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But another guy recently quarterbacked a dramatic play that will result in the Pats staying in Foxboro, in a glittering new facility, and you've probably never heard of him. He is former Democratic national chairman Paul Kirk, 61, a plugged-in Boston lawyer and business consultant.

Here's something to think about as you ponder the hopelessly inadequate stadium the team will be vacating. I asked Kirk, a sports enthusiast who once played end for Harvard, if he goes to the Pats' games. "I see them more on TV," he said. In fact, he added sheepishly, "I haven't seen them play at Foxboro, believe it or not. But I will in the new stadium!"

Kirk said of his absence, "I like football, but professional football I watch on television. I go to the Harvard College games. I go to some high shool games from time to time, and it's just, you know, sort of what you get used to doing and, I mean, frankly, I enjoy college sports more than professional sports."