New England Patriots

New England Patriots
Established 1959 Play in Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts, U.S.
Helmet Logo
League/Conference affiliations
American Football League (1960–69) Eastern Division (1960–69) National Football League (1970–present) American Football Conference (1970–present) AFC East (1970–present)
Current uniform
Team colors	Navy Blue, Red, Silver, and White
Mascot	Pat Patriot
Personnel
Owner(s):	Robert Kraft
Team President	Jonathan Kraft
General Manager	Eliot Wolf
Head Coach	Jerod Mayo
Team history
Boston Patriots (1960–70) Bay State Patriots (February 1971- March 1971) New England Patriots (1971–present) Team Nicknames Pats
Championships
League Championships (6) Super Bowl Championships (6) 2001 (XXXVI), 2003 (XXXVIII), 2004 (XXXIX), 2014 (XLIX), 2016 (LI), 2018 (LIII)
Conference Championships (11) AFC: 1985, 1996, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2011, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018
Division Championships (21) AFL East: 1963 AFC East: 1978, 1986, 1996, 1997, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 2019
Home fields
Nickerson Field (1960–62) Fenway Park (1963–68) Alumni Stadium (1969) Harvard Stadium (1970) Foxboro Stadium (1971–2001) a.k.a. Schaefer Stadium (1971–82) a.k.a. Sullivan Stadium (1983–89) Gillette Stadium (2002–present)

The New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats" by sports writers and fans, 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.

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.

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.

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. 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.

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. 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 7 Jacoby Brissett 10 Drake Maye 19 Joe Milton Running backs 4 Antonio Gibson 37 Damien Harris 39 JaMychal Hasty FB 38 Rhamondre Stevenson Wide receivers  6 Javon Baker 84 Kendrick Bourne  9 Kayshon Boutte  3 Demario Douglas  1 Ja'Lynn Polk Tight ends 88 Jaheim Bell 85 Hunter Henry 81 Austin Hooper		Offensive linemen 77 Ben Brown C 61 Lester Cotton RG 75 Demontrey Jacobs LT 59 Vederian Lowe LT 71 Mike Onwenu RT 64 Layden Robinson RG 65 Tyrese Robinson LG 68 Lecitus Smith C 62 Sidy Sow RT 69 Cole Strange LG Defensive linemen 90 Christian Barmore DT 95 Daniel Ekuale DT 92 Davon Godchaux DT 96 Eric Johnson DT 98 Jeremiah Pharms Jr. DT 94 Jaquelin Roy DT 99 Keion White DE 91 Deatrich Wise Jr. DE		Linebackers 53 Christian Elliss MLB 33 Anfernee Jennings OLB 97 Titus Leo OLB 55 Yannick Ngakoue OLB 16 Sione Takitaki MLB 48 Jahlani Tavai MLB Defensive backs 28 Alex Austin CB 29 Isaiah Bolden CB 27 Marcellas Dial CB 23 Kyle Dugger SS  0 Christian Gonzalez CB 21 Jaylinn Hawkins SS 31 Jonathan Jones CB 25 Marcus Jones CB 15 Marte Mapu FS  5 Jabrill Peppers FS 24 Dell Pettus FS 41 Brenden Schooler SS Special teams 17 Bryce Baringer P 49 Joe Cardona LS 13 Joey Slye K				Reserve lists 60 David Andrews C (IR) 67 Jake Andrews IR  8 Ja'Whaun Bentley MLB (IR) 82 JaQuae Jackson WR (IR) 52 Curtis Jacobs MLB (IR) 77 Chukwuma Okorafor LT (Left Squad) 70 Caedan Wallace LT (IR) 93 Oshane Ximines OLB (IR) Practice squad 35 Miles Battle CB 63 Liam Fornadel G 36 Kevin Harris RB 58 Marcus Harris DT 30 D. J. James CB 26 Terrell Jennings RB 83 John Jiles WR 76 Caleb Jones LT 54 Truman Jones DE 47 Andrew Parker Jr. LB 11 John Parker Romo K 34 Mark Perry S 45 Monty Rice OLB 66 Jotham Russell DE 80 Braylon Sanders WR 87 Jack Westover TE 86 Mitchell Wilcox TE Unrestricted FAs Restricted FAs Exclusive-Rights FAs Rookies in italics Roster updated December 10, 2024 Depth chart • Transactions 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.

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

• Main article: List of New England Patriots 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.

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

See also

• Active NFL playoff appearance streaks
• Patriot Place

External links

• New England Patriots article at Wikipedia
• New England Patriots official website
• Sport E-Cyclopedia.org