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Boos Land Pats' PP&K Winner On Field For Coin Flip

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 16, 2008

Patriots owner Robert Kraft sat behind his wide desk and marveled at how his team's jersey could be the target of so many boos - even when it's worn by a 14-year-old girl.

This wasn't Randy Moss or Rodney Harrison hearing the catcalls. They're used to it.

This was Anna Grant, a high school freshman who won the Punt, Pass & Kick competition in her age group as the team's representative.

When she was introduced along with the other winners before the fourth quarter of San Diego's playoff win last Sunday, she was the only one booed by the crowd in Indianapolis, home of New England's fiercest rival.

"Why should a champion be booed?" Kraft said Tuesday. "She won an intensive competition. She's supposed to be honored."

Kraft, who said he felt badly that Grant had been booed, invited her to be on the field for the coin flip in Sunday's AFC Championship Game.

"What I decided is that we would honor her here before this game," Kraft said. "We will recognize her as the winner on the field. Our fans will know."

HIGH RATINGS: The Giants' 21-17 upset of the Cowboys drew the most viewers for an NFL divisional playoff game in 11 years. The game on Fox was watched by 40.1 million people. It was the largest audience for this round since 42.7 million tuned into the Cowboys-Panthers game Jan. 5, 1997.

The Associated Press

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