That Dammed ‘Patriot Way’
‘The Patriot Way’ doesn’t actually exist.
Well, it exists now because it’s been coined by NFL films & talking heads across the country, but it doesn’t exist any different than anywhere else in the NFL for winning organizations.
Sure, they have set standards for how to do things but so does any winning organization. The term ‘The Patriot Way’ is used because the New England Patriots have dominated the AFC behind the genius of a vastly experienced head coach, great staff hires, and a Hall-of-Fame QB who somehow has only had one major injury in almost twenty years of playing one of the most violent professional team sports in the world. This mythical ‘Patriot Way’ is nothing more than the organization racking up almost two decades of winning seasons and five championships under Brady & Belichick…and somewhere back there, Gronk will be remembered in the Patriot lore. Well after Brady & Belichick, but definitely still remembered.
Make no mistake, if he wasn’t a HOF talent, Gronk would’ve been out the door years ago…or been forced to change his offseason ways. But that’s on any successful team in the league. Your leash is longer if you’re an outstanding benefit to the team.
