In the past few days, the talk of town was Michael Jackson – the King of Pop.
One of the many stories that caught my attention was an article about how Jackson helped start the Patriots’ dynasty.
For those who aren’t familiar with American football, the New England Patriot is a team in the NFL (National Football League) that won three titles from 2001 to 2005. The team introduced us to Tom Brady, the quarterback and Bill Belichick, the coach.
Brady and Belichick are some of the more famous personalities in the NFL. Brady is regarded by some as perhaps one of the best quarterbacks of all time while Belichick won two NFL coach of year title and guided the Pats to a 16-0 record in 2006.
So how did the King of Pop help start a sports dynasty?
An article in Forbes Magazine published in 2005 relates that during Michael Jackson’s victory tour in 1984 he “convinced” Bob Kraft to buy the England Patriots. The transaction also included purchase of Foxboro Stadium, the home of the Pats. If you want to read the original story in Forbes Magazine, here’s the link: (http://www.forbes.com/free_forbes/2005/0919/122_2.html)
Without a stadium, I don’t think the Pats would be able to win those three titles in four years. As we all know, any sports team playing in its homecourt always has the advantage.
Maracana Stadium in Brazil comes to mind. This is the home of the Brazilian soccer team. When they play in this stadium, they never lose because the place is rocking with fans. How could you lose when everyone is rooting for you?
To think that Michael had a hand in the Patriot’s dynasty is something.
On the day Jackson died, we were talking about him at home.
Of course, the Michael Jackson that my children know is the Michael Jackson of the Thriller genre. I was telling them about the Michael Jackson that I know in the Jackson Five genre.
I was telling my kids that the Michael Jackson I love sang such memorable hits such as “Ben,” “I’ll Be There,” and of course my favorite “Give Love on Christmas Day.”
I told them if you don’t know those songs, then probably you’re not a Michael Jackson fan.
Well, we were even talking about the song “Ben.” I asked them, who “Ben” was and some of the answers were monkey, dog, cat.
I told them none of the above and related to them what the song is all about. Michael was 13 when he sang the 1972 hit. The song is theme of the movie of the same title and talks about the friendship between a lonely boy and a rat.
Now the animal group PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) wants the rights to this song to raise awareness about rats and rodents used in laboratory experiments!
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On the day Michael Jackson passed away, our editor Jerry Tundag conveyed his condolences to Raffy Uytiepo during a meeting. Raffy, thinking our good editor was referring to the passing of his sister-in-law last month acknowledged the gesture. Jerry said, “I’m referring to your former son-in-law!” It took a while for Raffy to get it but then Liza Marie was once married to Michael Jackson and Raffy is the Elvis of Cebu.
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