Sports fans, who are otherwise logical people, know the terrible truth that athletes and teams, and their fates, especially when they’re winning, exist in a fragile, sensitive equilibrium that can be upset by using new game socks, cleaning one’s equipment, or getting all red lights on the way to the field on game day.

The Patriots were never the same after Tom Brady, a few months ago, spoke highly of Donald Trump and their friendship.

Please, please don’t tell us the political preferences of Brad Marchand, Patrice Bergeron, and Zdeno Chara.

Brian T. Watson

Swampscott