It has been a week since Superbowl LII where the Patriots lost to the Eagles by a final score of 41 – 33. As a die hard Patriots fan, I was definitely sad at the end of the game because it was a close and exciting back and forth game between the two teams. There was no real controversy, no terrible or missed call by the referees and the Eagles were just the better team that made more plays. I think that makes it easier for a fan to deal with the loss because you just have to give the other team credit. The defence was disappointing and definitely needs to be the top priority for the team in the off-season.

I know that sports is not supposed to have such a substantial impact on your life when you are just a fan. After all, it is just a game. But there have been many instances where my friends and family were surprised at how a win or loss by a team I cheer for can affect my emotional state. I have felt joy, elation, happiness, sadness, anger, depression and have even shed tears from watching sports.

As I have gotten older though, I have been able to handle these emotions in a much more controlled manner. I am a very competitive person by nature and used to be a very sore loser. I still have my moments, but for the most part I am much better at dealing with losing. The worst I have ever felt after a loss as a fan was when the Patriots lost to Giants is Superbowl XLII. This was the game with the David Tyree helmet catch that ended the Patriots’ chance at a perfect 19-0 season. I still remember sitting in my friend’s living room and having everyone there celebrate the fact that the Patriots lost. I was the only Patriots fan and everyone else was going for the Giants, even though there were not actual fans, they just did not want the Patriots to win. They were making every joke and insult you can imagine.

I can understand why the Patriots are such a hated team. The “tuck rule”, Spygate, Deflategate, the “Patriot Way” are just a few of the things that irritate people. Then there is just the fact that the Patriots always win. They have sustained a level of winning during the Brady-Kraft-Belichick era that is unprecedented including 15 consecutive 10+ wins seasons, 8 Superbowl appearances and 5 Superbowl victories. Considering this is during a time where the NFL has hard salary-cap and single elimination games in the playoffs, it has been very impressive to witness. As time passes though, most people just get tired of seeing the same thing and they want something new. I know I feel the same way, so I understand why most people I knew and a lot of causal fans were cheering for the Eagles and they got their wish.

As the ball hit the ground after the failed hail mary attempt on the last play of the game, I felt numb for a moment knowing the game was over and the Patriots had lost. This was in stark contrast compared to that Giants loss where I felt so depressed. I just sat there as my friends were all rubbing it in my face and I felt terrible. This lasted for about a week and all I could think about was how tragic it was that the perfect season was ruined. Eventually, I got over it as enough time passed, but I will always think about that missed opportunity.

This time, I again sat in the living of a friends house where everyone else was rooting against the Patriots. They were all celebrating the win and I just felt nothing. As it started to sink in though, I felt sad that they lost, but nothing more. I was a bit shocked at myself because the younger me would have felt like the world was ending. Yet, I felt fine and was even able to laugh off at some of the jokes made by my friends and my expense. Maybe it was because it had been 10 years since that loss to the Giants, but I have definitely grown a lot since then. Naturally, you gain new perspectives as you get older and can better handle your emotions because you know the things that really matter and are important to you in life. I have also learned through different experiences that harbouring all of the negative thoughts and feelings you have when you lose or something does not go your way is just not healthy. Instead, I have learned to let go and move on.

I still wish the Patriots would have won and been able to celebrate a 6th Superbowl win. However, I would genuinely like to congratulate the Eagles and their fans on a great game. It was great to see the joy the entire city of Philadelphia displayed after the game because it was the first Superbowl win in franchise history.

Losing is never easy, especially for me because I hate losing more than I love winning.  But what I can takeaway from this Superbowl loss is that I have learned to become much better at handling losing, more than I had even realized.