FOXBORO, Mass. — The Patriots seem focused and ready to host yet another AFC Championship Game this weekend at Gillette Stadium. On Wednesday, the team even got a reminder of exactly what they will be playing for on Sunday as the championship trophy was on display inside the stadium.
The Lamar Hunt Trophy, which is awarded to the AFC champion each year, was front and center during media access on Wednesday as Bill Belichick, Tom Brady, Vince Wilfork and Jerod Mayo all answered questions with the coveted silver award sitting on a table just to their left.
None of them made direct reference to the award, but each of them discussed their burning desire to win another AFC crown and move onto a second consecutive Super Bowl.
Belichick was foremost among them, setting the precedent by mentioning his intentions for the week.
“We’re trying to get ready to win the AFC Championship Game,” Belichick said.
New England, of course, is the reigning AFC champions, so the trophy technically still belongs to them for at least a few more days. But the trophy’s very public presence on Wednesday might have only further motivated the Patriots’ players.
Check out Belichick, Brady, Mayo and Wilfork standing alongside the trophy.
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