Hard to tell it was 80 degrees at the pro-bowl with the cold reception received by the six New England Patriots who played in the all-star game.
Cornerback Asante Samuel, linebacker Mike Vrabel, nose tackle Vince Wilfork, center Dan Koppen, tackle Matt Light, and guard Logan Mankins followed a standard-bearer of the Patriots logo onto the field amid fireworks as the crowd erupted with the only negative greeting it accorded any of the game's participants.
"I don't know what that [booing] was all about" said Wilfork. "Everybody hates you when you're on top. We talked about it and we thought it was kind of funny. But we have haters everywhere we go. Even in Hawaii people hate us."
Light said he was surprised. "I'm not sure this is the kind of place for boos."
The tone was set early in the week at the Pro Bowl, based on comments made by Osi Umenyiora. Many of the players from the other teams represented showed more than just respect for the shocking upset Umenyiora's Giants pulled off against the previously undefeated Patriots. These players felt like they had grabbed a small part of the Lombardi Trophy too. "I get the sense that a lot of them really wanted to see the Patriots lose. For some, it was as if they had won. They were so happy. I don't know what the Patriots did [to deserve that], but I'm just glad we won."
As it turns out, that us-against-the-world mentality that Bill Belichick used to help fuel the Patriots to near-historic proportions also works in reverse. The Patriots have become the Evil Empire (just like the Yankees). Perhaps the other 31 NFL teams, felt like it was them against a dominate Patriots team.
The Patriots are not the darlings of the NFL as they once were in the beginning of the 2000 decade. Spygate, running up scores, an undefeated season, and a major Super Bowl loss...the Patriots are definitely not on the road to becoming America's team. They have become the team you want to see lose. When you are booed at a Pro-Bowl game in Hawaii, you know this to be true!
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