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New England Patriots
Established 1959
Play in Gillette Stadium,
Foxborough, Massachusetts, U.S.
New England Patriots helmet
New England Patriots logo
Helmet Logo
League/Conference affiliations

American Football League (1960–69)

  • Eastern Division (1960–69)

National Football League (1970–present)

Current uniform
NFL-AFC-2020 New England Patriots-Jerseys
Team colors Navy Blue, Red, Silver, and White
                   
Mascot Pat Patriot
Personnel
Owner(s): Robert Kraft
Team President Jonathan Kraft
General Manager Bill Belichick (de facto)
Head Coach Bill Belichick
Team history
  • Boston Patriots (1960–70)
  • Bay State Patriots (February 1971- March 1971)
  • New England Patriots (1971–present)
New England Patriots Historical Teams
1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969
1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979
1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989
1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
2020 2021 2022 2023 2024

Team Nicknames Pats

Championships
League Championships (6)

Conference Championships (11)
Division Championships (21)
Home fields

The New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats" by sports writers and fans,[1] are a professional American football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference (AFC) in the National Football League (NFL). The owners changed the name from the original Boston Patriots after relocating the team to Foxborough in 1971, although Foxborough is a suburb of Boston, 22 miles (35 km) away. They are currently the defending American Football Conference Champions, after winning the 2007 AFC Championship Game.

An original member of the American Football League (AFL), the Patriots joined the NFL in the 1970 merger of those leagues. The team advanced to the playoffs four times before appearing in Super Bowl XX in January 1986, losing to the Chicago Bears. The team also appeared in Super Bowl XXXI in January 1997, losing to the Green Bay Packers.

Between 2001 and 2005, the Patriots became the second team in NFL history (after the Dallas Cowboys) to win three Super Bowls in four years (Super Bowl XXXVI, XXXVIII, and XXXIX), and the eighth to win consecutive Super Bowls. The Patriots, however, were defeated by the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLII, after winning the first 18 games of their 2007 season.

Franchise history

  • Main article: History of the New England Patriots
File:New England Patriots logo old.svg.png

"Pat Patriot" logo

On November 16 1959, Boston business executive Billy Sullivan was awarded the eighth and final franchise of the developing American Football League (AFL). The following winter, locals were allowed to submit ideas for the Boston football team's official name. The most popular choice—and the one that Sullivan selected—was "Boston Patriots". Immediately thereafter, Phil Bissell developed the "Pat Patriot" logo.[2]

The Patriots time in the AFL saw them struggle most years as they never had a regular home stadium. Nickerson Field, Harvard Stadium, Fenway Park, and Alumni Stadium all served as home fields during their time in the American Football League. They did play in one AFL championship game, following the 1963 season, losing to the San Diego Chargers 51–10. They would not appear again in an AFL or NFL post-season game for another 13 years.[2]

When the NFL and AFL merged in 1970, the Patriots were placed in the AFC East division, where they still play today. The following year, the Patriots moved to a new stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, which would serve as their home for 30 years. As a result of the move, they would change their name from the Boston Patriots to the New England Patriots. During the 1970s, the Patriots had some success, earning a berth to the playoffs in 1976—as a wild card-berth—and in 1978—as AFC East champions. They would lose both games. In 1985, they returned to the playoffs, and made it all the way to Super Bowl XX, which they lost to the Chicago Bears 46–10. Following their Super Bowl loss, they returned to the playoffs in 1986, but lost in the first round. The team would not make the playoffs again for eight more years. They changed ownership several times, being purchased from the Sullivan family first by Victor Kiam in 1988, who sold the team to James Orthwein in 1992. Orthwein intended to move the team to his native St. Louis, Missouri, but sold the team two years later to current owner Robert Kraft in 1994.[2]

File:New England Patriots logo.svg.png

Current logo, introduced in 1993

Though Orthwein's period as owner was short and controversial, he did oversee major changes to the team. Former New York Giants coach Bill Parcells was hired in 1993, and the drastic changes were made the same year to the Patriots uniforms, changing their primary colors from their traditional red and white to blue and silver, and introducing a new logo.[3] Parcells would bring the Patriots to two playoff appearances, including Super Bowl XXXI, which they lost to the Green Bay Packers by a score of 35–21. Pete Carroll, Parcells's successor, would also take the team to the playoffs twice.[2]

File:Gillette Stadium04.jpg

Super Bowl banners at Gillette Stadium

The Patriots current coach, Bill Belichick, was hired in 2000, and a new home field, Gillette Stadium was opened in 2002. Under Belichick, the team went to three Super Bowls in four years, and finished the 2007 regular season with a perfect 16–0 record, becoming only the fifth team in league history to go undefeated in the regular season, and the only one since the league expanded its regular season schedule to 16 games.[2] After advancing to Super Bowl XLII, the team's fourth Super Bowl in seven years, the Patriots were defeated by the Giants to end their bid at a 19–0 season. With the loss, the Patriots ended the year at 18–1, becoming only one of three teams to go 18–1 along with the 1984 San Francisco 49ers and the 1985 Chicago Bears. Those teams, however, incurred their single loss during the regular season.

Players of note

Current roster

New England Patriots current roster
Quarterbacks

Running backs

Wide receivers

Tight ends

Offensive linemen
  • 60 David Andrews C
  • 77 Trent Brown T
  • 72 Yodny Cajuste T
  • 70 Yasir Durant G
  • 75 Justin Herron T
  • 67 Ted Karras C
  • 69 Shaq Mason G
  • 71 Michael Onwenu G
  • 76 Isaiah Wynn T

Defensive linemen

  • 94 Henry Anderson DE
  • 90 Christian Barmore DT
  • 98 Carl Davis DT
  • 92 Davon Godchaux DT
  • 93 Lawrence Guy DT
  • 51 Ronnie Perkins DE
  • 50 Chase Winovich DE
  • 91 Deatrich Wise Jr. DE
Linebackers

Defensive backs

  • 29 Justin Bethel CB
  • 22 Cody Davis FS
  • 23 Kyle Dugger SS
  • 27 J. C. Jackson CB
  • 31 Jonathan Jones CB
  • 32 Devin McCourty FS
  •  2 Jalen Mills CB
  • 21 Adrian Phillips SS
  • 26 Shaun Wade CB
  • 33 Joejuan Williams CB

Special teams

Reserve lists
  • 34 Joshuah Bledsoe FS (NF-Inj.) Injury icon 2
  • 99 Byron Cowart DT (PUP) Injury icon 2
  • 88 Troy Fumagalli TE (IR) Injury icon 2
  • 24 Stephon Gilmore CB (PUP) Injury icon 2
  • 59 Terez Hall OLB (PUP) Injury icon 2
  •  1 N'Keal Harry WR (IR) Injury icon 2
  • 58 Anfernee Jennings OLB (IR) Injury icon 2
  • 44 Dalton Keene TE (IR) Injury icon 2
  • 45 Cameron McGrone OLB (NF-Inj.) Injury icon 2
  • 46 Raekwon McMillan MLB (IR) Injury icon 2
  •  4 Jarrett Stidham QB (PUP) Injury icon 2

Practice squad

  • 96 Tashawn Bower OLB
  • 41 Myles Bryant S
  • 95 Daniel Ekuale DT
  • 65 James Ferentz C
  •  6 Nick Folk K
  • 14 Garrett Gilbert QB
  •  5 Brian Hoyer QB
  • 83 Matt LaCosse TE
  • 35 Ben Mason FB
  • 97 Bill Murray DT
  • 87 Tre Nixon WR
  • 64 Alex Redmond G
  • 39 D'Angelo Ross CB
  • 68 William Sherman T
  • 48 Jahlani Tavai LB
  • 17 Kristian Wilkerson WR

Unrestricted FAs


Restricted FAs


Exclusive-Rights FAs


Rookies in italics

Roster updated September 6, 2021
Depth chartTransactions
53 active, 11 inactive, 16 practice squad

NFL rosters


Pro Football Hall of Famers

  • 85 Nick Buoniconti, LB, 1962–68, elected 2001
  • 73 John Hannah, G, 1973–85, elected 1991
  • 40 Mike Haynes, CB, 1976–82, elected 1997
  • 56 Andre Tippett, LB, 1982–93, elected 2008

Retired numbers

  • 20 Gino Cappelletti, K/WR, 1960–70
  • 40 Mike Haynes, CB, 1976–82
  • 57 Steve Nelson, LB, 1974–87
  • 73 John Hannah, G, 1973–85
  • 78 Bruce Armstrong, OT, 1987–2000
  • 79 Jim Lee Hunt, DL, 1960–71
  • 89 Bob Dee, DL, 1960–67

Patriots Hall of Fame

The New England Patriots feature 13 former players in their team hall of fame, established in 1991. A committee of media and staff selected 11 players for enshrinement between 1991 and 2001, before a six-year span of no selections. In 2007, in advance of the 2008 opening of the Hall at Patriot Place, the Patriots introduced a new nomination committee to select three candidates, with the winner of an internet fan vote being enshrined in the hall of fame.[4]

New England Patriots HOF Inductees
 

1990s

  • 1991 #73 John Hannah, G, 1973–85
     
  • 1992 #85 Nick Buoniconti, LB, 1962–68
     
  • 1992 #20 Gino Cappelletti, K/WR, 1960-70
     
  • 1993 #89 Bob Dee, DL, 1960–67
     
  • 1993 #79 Jim Lee Hunt, DL, 1960–71
     
  • 1993 #57 Steve Nelson, LB, 1974–87
     
  • 1993 #15 Babe Parilli, QB, 1961-67
     
  • 1994 #40 Mike Haynes, CB, 1976–82
     
  • 1995 #14 Steve Grogan, QB, 1975-90
     
  • 999 #56 Andre Tippett, LB, 1982-93

2000s

  • 2001 #78 Bruce Armstrong, OT, 1987–2000
     
  • 2007 #86 Stanley Morgan, WR, 1977-89
     
  • 2008 #87 Ben Coates, TE, 1991-99
  Other notable alumni
  • Julius Adams DL (1971–87)
  • Sam Adams OG (1972–80)
  • Tom Addison LB (1960–67)
  • Houston Antwine DL (1961–71)
  • Don Blackmon LB (1981–87)
  • Drew Bledsoe QB (1993–2001)
  • Deion Branch WR (2002–05)
  • Pete Brock C (1976–87)
  • Ron Burton RB (1960–65)
  • Keith Byars FB (1996–97)
  • Don Calhoun RB (1975–81)
  • Rich Camarillo P (1981–87)
  • Raymond Clayborn CB (1977–89)
  • Jim Colclough WR (1960–68)
  • Tony Collins RB (1981–87)
  • Sam Cunningham RB (1973–82)
  • Lin Dawson TE (1981–90)
  • Corey Dillon RB (2004–06)
  • Hart Lee Dykes WR (1989–91)
  • Tony Eason QB (1983–89)
  • Larry Eisenhauer DL (1961–69)
  • Irving Fryar WR (1984–92)
  • Tim Fox DB (1976–81)
  • Russ Francis TE (1975–80, 1987–88)
  • Larry Garron RB (1961-67)
  • Terry Glenn WR (1996–2001)
  • Daniel Graham TE (2002-06)
  • Leon Gray OT (1973–78)
  • Ray Hamilton DL (1973–81)
  • Mack Herron RB (1973–75)
  • Brian Holloway OT (1981–86)
  • Craig James RB (1985–89)
  • Roland James DB (1980–90)
  • Andy Johnson RB (1974–81)
  • Ted Johnson LB (1995–2004)
  • Ty Law CB (1995–2004)
  • Bill Lenkaitis C (1971–81)
  • Ronnie Lippett DB (1983–91)
  • Fred Marion DB (1982–91)
  • Curtis Martin RB (1995–97)
  • Willie McGinest LB (1994–2005)
  • Dave Meggett KR (1995–97)
  • Lawyer Milloy SS (1996–2002)
  • Jon Morris OL (1964–73)
  • Guy Morriss C (1984–87)
  • Jim Nance RB (1965–72)
  • Tom Neville OL (1965–77)
  • David Patten WR (2001-04)
  • Jim Plunkett QB (1971–76)
  • Johnny Rembert LB (1983–92)
  • Leonard Russell RB (1991–93)
  • Asante Samuel CB (2003-07)
  • Antowain Smith RB (2001–03)
  • John Smith K (1974–83)
  • John Stephens RB (1988–1992)
  • Darryl Stingley WR (1973–77)
  • Mosi Tatupu RB (1978–90)
  • Randy Vataha WR (1971–76)
  • Garin Veris DE (1985–91)
  • Adam Vinatieri K (1996–2005)

All Time First Round Draft Picks

Coaches of note

Head coaches

  • Main article: List of New England Patriots head coaches
  • Lou Saban (1960–61)
  • Mike Holovak (1961–68)
  • Clive Rush (1969–70)
  • John Mazur (1970–72)
  • Phil Bengtson (interim) (1972)
  • Chuck Fairbanks (1973–78)
  • Ron Erhardt (1979–81)
  • Ron Meyer (1982–84)
  • Raymond Berry (1984–89)
  • Rod Rust (1990)
  • Dick MacPherson (1991–92)
  • Bill Parcells (1993–96)
  • Pete Carroll (1997–99)
  • Bill Belichick (2000–present)

Current staff

Template:New England Patriots staff

Logos and uniforms

Cheerleaders

File:New England Patriots Cheerleaders (USAF).jpg

The Patriots Cheerleaders performing a routine in 2007

The Patriots cheerleading squad are simply known as The Patriots Cheerleaders. In 2005, cheerleader Kristin Gauvin won Miss Massachusetts, in part from her local commitment with the Patriots.

End-zone militia

During each game, about 10 men dressed as minutemen line the back of each end zone. When the Patriots score a touchdown or a field goal, the militia behind the opposite end zone fire a round of blanks from flintlock muskets. After the Extra point attempt, the men fire their guns to Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture. ESPN named this one of the top ten celebrations in the league in 2007.[5]

Radio and television

As of 2016, the Patriots' flagship radio station is WBZ-FM 98.5FM, owned by CBS Radio. The larger radio network is called the "New England Patriots Radio Network", whose 35 affiliate stations span 7 states. Bob Socci and Scott Zolak are the present longtime announcing team; they succeeded Gil Santos and Gino Cappelletti beginning in 2013.

Any preseason games not on national television are shown on ABC affiliate WCVB. .

Patriots radio announcers

Years Flagship station Play-by-Play Color Commentator
1960–64 590 WEEI Bob Gallagher Fred Cusick
1965 590 WEEI Ned Martin Fred Cusick
1966–71 1030 WBZ Bob Starr Gil Santos
1972–77 1030 WBZ Gil Santos Gino Cappelletti
1978–79 1030 WBZ Gil Santos Jon Morris
1980–86 850 WHDH John Carlson Jon Morris
1987 850 WHDH Curt Gowdy Jon Morris
1988–90 590 WEEI Dale Arnold Gino Cappelletti
1991–1995 1030 WBZ Gil Santos Gino Cappelletti
1995-2008 104.1 WBCN Gil Santos Gino Cappelletti

Notes and references

  1. ESPN.com An example of the "Pats" nickname being used within sports reports. Accessed 26 January 2006.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Official New England Patriots History. Patriots.com. New England Patriots. Retrieved on 2008-01-13.
  3. Article by Bill Plaschke on Kevin Loh's design of the new Patriots' logo. LATIMES.COM. Accessed 20 January 2008.
  4. Ben Coates elected to Patriots Hall of Fame. Patriots.com (2008-07-07). Retrieved on 2008-07-08.
  5. ESPN.com It's a Celebration: Best NFL Touchdown Celebrations, Josh Pahigian, 12/3/07

See also

External links

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