go down to the parade and celebrate.
“The Pats are just awesome,” said Boston University freshman Thilina Jayasekera. “They started off the year with a majority injured and they still won.”
When the parade reached Government Center and City Hall, players, coaches and city officials spoke to the crowd.
“We’re back,” Brady yelled to the screaming crowd, and Mayor Thomas Menino congratulated the team on its second Super Bowl victory in three years.
Gov. Mitt Romney told the crowd “great owners, great coaches, great athletes and great fans” led to victory.
Romney then called for another Super Bowl victory next year to cement a Patriots dynasty.
Pressed on by cornerback Ty Law, Patriots Head Coach Bill Belichick, Kraft and Brady danced together, sending the crowd into a frenzy. Brady also told the crowd a third victory is in the works.
“There was no way we were coming back here without that Lombardi Trophy,” Brady said. “And it’s back here where it should be – right here with you guys. One was nice, two’s a lot nicer, but I need a third.”
Even as the festivities wound down, the crowd remained to watch the players sway to Queen’s “We Are the Champions.”
“It may not exactly be redemption [for the Red Sox loss], but it makes it more rewarding,” said fan Angela Jones.
But many fans cared only for the Patriots and said they would not trade a Red Sox win for a Super Bowl victory.
“I’d take a Pats win any day over anything else,” said Boston resident Joey Baker. “You can’t take that away, baby. It’s amazing. This second win shows that the Pats rule!”