No, not Mardi Gras. Kenmore Square.
After the New England Patriots upset the St. Louis Rams 20-17 to win Super Bowl XXXVI, thousands of wild fans, including Boston University students, gathered along Brookline Avenue and Kenmore Square to celebrate the victory.
By 10:30 p.m., a large crowd had gathered outside Jillian’s pool hall and arcade on Lansdowne Street, rocking cars and shouting chants like “P-A-T-S! Pats, Pats, Pats!,” “PA-TRI-OTS! PA-TRI-OTS!” and occasionally, “YANKEES SUCK! YANKEES SUCK!” Many cars were vandalized before drivers could escape the fan gauntlet.
Soon, though, most celebrants moved to join the throngs at Kenmore Square, which was rendered completely impassable by rioters. Thousands cheered and hassled motorists while drinking and waving American flags.
Hundreds of BU students were among the hordes that swarmed Kenmore Square to take in the revelry.
“In one word, this is awesome,” said Mat Bezerman, a College of Arts and Sciences freshman. “There’s never been anything like this.”
“I got a call from a friend that there was rioting in Kenmore Square, so I wanted to see the action,” said Natalie Patey, a College of General Studies freshman.
Patey said she didn’t feel she was in any danger, though.
“I’m staying away from a lot of the [rioters], so I feel pretty safe,” she said.
Patriots fans showed a surprising amount of patriotism, spontaneously breaking into chants of “USA! USA!” and an off-key version of “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
However, the impulse to riot often overrode nationalism. Newspaper boxes were torn from sidewalks and a crossing sign was ripped from its post and smashed on the ground.
Several fans climbed lampposts, with one man proceeding all the way to the traffic light overhanging the middle of the square. Despite bottles and other objects being thrown at him, he made it down safely and was carried off by the crowd.
Numerous Boston University Police Department and Boston Police Department officers were at Kenmore Square during the rioting but did not often take action. Their presence, however, often convinced people to move to other areas, such as farther down Brookline Avenue.
Brookline Avenue was filled with fans from Kenmore Square to the General Cinemas Fenway Theater, many running up and down the street and waving Patriots hats and flags. At least 20 people climbed on top of a MBTA bus stopped in traffic.
Police eventually made their way down Brookline Avenue and began to disperse the crowds. By 12:45 a.m., many rioters began to leave the area.
BUPD and BPD had no official comment, as all media personnel were helping other officers in the city.
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