Robert Kraft's 2002 journey

Robert Kraft had many things on his mind when he drove from his home in Brookline, Massachusetts to Foxborough on January 19, 2002.

9/11 impact

The 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon had 'conmocionado' Kraft, as he put it, along with many Americans.

New stadium uncertainty

The new stadium, built on the parking lot of the Patriots' old home, had more suites than the previous one and included club seats, something the old venue lacked.

Snowy optimism

While driving southeast, Kraft smiled as snow began to accumulate and felt his Patriots, underdogs by three points against the Raiders, gaining advantage.

Kraft's 2001 reflection

Kraft said, 'That made me happy because I knew it was something unrelated to the Raiders'.

“Y eso me hizo feliz porque sabía que era algo ajeno a los Raiders”

25th anniversary celebration

The Patriots will celebrate the 25th anniversary of their 2001 Super Bowl win, which came after beating the Raiders, Steelers, and Rams.

Super Bowl legacy

Since that decisive night in Foxborough, the Patriots have won six Super Bowls, played in ten, and claimed the AFC East title 17 times.

Stadium transformation

The Gillette Stadium was completed months after the old stadium and became the center of Patriot Place, a community of shops, restaurants, and entertainment spaces.

Forbes valuation

In 2001, Forbes valued the Patriots as the ninth most valuable NFL team at $524 million; now they are valued at $10,600 million.

Kraft's confidence

Kraft said, 'That snowy game opened the door and this team really laid the foundation for everything that followed'.

“Simplemente creo que aquel partido bajo la nieve abrió la puerta”

Kraft's early investment

Kraft bought the parking lots and stadium in the 1980s, then acquired the team in 1994 for $172 million, a record price for a sports franchise at the time.

State government deal

Kraft called Massachusetts Governor Bill Weld to secure a stadium in Boston, but the deal didn't happen, so he considered moving to Connecticut before building his own stadium.

Bill Belichick hiring

Kraft hired Bill Belichick, whose reputation had been damaged after a turbulent first season as head coach in Cleveland, and selected Tom Brady with the 199th pick in the 2000 draft.

Draft decision

Dick Rehbein, the quarterbacks coach, insisted on selecting Brady, even though he died a month before the 2001 season started.

Brady's injury

Brady suffered a serious injury in Pittsburgh, which led to Drew Bledsoe stepping in and having a strong performance.

Super Bowl victory

The Patriots beat the Rams 14-3 in the Super Bowl after intercepting a pass and a fumble, securing their first Super Bowl title.

Post-game bathroom scene

After the Super Bowl, Kraft and his son Jonathan met in the men's bathroom to plan what to say if they won, listening to U2's music.

All Patriots motto

Kraft and his son adopted the phrase 'We are all Patriots' to symbolize unity after 9/11.

Legacy of excellence

The Patriots' 2001 win started a legacy of six Super Bowls, NFL dominance, and a team that became the standard for excellence.