Milton Williams sees the New England Patriots in a new light now that he’s a member of the team and headed to Super Bowl LX. In comments to reporters Thursday, Williams said that as a kid he wasn’t a Patriots supporter. He acknowledged, as NBC10’s Nicole Menor reported, that he often tells people—to their surprise—that he never liked the Patriots.
Like many fans, Williams grew tired of watching New England repeatedly win championships during the Bill Belichick–Tom Brady era and wanted to see different teams take the Lombardi Trophy. Asked whether his feelings have changed now that he plays for New England, he smiled and said, “Yeah, for sure,” adding that he now loves being part of the Patriots.
When a local reporter pressed him about whether he disliked Brady personally, Williams replied he didn’t hate Brady; rather, when one team or player always wins, people want someone else to win. But after learning what Brady’s level of consistent effort required, Williams said it’s hard to criticize that kind of sustained excellence.
A native of Crowley, Texas, who played college ball at Louisiana Tech, Williams had little reason to cheer for the Patriots growing up. Drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2021, his first four NFL seasons coincided with New England’s downturn after Brady left for Tampa Bay, so he didn’t spend his early pro years contending with New England as a playoff or Super Bowl rival.
Fan Take: This matters because players’ shifting loyalties highlight how quickly narratives change in the NFL—today’s rival can be tomorrow’s teammate. Williams’ turnabout also underscores the league’s appeal: even critics can come to respect a franchise’s culture when they become part of it, which keeps storylines fresh for fans.
