{"id":33702,"date":"2017-11-16T01:33:29","date_gmt":"2017-11-16T01:33:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/airforcetimes\/uncategorized\/2017\/11\/16\/patriots-acclimating-to-altitude-at-air-force-this-week\/"},"modified":"2026-08-07T21:00:06","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T21:00:06","slug":"patriots-acclimating-to-altitude-at-air-force-this-week","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/airforcetimes\/off-duty\/military-sports\/2017\/11\/16\/patriots-acclimating-to-altitude-at-air-force-this-week\/","title":{"rendered":"Patriots acclimating to altitude at Air Force this week"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. \u2014 The tunnel leading down to the Falcon Stadium football field is dotted with warnings that a \u201clack of acclimation to altitudes above 6,000 feet has proven to cause serious illness.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Just before reaching the field, there\u2019s an overhang with a sign that warns about a \u201clack of oxygen \u201d at 6,621 feet above sea level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meant more for intimidation than information, the signs still serve as a stark reminder of the Rocky Mountain\u2019s lung-piercing thin air. Which is exactly why Bill Belichick decided to keep his team in Colorado after the Patriots (7-2) destroyed the Broncos 41-16 Sunday night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Up next for Tom Brady & Co. is a trip to Mexico City\u2019s Azteca Stadium (elevation 7,200 feet) to face the Oakland Raiders (4-5) on Sunday. So, rather than head home, the Patriots bused an hour south to train at altitude this week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou can feel it for sure,\u201d said tight end Rob Gronkowski, noting his skin was dry. \u201cA lot of people are getting their nose super dry, their mouth super dry. So, I\u2019m just glad to be here to prepare for what Mexico City will be, at the same altitude. So, it\u2019s good training and I\u2019m glad we\u2019re doing it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Belichick also brought his team to the Academy for its attitude.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They heard about survival training from cadets who had to hunt wildlife in the mountains; they listened to Falcons football coach Troy Calhoun talk about molding the next generation of military leaders; and they got to see paratroopers cap off Wednesday\u2019s workout on the Falcons practice fields.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhich was super cool,\u201d Gronkowski said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Belichick was first introduced to military and football formations as a youngster at the Naval Academy, where his father, Steve, had a 33-year run as a football coach and scout for the Midshipmen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI have a lot of respect for all the service academies \u2014 but Navy first,\u201d Belichick said. \u201cBut a lot of respect here. These guys do a great job. … This is a great, great institution. The discipline, the leadership they have here. I hope some of it rubs off on me this week.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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With the surrounding mountains in the background, the New England Patriots take part in drills at NFL football practice, Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2017, on the campus of the Air Force Academy in Air Force Academy, Colo. (David Zalubowski\/AP)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gronkowski said this week has been a training camp-like bonding experience for the Patriots, who have toured some of the sites on the sprawling mountainous installation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s good to have an understanding of where you are and what happens at an institution like the Air Force Academy,\u201d Belichick said. \u201cWe only have one guy that can really relate to that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s long snapper Joe Cardona, who attended the Naval Academy and knows firsthand the rigors of a military institution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This week he\u2019s harkening back to his college days as the Patriots bond with one another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBeing together as a team is great. You\u2019re surrounded by each other and it\u2019s great for building the team, and I can\u2019t think of a better way to do it than at the Air Force Academy,\u201d Cardona said. \u201cWell, maybe at the Naval Academy. But it\u2019s great to be here.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\t