A Blue Hen playbook

The New England Patriots, headed into their first postseason game this Sunday, are enjoying a banner year. Analysts point to young star power, an elite offense and inspired coaching - but that's only part of the story. Behind this record-breaking campaign is another, unsung force: Blue Hen magic.

If this sounds like sacrilege coming from a school deep in Eagles country, put down your pitchforks (foam fingers?) and consider this: Several University of Delaware alumni work for the Patriots, and their Blue Hen values align seamlessly with the organization's culture.

"There's a lot of overlap between the institutions," said Sarah Jackson, a 2020 graduate who parlayed an undergraduate job with UD Football into an operations career with the Patriots. She assists with travel logistics, game-day workflows - even troubleshooting broken air conditioning systems on the team bus. "Both are places where high standards really matter."

On the surface, the Georgian brick pathways of UD may seem far removed from the beer-stained risers of Gillette Stadium. But each place represents pride. Community. A shared connection to something larger than oneself.

Below is a closer look at some of the Blue Hen alumni working quietly behind the scenes - each one a key piece in the Patriots' winning playbook.