<P> Unfortunately for the Patriots, they would be caught in the middle of a bizarre Super Bowl week subplot . Prior to the AFC Championship game, Irving Fryar had cut two fingers with a kitchen knife, requiring them to be put in a cast . At first it was dismissed as a freak accident, but after the conference championship, the truth came out: Fryar's wife, Jacqueline, had slashed him in a domestic incident after Fryar had knocked her down . It was a distraction that, many thought, epitomized the history of these Patriots--coming as it did in what was otherwise to that point the franchise's finest hour . </P> <P> In the Super Bowl, though the Bears had not allowed a point in the playoffs, the Patriots took an early 3 - 0 lead after a Walter Payton fumble in the 1st quarter . This resulted a field goal by Tony Franklin . </P> <P> The opening drive would be marked by an injury to Dawson, who would be forced to leave the contest with a broken leg . The Bears would go on to score the next 44 points, including a touchdown by rookie defensive lineman William "The Refrigerator" Perry . The Patriots would add a meaningless touchdown (an 8 - yard touchdown pass to Fryar from Grogan) at the end to make the final score 46--10, the most lopsided defeat in Super Bowl history at the time . </P> <P> John Hannah, generally considered one of the best guards to play pro football, retired after the Patriots' Super Bowl experience . Also, the day after the game, Boston Globe sportswriter Ron Borges wrote a story alleging that six Patriots players, including Fryar, cornerback Raymond Clayborn, safety Roland James, and running back Tony Collins were marijuana users . Furthermore, allegations surfaced that Fryar was involved in gambling of NFL games . </P>

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