Road Trip: Indianapolis – Day 1, Post 1What of the Leather man?

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Welcome to the Road Trip: Indianapolis, a creatively-named blog that will detail my five-day, 1300-mile drive from Boston to Super Bowl XLVI.

But before we get started, a quick story:

The Patriots won their first Super Bowl on my 22nd birthday.

The end.

Just kidding. Theres a little more.

At the time, I was a senior in college in upstate New York, with no clue what I was going to do or where I was going to live once real life began in May. But more important than what would happen a few months laterat least for the sake of this storywas a phone call Id received a week before.

It was from my Dad back in Boston, in the moments after the Pats upset the Steelers in the AFC Championship:

Him: Hey, so you see the Super Bowls on your birthday this year?

Me: Yeah! Unbelievable, right?

Him: Yeah, so I was thinking what if we went down to New Orleans?

So, we went down to New Orleans.

We took one of those insane 24-hour charters where the flightPats fans onlyleaves from Boston at 6 a.m. on the morning of the Super Bowl, and flies back three hours after the game. We had no idea what we were in store for. We had no idea how to even prepare.

It was crazy. It was spontaneous.

It was, and is, one of the greatest decisions weve ever made.

As a sports fan, Ive still never felt anything like I did as Vinatieris field goal split the uprights. It was the culmination of every pathetic moment of my lifelong fandom. It validated every ounce of pain, in the most dramatic and fantastic way possible. And as confetti rained down on the Superdome stage, I didnt know what else to do but put my hands on my head and cry.

Everything got the best of me.

My dad was emotional, too.

Listen, he said, as the party played out on the field in front of us. I dont know where youll be living after this year, or how often well even get to see you, so lets make a deal: From here on out, no matter where you are, if the Pats are in the Super Bowl well be there.

We hugged it out and had a deal.

Of course, there were two things he didnt count on.

1. That Id move back to Boston after only one year away, and spend the next nine living within a 20 minute drive of him and my mom.

2. That the little engine that could Patriots team that shocked the world in New Orleans would morph into a modern day dynasty and return to the Big Game in three of the next six seasons.

All things considered, I wouldve understood if he found a way to finagle out of our Superdome pact, but he hasnt. And every year from New Orleans to Houston to Jacksonville to Glendale (with mom!), he and I have been there. For better or worse.

And well be there in Indianapolis.

Hes flying into Indy on Saturday.

Im driving to Indy right now.

As you read this, Im rolling down I-90 towards Buffalo.

Later this afternoon, Ill land in Williamsville, NYthe hometown of Rob Gronkowskiwhere Ill spend a few hours investigating the legend of Gronk, and report back to you in the form of text, photos and video (that will be the case for every stop along the way).

When the days done in Williamsville, Ill head to beautiful Buffalo, and spend the night hanging with a few beautiful Bills fans.

On Tuesday, Ill wake up and drive 230 miles from Buffalo to Canton, OH.

Canton is home to both the Football Hall of Fame and the William McKinley Presidential Library. Ill spend the day at one of these two historic establishments, but dont want to ruin the suspense.

From Canton, Ill drive 64 miles and spend the night in Mansfield, OH.

Theres no fancy reason for Mansfield. (Originally, I had a choice between staying there or staying in Lima, OH. I chose Lima as a tribute to Jose, but then realized Mansfield actually made a lot more sense. Hence, Tuesday night in Mansfield.)

First thing Wednesday, Ill make the 80-mile drive from Mansfield to Ada.

Adas a village (not a town; a village) in Northwest Ohio which is home to less than 6,000 people and the only leather football manufacturing facility in the United States.

The Wilson Football factory in Ada churns out 4,000 balls a day, over 700,000 a year and has made every NFL football since 1955. As soon as I get there, Ill be on a tour.

From Ada, Ill drive 82 miles down to Greenville, OHthe hometown of Matt Lightand spend the rest of Wednesday in and around No. 72s turf.

Greenvilles less than 100 miles from Indianapolis, but its only Wednesday, so with a day to spare Ill bypass Indy for a historic detour. But first, Ill have to drive 150 miles drive to Bloomington, IN.

It will be late by the time I land in Hoosier Town, but thats OK.

Its only a pit stop.

On Thursday, Ill wake up in Bloomington, and drive 59 miles down to a little place called French Lick.

Sure, this is a football trip. But theres far more on the line than football. Its Boston sports history, and within that realm, there are few more historic places than French Lick.

Ill spend Thursday in the land of the Legend, and hopefully make it out in one piece.

On Friday, Ill wake up in French Lick on my 32nd birthday10 years to the day since Vinatieris kick sailed through the uprights and forever changed the face of Boston sports.
From there, Ill make the 108-mile drive to Indianapolis, where two days later, the Pats will try to make it four Super Bowl.

My dad arrives on Saturday, but for now, I can barely see that far ahead.

Thats days and miles away.

In the meantime, I hope youll stick around and follow along for what should be an exciting ride.

Ill check in again before we get to Buffalo.

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