Addazio Camping Out In Pumpkin Patch To See Great Pumpkin, May Miss NC State Game
AddazioHolidays October 18, 2019 The New England Classic
SCHULZ FARMS PUMPKIN PATCH — It was reported early Friday morning that Boston College head football coach Steve Addazio missed five consecutive practices this week, and may miss this Saturday’s matchup against NC State, after dedicating the entirety of his schedule to camping out in a nearby pumpkin patch to “finally see the Great Pumpkin.”
The Great Pumpkin, a fictional pumpkin best known from the Peanuts Halloween television special It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, has served as a Halloween-time staple for millions worldwide since the special’s debut in 1966. While several players and assistant coaches visited the head coach at the pumpkin patch over the course of the week in an attempt to convince him to return to the practice field, Addazio was insistent on staying put, despite the fact it was made abundantly clear the character has been proven to nonexist, both in real life and in the Peanuts special.
“All week, the guys have come by the pumpkin patch and called me crazy. It’s all been ‘Coach, the Great Pumpkin isn’t real,’ or ‘Steve, we really need you on the practice field leading the team today,’ or ‘Mr. Addazio, if you’re going to camp out in this pumpkin patch you need to put your pants back on.’ And I’m tired of it,” Addazio said. “I understand that it’s almost two weeks before Halloween, but the Great Pumpkin could come at any time, and I can’t risk missing him.”
Players, coaches, and fans alike expressed confusion over the situation, although many were not surprised given the head coach’s recent history of making headlines for potentially missing games dozens of times over the past few years.
“Honestly, I’m not surprised, because it seems like it’s something every week or so with this guy, but that certainly doesn’t take away from the absurdity of it,” said Jack Francis (MCAS ’21).
At press time, Addazio was seen expressing hope for his chances of receiving candy while trick-or-treating this Halloween after a disappointing outing last year, in which he only received rocks due to his sloppily-crafted Baldwin the Eagle costume.
