By Rickie Houston
BU News Service
BOSTON – Patriots fans flooded the streets Tuesday as their champions celebrated the 2019 Super Bowl victory aboard Boston’s famous duck boats. The gathering seemed to indicate a pattern, as it succeeded a similar victory parade that took place back in October.
The Sunday victory added to Boston’s recent sports success, as the second win against Los Angeles since the Red Sox’s World Series feat in 2018. In addition, the triumph marked the sixth title the Patriots have won since 2002, all of which Tom Brady contributed to.
While the parade route for both teams differed, a shared pride and excitement for the city of Boston seemed to prevail among each fan.
The Patriots route began at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough. Once the duck boats arrived in Boston, the team rode from Hynes Convention center, then advanced down Boylston and Tremont Street as copious Patriots enthusiasts cheered along every inch of the way.
The parade attracted hundreds of thousands of fans from far and wide. Many fans sported Tom Brady jerseys and “Let Freedom Ring” posters. Some were locals, while others had traveled countless miles to join the celebration.
Damath Detissera, for instance, traveled from Cambridge with his wife, Dilusha, and two children Devin, 4, and Kimaya, 7. In addition to enjoying bringing his children to the parade, Detissera admitted he was surprised at the amount of fans present.
“This is their first Patriots parade, and they want[ed] to see it,” Detissera said. “I’ve seen all the parades.”
As the Patriots gracefully maneuvered through the city, fans, from young to old, moved in unison to ensure they had a view of the 2019 champions.
It became easier to determine when the duck boats were close. When the cheers and screams increased in volume, and the confetti came into view, you could almost assume with confidence that it’d only be a matter of time before you caught a glimpse of the champions.
Detissera additionally admitted amusement at the extensive number of Patriots supporters present.
“I think people were not expecting this,” Detissera said. “It’s a little bit of a surprise factor.”
The parade ended around 2 p.m., but the overall enthusiasm among fans did not. All in attendance, whether in groups of three or more, continued to roar with pride even as they left the city.
Multi-colored red, white and blue confetti could be seen, and celebratory shouts could be heard, as Boston celebrated yet another sports victory.
Dave Sebastian contributed to this article.
