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Despite cold temperatures and slippery sidewalks, thousands of New England Patriots fans lined the streets Wednesday as parade floats drove through Boston in celebration of the Patriots’ Super Bowl XLIX triumph Sunday night.
Fans adorned with Patriots paraphernalia tossed toy footballs and held signs that said “Job Done, World Champs” and “You Did Your Job.” When the duck boats carrying the team arrived at the intersection of Charles Street and Boylston Street at approximately 11:45 a.m., the cheering commenced and confetti shot from cannons on the trucks that followed. A group of fans known as the End Zone Militia fired muskets as music blared from large, mobile speakers and cheerleaders danced from the back of their own private truck.
“We’re the champions! When you’re from New England you always support your team. I’ve been a fan since I was born,” said Adam Costa , 23, of Allston.
Many of the fans present at the parade said they have been a Patriots fans since long before the team’s most recent win.
Giovanni Scandone , 42, of Somerville, said he has been a fan since 1981. Scandone was popular with the crowd, as he was dressed in a homemade Patriots costume complete with red combat boots, blue thermal underwear, a floor-length cape and a full superhero mask.
“I am the Patriot, the mass defender of the AFC,” he said. “I’ve been waiting seven years to wear this outfit. I put it together seven years ago in hopes that the Patriots would have an undefeated season. They never did, so it’s been in the closet. I came out of the closet today with it on.”
The fans were not the only ones having fun. Wide receiver Julian Edelman jumped on top of a duckboat and tight end Rob Gronkowski signed autographs for those who threw him articles of clothing.
The streets were full of red, white and blue confetti, and people working in the offices above the parade route held up signs and cheered from open windows.
“It’s about as American as you can get, this parade. I’m a painter, and I wanted to do a painting from it,” said Jill Hoy , 60, of Somerville.
Fans young and old joined in the scene. Leo Grastorf , 69, of the South End, said he has been a long-time fan and that especially this year, the Patriots deserved the Super Bowl win.
“It puts the last two [Super Bowls] to rest,” Grastorf said. “No one’s going to talk about them anymore. This is what they’ll talk about.”
Editor-in-Chief. Bostonian by way of Indiana. Excessive Instagrammer. Seltzer addict. Journalism junkie, storytelling fiend.
