On a clear Sunday evening on October 3, 2021, Sonny McLean’s Irish Pub, a Boston-themed bar in Santa Monica, California, was full of people in patriot jerseys and t-shirts for NFL quarterback Tom Brady’s first game as an opponent of his former Team, the New England Patriots.
Tom Brady spent twenty seasons with the New England Patriots, made a total of 16 playoff appearances and won six Super Bowls with the team. He was drafted by the Patriots in the 6th round of the 2001 NFL draft to 199th overall. Brady became a free agent on March 20, 2020 and signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This was Brady’s first meeting against the Patriots.
Javier Pineda, a sophomore at Santa Monica College (SMC) and linebacker on the SMC soccer team, commented on the Patriots vs Buccaneers game: “It was very competitive …[Brady] could have done better and the Patriots did everything they could [could] to keep him from the gate, “said Pineda.
As soon as the opening video pack for Sunday Night Football was played, encouraging Brady’s return to New England and the upcoming Buccaneers game with the Patriots, Sonny McLean cheered loudly.
Most Patriots fans might still stand for Brady, but Santa Monica resident Cal Filson is not one of them. “I’m a die-hard Patriots fan [and] I only booed Tom ten minutes ago, ”Filson said.
Being a Patriots fan runs in Filsons family. “I’m from Massachusetts, my father, my grandfather, it is part of our family. I think the first game I remember was when I was four years old, in the 2001 season, ”said Filson.
Filson found out from Sonny Mclean himself. “I think we did a little research when we moved about eight months ago which bars are Boston bars since we’re from Massachusetts, and that would be a nice place to go,” Filson said.
Another Santa Monica resident Matt Clough found out about Sonny Mclean through word of mouth. “I moved here from Boston about two and a half years ago, I’ve heard from friends that there is a great Boston bar here,” said Clough.
Clough is one of those Patriots fans who still stand for Brady. “I’m a Patriots fan at first, but when we’re not involved I always draw for Tom.” said Clough.
The Patriots and Buccaneers played a very low score game in the rain. Brady played adequately, while rookie quarterback Mac Jones played better than most expected. The game would end up being decided by the result of a New England field goal attempt at the last minute.
As the sun set over Santa Monica, Patriots fans abandoned Sonny Mclean’s after a 56 yard field goal attempt by the Patriots clattered off the goalpost and secured a 19-17 win for Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Sonny Mclean’s Irish Pub is located at 2615 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90403 and is open to guests seven days a week.
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