# Patriots Celebrate 2001 Super Bowl Win > Robert Kraft recalls how his Patriots team's 2001 Super Bowl win underdog victory started a legacy of excellence. - Title: Patriots Celebrate 2001 Super Bowl Win · SI Mexico | Shortify - Summary: Robert Kraft recalls how his Patriots team's 2001 Super Bowl win underdog victory started a legacy of excellence. Robert Kraft reflects on how his Patriots'… - Keywords: patriots, super bowl, robert kraft, tom brady, bill belichick, adam vinatieri, new england, nfl, 2001, super bowl lxi, sports, Celebrate - Source: SI Mexico — https://si.com/mx/americano/patriots-celebraran-como-su-franquicia-convirtio-en-referente-excelencia-2001 - Published: 2026-10-11T15:00:03+00:00 - Read time: 3 min - Topics: patriots, super bowl, robert kraft, tom brady, bill belichick, adam vinatieri, new england, nfl, 2001, super bowl lxi, sports ## 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. ## Key takeaway Robert Kraft reflects on how his Patriots' 2001 Super Bowl win, beating the Rams as underdogs, began a legacy of six Super Bowls and NFL dominance.