In August of 1994 I was six years old. I went to "Triple A" supermarket with my mom and I saw this football above one of the dairy cases. I asked my mom if I could get it and she said that I would have to win it in a contest. So I asked her to fill out the form so I could win the football. I waited weeks and I was pretty disappointed about not being able to get the football. It was an early October night after a half day at school and dinner had just ended. The phone rang and my mom answered it. She talked on the phone for about five minutes. After she hung up, she told me that I had won more than just a football. I had won the whole contest and would be the Patriots ball boy for the next home game. My mom told me the game was on October 17th which was about two weeks away. Two weeks went by very fast and during that time I did a lot of bragging to my friends. My aunts and uncles scrambled to get tickets to the game and most were able to attend. .
It was the night before the game and I went to sleep very early. My dad told me I needed my rest because I had a very big day coming up. I woke up around 7:00 AM the next morning because we had to be at the field by ten o"clock. When we got there, I was met by the PR people who brought me into an office where I received a Patriots game jersey, duffle bag and an official NFL football! After I left the office they bought me down to the field where they had me practice running to the 50 yard line with the football. After I was done practicing, it was about lunchtime. We were taken up to the players" lounge where there was a huge buffet where all the players and their families were eating. I sat at a table with Drew Bledsoe and some of the other players. I"m not sure if they were impressed that I could eat an adult meal at the age of six, but I was very impressed that I got to have lunch with the Patriots!.
It was game time and I was getting nervous.