For the first time in more than a year, there was a true tailgate at Gillette Stadium as fans were welcomed back for the Patriots' season opener.
"This is what we’ve been waiting for,” Pat Johnson said.
“It’s really exciting to be back in Gillette Stadium and back to normal and can't wait to root the team on and really happy about it," fan Brian Kelley said ahead of Sunday's game.
The tailgating started early Sunday in Foxboro, Massachusetts. The parking lots were packed and there was a plethora of food, from jerk chicken to shrimp, and of course, hot dogs and wings.