Mainers warmed by Patriots’ win at frigid Foxboro NEWS’ Downs enjoys playoff game

In the days leading up to the New England Patriots home playoff game Saturday night, the biggest thing on everyone’s mind seemed to be the weather.

But according to one lucky Mainer among the 68,436 fans braving the chilling temperatures, the foul weather certainly didn’t dampen any spirits.

“I don’t think anyone sat down the whole time,” said Chris Downs, 43, of Bangor. “I don’t know if they were really into the game or just looking for an excuse to stay warm.”

Downs, who works in the computer services department at the NEWS, traveled to Foxboro, Mass., with a group of five others, one a season-ticket holder. Downs had never attended a game before, but said he wasn’t about to pass on an invitation, no matter what Mother Nature had in store.

“I took just about everything I owned,” Downs said. “I had on long johns, lined pants, giant wool socks. I think I had three shirts on, a big jacket, two hats, thick boots, the works.”

Downs’ seat was in section 216, row 11, near the south end zone. Like many others around him, Downs wore layers, kept his hands and ears covered and tried not to think about the temperature. Everyone else was in the same boat as he, after all.

“There wasn’t any snow to throw this time, but it was great. We had a wicked good time,” Downs said. “I had never been to a game before and I was surprised at how well we could see and hear everything that was happening on the field.”

The first 10,000 fans arriving at Gillette Stadium received free hand warmers. Downs was not among that fortunate group, but he said his party brought their own anyway. Stadium officials had also warned patrons of drinking caffeinated or alcoholic beverages and offered free decaf coffee, but Downs said the gesture, while nice, fell short.

“It didn’t matter if you had anything to drink, because it froze before you got a chance to enjoy it,” he said.

Instead, Downs chose to enjoy his refreshments prior to the game in a tailgating area a mile from the stadium. He was joined by a group of about 25 fans, all crowding to huddle next to space heaters inside a pair of tents.

“We parked down at this warehouse and there was a TV where we could watch the earlier game, and eat while we waited,” Downs said. “With all the traffic after the game, we just stayed at the warehouse and tailgated some more.”

New England won, 17-14, thanks to a late field goal from sure-footed kicker Adam Vinatieri and earned the right to host the AFC Championship game next weekend against the Colts. Fans may have been a little more put off by the cold if their team had lost, but Downs said there was no shortage of emotion when the final seconds ticked off.

“The place went crazy,” Downs said. “My friend [the season-ticket holder] has already made arrangements to get his tickets for next weekend.”

Fans looking ahead to that game will find the weather isn’t likely to improve, but Downs said he would return in a heartbeat if given the opportunity.