Patriots teach us the power of resolve in historic Super Bowl comeback
The New England Patriots taught us a valuable lesson in Super Bowl LI. Never give up.
Whatever you do, no matter how dire the situation looks, never, ever surrender.
Sure, I know it sounds hokey and cliche. Your little league coach probably preached similar pablum years ago. It’s nothing new. Ancient parables were written centuries about the virtues of resiliency. But it never hurts to be reminded of the power of human resolve.
Patriots rally from 19-point fourth quarter deficit to shock Atlanta, win 5th Super Bowl title
In each of their past two Super Bowls, the Patriots have been 1 yard away from near-certain elimination and each time they held sway.
In Super Bowl XLIX, the Patriots defense had its cleats to the goal line as Seattle faced a second-and-goal from the Patriots’ 1-yard line in the final minute. The situation was dire, but the Seahawks refused to relent. Malcolm Butler intercepted Russell Wilson’s pass in the end zone to preserve a dramatic 28-24 victory.
The Patriots were even more resilient, their situation even more desperate in Super Bowl LI on Sunday night at NRG Stadium.
They trailed the Atlanta Falcons 28-3 midway through the third quarter, 28-9 with 10 minutes left in regulation and by 16 points with 6 minutes left.
And they still won.
“We never felt like we were out of the game,” Patriots wide receiver Danny Amendola said. “We wanted to keep fighting, keep going, keep believing, and that’s what we did.”
One play here or there and the Patriots probably don’t win. The outcome tilts the other way. History is altered.
The examples of the Patriots’ resolve were everywhere Sunday night.
The Patriots don’t win if Brady doesn’t desperately convert passes of 12 and 16 yards on third-and-11 and third-and-10 in the final minutes.
They don’t win if Amendola doesn’t lower his head and…