Patriots Daily: Boston Wins Another Championship

The Boston Celtics won the 2024 NBA Championship last night at TD Garden. Among those in attendance were New England Patriots captain Ja’Whaun Bentley and rookie quarterback Drake Maye. The win gives the Celtics 18 NBA Championships, the most of any franchise. It also further spoiled a New England sports fan base who have enjoyed their teams’ success since 2001.

As the 2001 NFL season got underway, the four major Boston sports teams (Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Red Sox) had combined to win zero championships since 1986. The 15-year title drought was the longest for the region since the Boston Patriots began play in 1960, though the football franchise had yet to win their first title. The Boston Bruins had not raised a Stanley Cup since 1972, and no World Series title for the Boston Red Sox since 1918.

Since then the Patriots have won six Super Bowls, the Red Sox won four World Series, the Celtics have won two NBA Championships, and the Bruins raised a Stanley Cup. The. four teams have combined to reach the finals in their respective sports an additional seven times. Twenty championship appearances in 24 years. Not too shabby.

As great as things have been, the 1986-to-2001 championship drought felt like an eternity for those who lived through it. There is never a guarantee when the next championship will arrive. But it was nice for Drake Maye to get a taste of what winning a title would be like last night. He’s the great hope to help bring the New England Patriots a record seventh Super Bowl title. Over the last 24 years winning has been contagious in New England. Patriots fans are hoping their rookie quarterback got infected last night.

Drake Maye has been busy since being selected No. 3 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft. He’s made a positive impression during Patriots football activities, attended Tom Brady’s Patriots Hall of Fame ceremony, and watched the Boston Celtics win an NBA Championship. What’s next? Stay tuned.

Also in today’s Patriots Daily:

Daily Patriots Fun Fact

Only two athletes have played in both the NFL and NBA/NBL. Both are members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame: Otto Graham and Bud Grant.

Post of the Day

A look back at the first meeting between the young stars of the Boston Celtics (Jayson Tatum) and New England Patriots (Drake Maye):

UNC and Duke finding common ground in Boston 🤝@jaytatum0 @DrakeMaye2 pic.twitter.com/HsLD9Gh2CF

— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) May 21, 2024

New England Patriots

Patriots Football Now – Tom Brady won six Super Bowls as the quarterback of the New England Patriots. His career spanned so long that he played against players born in 1954 and 2001. But Brady and Bill Belichick did not bring those Lombardi Trophies to New England without help. PFN picked the All-Patriots Team of the Tom Brady Era in New England.

Patriots Football Now – Jerod Mayo stated that he’s his own man. He hopes to emulate Bill Belichick’s success in New England while doing things his way. He’s already backtracked some comments, attributing them to a “rookie mistake.” There are other comments that Mayo has had to change after the fact. The Patriots want a friendlier environment with the media under their new regime, but Jerod Mayo might be better off saying less.

Boston Bruins

Boston Hockey Now – The Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers play Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final tonight. The Panthers have a chance to win the first title in franchise history. The Boston Bruins 2024 run ended in Round 1 against Florida, so there are no game updates for the local NHL entry. But the Bruins still have a lot happening, with free agency looming and the 2024 NHL Draft on the horizon. Check out BHN for all the latest coverage.

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