Live updates from Super Bowl LIII week
The teams were busy in the week leading up to the game.
Here’s the latest on the Patriots and the Los Angeles Rams ahead of the Super Bowl:
Saturday, Feb. 2
After finishing a week of work at Georgia Tech, the Patriots did not hold a walkthrough, but came to the site of the game for team photos and a gathering with their guests.
Today’s links:
- The Brady family’s annual Super Bowl photos are back
- Unconventional Preview: Patriots will have enough of a finishing kick to win this one
- When did Tom Brady become synonymous with GOAT? An investigation.
- Robert Kraft danced on stage with Cardi B at a Super Bowl party
- How the Patriots unearth all those hidden gems
For more Patriots-Rams content, check out Boston.com’s Super Bowl page.
The Patriots posted a hype video.
https://twitter.com/Patriots/status/1091856292539453440
They also held a rally for their fans.
https://twitter.com/Patriots/status/1091758138649464832
The Rams did the same, with Snoop Dogg in the house.
#LARams LIVE: Official Super Bowl Fan Rally ft. Snoop Dogg https://t.co/qe7dWyIrle
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) February 2, 2019
Friday, Feb. 1
With the game just two days away, there were no scheduled media availabilities for either team.
Links:
- The 28-3 meme is still refusing to die
- Texas highway sign pokes fun at both Patriots and Rams ahead of Super Bowl
- The Rams aren’t the only NFL team with a ‘get-back’ coach
- Here’s a betting guide for picking the Super Bowl MVP
- California governor confident Massachusetts residents will be ‘crying in their chowder’ after Super Bowl
- Patriots players reflect on their earliest Super Bowl memories
Dont’a Hightower was back at practice Friday.
The linebacker was a full participant after missing Thursday’s walkthrough due to an illness.
“He did everything today,’’ coach Bill Belichick said. “You could hear him talking out there, and that’s usually a good sign with him. He has plenty of energy.’’
Patriots players reflected on their first Super Bowl memory.
https://twitter.com/Patriots/status/1091524606119170048
The Patriots posted a hype video featuring footage from their first Super Bowl win against the Rams and music from Meek Mill.
https://twitter.com/Patriots/status/1091350472068190209
Several Rams and Patriots players apparently don’t know who NHL superstar Connor McDavid is.
Canada’s Prime Minister: Connor McDavid (@cmcdavid97)
That is if you’re asking the @Patriots & @RamsNFL 😂😂#SuperBowl
cc: @EdmontonOilers pic.twitter.com/q70BA1OPrX
— NFL Canada (@NFLCanada) February 1, 2019
More links:
- This matchup has the feel of a previous Patriots Super Bowl win
- Rob Gronkowski brings the party to the Super Bowl once again
- Here’s the Super Bowl Sunday TV schedule on CBS
The New York Times looked into what happens if you accidentally google “Superb Owl” instead of “Super Bowl”.
📍 Google search
l
l
l __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ _
|
Typing “Super Bowl” |
__ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ _
|
|
📍 Typing “Superb Owl” insteadhttps://t.co/zov1XjXWYf— The New York Times (@nytimes) February 1, 2019
Today’s links:
- Kicker Stephen Gostkowski is no stranger to high-pressure situations
- What Los Angeles-based media members are saying about the Patriots
- What national media members are saying and writing about the Patriots
- Joe Thuney’s journey to the NFL proves a prospect’s development path is rarely clear
- Tom Brady and Bill Belichick are vouching for two former Patriots to get into the Hall of Fame
The Patriots re-lived their historic Super Bowl LI comeback against the Atlanta Falcons on Twitter.
https://twitter.com/Patriots/status/1091320763095801856
Tom Brady reminisced about Rob Gronkowski’s NFL Draft-day mosh pit and paid compliments to his star tight end.
Tom Brady’s first impression of @RobGronkowski? 😂 pic.twitter.com/IIJYqDwuOz
— NFL (@NFL) February 1, 2019
Thursday, Jan. 31
Patriots players and coaches spoke to members of the media from 4 p.m. to 5:15 p.m Thursday. Devin and Jason McCourty switched jerseys, Josh McDaniels praised Josh Gordon, and Tom Brady sported a casual look. The Rams talked earlier in the day, from 9:45 a.m. to 11 a.m.
These were the final scheduled media sessions before Sunday’s game.
Michelle (Devin’s wife) and Melissa (Jason’s wife) shared some insight into their journey with the McCourty twins.
“It’s just never a dry day with them, to be honest,” Michelle said.
“We’re so blessed to live the dream with them.”
For Michelle, Melissa and their husbands, the @McCourtyTwins, this past year has simply been special. pic.twitter.com/UuFc5NU744
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) February 1, 2019
Dont’a Hightower didn’t practice, but Malcom Brown did.
Patriots LB Dont’a Hightower did not practice Thursday because of an illness. DT Malcom Brown (calf) participated fully after being limited on Wednesday.
— Nora Princiotti (@NoraPrinciotti) January 31, 2019
Rob Gronkowski brought some enthusiasm.
He strutted to the podium, said hello to his mother, and gave signature answers.
Think this guy is feelin’ good? Gronk bouncing around on his way to the podium @NBCSBoston pic.twitter.com/ggNFvQUIuI
— Tom Giles (@TomGilesNBCS) January 31, 2019
HI MOM 👋
The best of @RobGronkowski‘s Thursday media session. pic.twitter.com/nSREw6j55C
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) February 1, 2019
More links:
- The latest predictions for the 2019 Super Bowl
- Tony Romo ready for his turn on Super Bowl stage
- Julian Edelman got a walking tour of Atlanta from a stranger
- Here’s what ESPN experts believe will happen in the Super Bowl
- Tom Brady and Jared Goff have massive age gap, but same Super Bowl dream
- Tom Brady Sr. on Nickell Robey-Coleman’s comments about his son: ‘Sometimes it’s better to shut your mouth’
https://twitter.com/Patriots/status/1091077507141447680
The McCourty twins switched jerseys today. Devin: “Well, what does it say on the back?” pic.twitter.com/JVySsRfKPB
— Nicole Yang (@nicolecyang) January 31, 2019
Today’s links:
- Read Wednesday’s Super Bowl practice reports for the Patriots and Rams
- 5 super memories of 5 Patriots championships
- Julian Edelman surprised a 7th grader with Super Bowl tickets after learning she was bullied for playing football
- The Patriots are practicing indoors because Bill Belichick is concerned about spies in skyscrapers
- Sports Q: What is the most memorable play in Patriots’ Super Bowl history?
- Rob Gronkowski on whether he’ll retire after 2019 Super Bowl: ‘Yes, no, maybe so’
The Patriots re-lived their Super Bowl XLIX win over the Seahawks on Twitter.
https://twitter.com/Patriots/status/1090944785916006400
Chris Long and Martellus Bennett, members of the Patriots’ Super Bowl LI championship team, reportedly hung out with current Patriots players at the team’s hotel in Atlanta Wednesday night.
Spotted in Patriots hotel lobby – former Patriots SB champs Martellus Bennett and Chris Long hanging with former teammates.
— Yianni Kourakis (@WPBF_Yianni) January 31, 2019
Wednesday, Jan. 30
Both teams addressed the media. Rob Gronkowski didn’t bite on his plans after this year, and Tom Brady fielded questions from a surprising guest.
https://twitter.com/Patriots/status/1090761663643414529
Today’s links:
- ‘It’s good food, and it’s at a fair price’: Here are some of the menu items offered at Super Bowl LIII
- Maroon 5 cancels Super Bowl halftime news conference
- Trump agrees to Super Bowl pregame interview with CBS’s Margaret Brennan
- ‘He’s like how you would imagine Santa Claus’: James Brown gets ready for the Super Bowl spotlight one more time
- Super Bowl to include male cheerleaders for first time
- ‘I’ve come a long way’: Inside Aaron Donald’s rise to NFL stardom
The Patriots posted a throwback video remembering their Super Bowl win over the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl XXXIX.
https://twitter.com/Patriots/status/1090588186395328512
Rams running back CJ Anderson called out those who criticize his weight.
C.J. Anderson has a message for people running their mouths. pic.twitter.com/lPHhrJPknl
— ESPN (@espn) January 30, 2019
Tuesday, Jan. 29
Today’s links:
- Here’s what Sean McVay said about his college battles with Julian Edelman
- Atlanta preps for possible snow, ice ahead of Super Bowl
- What we learned from Super Bowl Opening Night
- Nickell Robey-Coleman assures that he respects ‘sensei of football’ Tom Brady
- Matthew Slater’s Hall of Fame father didn’t want him to play football
- ‘He is part of the team’: Patriots receivers express support for Josh Gordon
- Chad Finn: These are the 10 (or 11) most important players in the Super Bowl
- Brandin Cooks gave the Rams’ custodian a pair of Super Bowl tickets
- Two years later, 28-3 still stings for Falcons
Rob Gronkowski and Todd Gurley faced off in a game before the game.
Gronk and Todd Gurley just faced off in Madden. Gurley won 21-6. 👀 pic.twitter.com/VOz6SmqXvT
— Nicole Yang (@nicolecyang) January 30, 2019
This is Tom Brady’s ninth Super Bowl week, but microphone feedback will make anybody look like a scared rookie.
https://twitter.com/CaseyBake16/status/1090419011601530880
Rams cornerback (and former Patriot) Aqib Talib had some strong words for reporters after he was asked if he thinks Rob Gronkowski has lost a step.
Aqib Talib on whether Gronk has lost a step: ‘All the shots are coming from y’all. They don’t come from the guys watching the tape. If you watch the tape, you’d see. … When was the last time you watched some tape? Do you watch it though? You probably be drunk during the game.’
— Jeremy Bergman (@JABergman) January 29, 2019
Bill Belichick spoke to the Patriots’ team-oriented mentality.
“When you’re with a team, you’re playing for each other, you’re playing for the guy next to you, and he’s playing for you.”
“We’re doing it for each other.”
Bill Belichick’s answer is the definition of team. pic.twitter.com/AKXQkgCb5E
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) January 29, 2019
Tom Brady answered a question from a young fan on how to handle the haters.
Tom Brady shared an adorable moment with a young fan who asked about how to handle haters. pic.twitter.com/1SfzZGQBOs
— ESPN (@espn) January 29, 2019
Monday, Jan. 28
Both teams were available for photo and interview sessions at Super Bowl Opening Night hosted at State Farm Arena.
https://twitter.com/Patriots/status/1090109118239596545
Today’s links:
- Tom Brady puts winning first, but eager to entertain, too
- Playful Rob Gronkowski plays coy on retirement rumors
- Sean McVay says Bill Belichick ‘basically texted me after every one of our games’
- Brandin Cooks responded to Patrick Chung’s trash talk during Patriots’ send-off rally
https://twitter.com/Patriots/status/1090101096733798400
Sunday, Jan. 27
Today’s links:
- Here’s what the Patriots and Rams will be wearing on Opening Night
- Post-injury Tom Brady alone might be the NFL’s best ever
- Tom Brady on Julian Edelman: ‘He’s kind of like a little brother’
- 10 questions with Los Angeles-based NFL writer Ryan Kartje
Tom Brady isn’t going anywhere.
Brady reminded fans everywhere that there’s “zero” chance Super Bowl LIII will be his last game. The 41-year-old quarterback, speaking with ESPN’s Jeff Darlington, reiterated that his goal is to play until age 45.
Read more: Tom Brady says there’s ‘zero’ chance Super Bowl LIII will be his last game
The AirKraft has landed in Atlanta.
A Patriots touchdown at Super Bowl LIII — 4:20 p.m. ET. pic.twitter.com/DjooW0TPrt
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) January 27, 2019
Next stop: Atlanta.
After their rousing rally, the Patriots departed via buses for T.F. Green Airport in Warwick, R.I., where they then boarded a flight to head to Atlanta. The team is scheduled to arrive at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport between 4:25 p.m. and 5:30 p.m, while the Rams are scheduled to arrive between 7:40 p.m.and 8:30 p.m.
The Patriots hosted 35,000 fans for their send-off rally at Gillette Stadium.
Some fans arrived as early as 4 a.m. to celebrate the occasion. Gates opened at 8 a.m., and the festivities officially began at 10. Thousands of other supporters joined those early risers (or non-sleepers) later in the morning, and together they flooded the field to form a sea of red, white, and blue on the field and in the lower bowl. The members of the Blue Man Group were the bluest of all. There was also lots of confetti, and, of course, owner Robert Kraft, coach Bill Belichick, quarterback Tom Brady, and the team’s other five captains made an appearance as well.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BtJTIEvHxup/
Brady started a “We’re still here!”chant, special teams guru Matthew Slater thanked the fans for playing a major role in the team’s identity, and Kraft reminded everyone how far the franchise has come.
Read more: Announced crowd of 35,000 sends off Patriots to Super Bowl LIII
https://twitter.com/KVN_03/status/1089573939486035970
