BC-FBN-CANEPA-COLUMN:SD — sports (950 words)
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The person who first said everybody loves a winner was full of it to the point of detonation.
Consider the New England Patriots.
For a team named Patriots to be hated so much outside its constituency in this era of true and cockeyed patriotism, when winners are beloved, stalked and paparazzied and losers cast aside, would appear contrary to our modern jingoistic beliefs.
It probably stems from the NFL team’s uncommon success, and Bill Belichick being one of the more unlikeable — naturally or deliberately — coaches since Pheidippides’ mentor told him: “Go the extra mile, Pheid, you’ll be fine.