Until this year, I’ve never lived in a city that has a team playing on Super Bowl Sunday. If you’ve read anything I’ve ever written, you might know that I’m from Cleveland, since I rep that pretty hard.

Of course I’m talking about the New York Giants, led by Tom Coughlin and Eli Manning. If they win, we get a parade in this city, and the prospect of that is pretty cool. But other than their name, they really don’t have any connection to Columbia—especially since they actually play their home games in Jersey. So if you’re planning on watching the game but not the biggest football fan, there really isn’t too much you can hang your hat on with them.

But if you look to the other sideline, there is a pretty strong Columbia connection. Before you even think it, no, it’s not any of the players. It’s New England Patriots owner, Robert Kraft.

If the name sounds familiar to you, it should. Kraft graduated from Columbia College in 1963, having played on the lightweight football team in his time at the University. The man has clearly donated millions of dollars to enhance his alma mater—i.e., the Robert K. Kraft Field at Lawrence A Wien Stadium at Baker Athletics Complex—and that is clearly significant. Rumors have even been floating around that despite attending the game in Indianapolis, he’ll be throwing a big Super Bowl party on campus this Sunday.

But this past season, Kraft undoubtedly went through one of the more trying times of his life after his wife passed away from cancer.

Myra Hiatt Kraft, whose husband constantly refers to her as “my sweetheart,” died July 20, during this past summer’s NFL lockout. Her death brought together players, coaches, and front office types all around the league for her funeral, as she was known to be such a positive person and influence in the Patriots organization.

Did Mrs. Kraft’s passing have an effect on ending the lockout?

Many could argue yes, because her husband was so principally involved in building the bridge between the owners and players and negotiating the 10-year deal that was agreed upon just five days after her death.

Do I really buy into that? Probably not. But I do buy into the fact that her death has been on the minds of the Patriots players and coaches all season long.

You can see that by just taking a look at the uniforms they’ve worn all season. Their “MHK” patch has been featured prominently on the left side of the jersey above the number since the first preseason game, and the logo will be on their jerseys this Sunday as well. In the AFC Championship game, running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis pointed to the logo after scoring a touchdown in a tribute to the late Mrs. Kraft, displaying an emotion that many of the Patriots players probably feel.

I’ve read and heard a whole lot this NFL post-season that the Patriots feel as if they’re on a mission. Of course, the last time they made it to the Super Bowl, the same Giants they’re playing on Sunday thwarted their chance at potentially being considered the best NFL team of all time.

Many commentators have said that Patriots quarterback, Tom Brady, is more driven, focused, and intense than ever before. His shouting match with his offensive coordinator displays this, as well as the fact that he threw for a career high number of yards—including an NFL record 99-yard pass to Wes Welker. Now Brady has a chance to avenge the loss his team suffered in Super Bowl XLII, and many believe he will seize that moment.

So if you’re looking for a reason to tune in on Sunday that’s not exactly football, commercials, or Madonna, tune in for Columbia alum Robert Kraft. One thing I’ve always loved about sports is its ability to take one’s mind off of the gravity of reality in order to uplift your spirits.

Of course, not every game is going to come out the way you want it. But as for Kraft, I’m sure this season has been one hell of a ride.

Myles Simmons is a Columbia College sophomore. He’s sad that after Sunday, there won’t be any more real NFL football until September.