91-year-old local Patriots fan shares stories of fandom, looking forward to Super Bowl LX
COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) -- There are plenty of Seahawks' fans in the desert, but finding Patriots' fans is a different story. Unless it's your neighbor, a 91-year-old man from Massachusetts.
"Arthur Fargnoli from New England. I'm a Patriots fan since 1985," said Arthur Fargnoli.
Arthur Fargnoli is from Haverhill, Massachusetts. He's spent his winters here in the Coachella Valley for the last 20 years, and he's been a Patriots season ticket holder for the last 25 years.
Aside from having an awesome first name, the 91-year-old is full of charm, life experience, and stories of Patriots football.
"I remember a time when I [bought] first my tickets in 1985, when I went to the game [laughs], we didn't expect to win. I'm talking about Schaefer Stadium. It was a stadium built with brick that Schaefer Beer gave Sullivan a million dollars to build it. I got to give Sullivan credit for starting the team but that's about all the credit I'll give him. The credit comes with Mr. Kraft. When he took over, it was a different team," said Fargnoli.
Since Robert Kraft bought the Patriots in 1994, New England has played in 11 Super Bowls, winning 6 of them, which is tied with the Steelers for the most all time. This Sunday, the Patriots can make it seven.
"We're not supposed to win this game, but I got a feeling, because of the coaches. I think the only advantage we have is the coaching advantage," said Fargnoli.
Have you ever been to a Super Bowl and seen the Patriots win?
"No. I've been to a Super Bowl when we lost," said Fargnoli.
New England is 3,000 miles away from the desert. The Bay Area is much closer, only 460 miles. So is Art going to the game?
"No. No, it's an expense problem. A room, tickets to the game, food for that day and a half, 28,000 and 28,000. I'll see you later. Give me a break, will you? I can sit home where it's very comfortable," said Fargnoli.
"I want to watch it, don't get me wrong, but being at the game isn't the most important thing to me anymore," said Fargnoli.
So what is the most important thing?
For Art, you can argue it's his three daughters who love football, along with his 3 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.
"It would mean that I would feel good about the people back home," said Fargnoli.
"You know, I've gone through it. How many guys go through 20 years of winning football games on Sunday? We won 6. My time has come and gone, but they got an opportunity now. My kids, my buddies' children, they got a good opportunity to have what we experienced," said Fargnoli.
Stay with KESQ News Channel 3 for continuing coverage of Super Bowl LX.
