Journal photo / Bob Breidenbach
At practice today in Foxboro, the New England Patriots linebacking crew donned matching knit hats with the label "Bruschi Bros." From left, Tedy Bruschi, Mike Vrabel and Larry Izzo stretch during warmup. They may need those hats this weekend, as a blast of cold air heads into the region before the AFC Championship game Sunday against San Diego.
With the high temperature in Foxboro Sunday forecast to reach just 22 degrees before dropping to 7 degrees Sunday night, the 70,000 fans at Gillette Stadium will face dangerously cold conditions during the game, which starts at 3 p.m.
Journal political columnist M. Charles Bakst, a season ticket holder, has been working on his strategy for beating the cold all week. And, unlike tight-lipped Patriots coach Bill Belichick, Bakst is willing to share his game plan.
Well, I’ve been there before, and so has my heavy moth-eaten blanket, purchased years ago at an Army-Navy store. In fact, I’m thinking of some day donating it to the new Patriots hall of fame/museum that is taking shape at Gillette Stadium. I used this blanket at the final game in the old stadium — you know, the legendary Snow Bowl playoff.
So, the blanket is definitely coming with me. Speaking of coming, or going, I see that the MBTA train to the stadium will leave Providence at 1:10 p.m., which means there won’t be a lot of time to kill before settling into my Section 238 (no alcohol) seat before game time, which, given the temperature forecast (a high of 22 degrees dropping to 7 Sunday night), is probably a lucky break, no?
Now, for my ensemble:
-- A pair of thin socks, plus toe warmers or foot warmers or both – this will be, as the coaches say, a gametime decision - and heavy socks and whatever shoes best accommodate same.
-- Long underwear, heavy 100 percent wool slacks, and, on the outside, a pair of nylon rain pants. (I’m also considering putting some pajama bottoms or sweat pants in there somewhere.)
-- The top to the long underwear, a T-shirt, a collared shirt, then a regular sweatshirt and/or windbreaker pullover, then a heavy hooded sweatshirt and zip up windbreaker, then a hooded winter parka.
-- Mittens and hand warmers, probably two pairs.
-- A knit hat, a scarf, and a face mask. (Yes, I said a face mask, with a Patriots logo. It’s the kind of thing you’d use if you were robbing a milk store. No, you’ve probably never seen me in it. For one thing, I don’t rob milk stores. I wear it only at Pats games and then only when the weather is brutal.)
-- Several snacks including All-Bran oatmeal raisin bar and Fiber One oats and peanut butter bar. Definitely intend to get a hot chocolate – probably two – at the concession stands. Maybe also chicken breast sandwich, turkey leg, or chicken/rice/beans/salsa burrito (light on the cheese and hold the sour cream.) If Patriots are winning, may celebrate and splurge on a kosher hot dog. Come to think of it, if they’re losing, I’ll be so distraught I may have to get one to ease my pain. Frankly, any time is a good time for a kosher hot dog, and, on a health kick, I’ve been depriving myself for too long.
You may be thinking, “Good luck to you, fella. You go right ahead and go to Foxboro and freeze. I’ll watch on TV.’’
And you may be smart. What can I say? I do this because it’s what I do, it’s who I am, and I love it.
-- M. Charles Bakst, Journal political columnist and diehard Pats fan
Journal file photo
