Victor Thompson from Laconia, N.H., became a figure of local legend several years ago when he made a bold decision: tattooing the New England Patriots logo onto both sides of his bald head just before Super Bowl XLII. Years later, as the Patriots once again geared up for a Super Bowl rematch against the Giants, curiosity arose about Thompson and his now-iconic Bald Head Tattoo. Residing just a short distance away, an attempt was made to reconnect with him, revealing a man whose head art had evolved significantly. Beyond the expanded ink, it was discovered that Thompson was also serving a three-month jail sentence for shoplifting, with a release date looming shortly after Super Bowl XLVI. An interview conducted over the phone unveiled Thompson’s enduring passion for his bald head tattoo, the Patriots, and his unfiltered opinions on figures like Rex Ryan.
During his incarceration, Thompson remained steadfast in his Patriots fandom. Access to television ensured he didn’t miss a single game, including the highly anticipated Super Bowl. Reflecting on the Patriots’ Super Bowl XLII loss against the Giants, Thompson admitted to experiencing “aggravation” and facing “grief” from others. However, he highlighted a positive personal transformation since then, stating, “I don’t drink no more… Now, I’m in a lot better place.” He emphasized the importance of his family, wife, and grandkids as his current anchors.
When questioned about subsequent playoff defeats suffered by the Patriots, Thompson considered them disappointing but channeled more frustration towards the Giants’ pre-game pronouncements. He noted their “guaranteeing this, guaranteeing that,” contrasting it with his own cautious optimism. While refraining from making definitive predictions to avoid “jinxing it,” Thompson confidently asserted that the Patriots wouldn’t concede the Super Bowl easily.
Intricate Patriots logo tattoo on a bald head
Regarding the current Super Bowl run, Thompson acknowledged the season’s challenges, pinpointing the pre-season release of Brandon Meriweather as a potential setback. He expressed hopes for Devin McCourty’s performance and a meaningful contribution from Ochocinco, while ultimately placing his faith in Coach Belichick’s leadership and team management.
Delving into the evolution of his bald head tattoo since 2008, Thompson detailed the additions beyond the initial helmet design. “It’s all shaded in,” he explained, “There’s the Lombardi Trophy on the top of my head, too.” He further revealed the prized signatures of Patriots legends Randy Moss, Wes Welker, and Rob Gronkowski adorning his scalp. Securing Moss and Welker’s signatures at a training camp and Gronkowski’s at a public signing event, Thompson’s ultimate goal remained adding the facemask to his bald head tattoo. He also expressed a poignant desire to have team owner Mr. Kraft sign his head, incorporating the MHK initials in tribute to the late Myra Kraft.
Unwavering in his commitment, Thompson declared, “At any point, did you regret having the tattoo? No. Never. I’m gonna keep adding to it.” He differentiated his motivations from those seeking attention or handouts, emphasizing, “I’m not doing this to get things. I’m doing it for pride and support for my team.” His bald head tattoo stands as a testament to pure, unadulterated fan dedication.
Analyzing the Patriots’ path to victory in the upcoming Super Bowl, Thompson stressed the necessity of a strong defense and Brady’s precision passing. He referenced Brady’s interception against the Ravens as an example of what to avoid. In a somewhat unconventional analysis, he attributed a missed kick in a previous game to “Myra Kraft’s spirit,” revealing his belief in spiritual influences.
When speculating about which current Patriots players might be inclined to get a bald head tattoo, Thompson confidently named Gronkowski and Hernandez, noting Hernandez’s existing tattoos and expressing interest in connecting with him and his tattoo artist to further enhance his own bald head tattoo.
Reacting to the news of a Houston Texans fan prematurely tattooing “Super Bowl XLVI Champions” on his forearm, Thompson deemed it “nuts,” drawing a parallel to Rex Ryan’s boastful predictions. He cautioned against “jinxing it,” advocating for a merit-based approach to success, stating, “You’ll get there if you deserve to be there. We [the Patriots] deserve to be there.”
In a hypothetical scenario, Thompson was presented with an offer of premium Super Bowl tickets in exchange for a Jets tattoo on his chest. Without hesitation, he accepted, envisioning a humorous tattoo depicting Rex Ryan and Mark Sanchez in a compromising position. Finally, Thompson offered a Super Bowl prediction: “34-17, New England.”
Victor Thompson’s bald head tattoo transcends mere body art; it’s a powerful symbol of unwavering fandom, a conversation starter, and a unique piece of personal history etched onto his very being. His story highlights the lengths to which some fans will go to express their devotion, making his bald head tattoo a truly unforgettable image in the landscape of sports enthusiasm.
