New England Patriots

Thursday, 22 October 2009 - administrator

Franchise History

Boston Patriots
In 1959, Billy Sullivan was awarded the 8th franchise for the AFL and played their first game ever against the Denver Broncos in 1960. Although in 1963, eleven Patriots made it to the AFL All Star the team only made it to the playoffs twice during this era.

1971 – 1984
In 1971, the Patriots moved stadiums from Foxboro to Schaefer Stadium. Even after the move the Patriots continued to have problems. They went through three coaches in the first four seasons. In 1976, the Patriots finished 11-3 under second-years quarterback who stepped in for injured quarterback Plunkett. They played their first playoff game since 1963 against the Oakland Raiders and lost the game after a bad call by referee Ben Dreith minutes before the end of the game. In 1978, the Patriots would rally to finish the season 11-5, however, the Patriots would go to lose in the first round of the play-offs after their coach Chuck Fairbanks announced he would be leaving to team to become head coach at University of Colorado. Although they made it back to the playoffs in 1982, the Dolphins easily defeated them in the first round. The Patriots did not make the playoffs in 1983 and 1984.

Making the Super Bowl (1985)
With a slow start in 1985, the Patriots rallied back late in the season to win six straight games, finishing with a 11-5 record and a wild card playoff spot. In the AFC Championship game against the Dolphins, the Patriots would go to defeat them 31-14 taking them to their first Super Bowl in franchise history. They played the Chicago Bears in Super Bowl XX, but would eventually lose 46-10.

1986 – 1992
The Sullivan was forced the sell the team to Remington Products magnate Victor Kiam in 1988 for $84 million due to poor investments. The Patriots would have a respectable year even though the team was undergoing ownership changes but just missed the playoffs. 1989 wasn’t as good since the Patriots ended up finishing the season 5-11. They improved a little in 1991 finishing 6-10 but followed with a terrible next season with a 2-14 record.

The Super Bowl Again (1993 – 1996)
In 1994, Robert Kraft bought the team for $175 million and since he took control over the team, the Patriots have sold out every home game. As the team improved through the years making it to the playoffs a couple times, their efforts were not wasted making it to the Super Bowl again in 1996 against the Packers but lost 35-21.

1997 – 1999
Pete Carol would be named head coach for the Patriots in 1997 and would take the Patriots to a 10-6 record. They made it to the playoffs but lost in the first round. The next couple years that followed had the same pattern of losing in the first game of the playoffs. By the end of the 1999 season Carol was fired when the team started 6-2 but ended 8-8.

2000 - Present
In 2001, with injured starting quarterback Drew Bledsoe out, the Patriots asked backup quarterback to step and that’s exactly what he did. He would lead the Patriots to their first Super Bowl victory again the St. Louis Rams 20-17 in Super Bowl XXXVI. The Patriots found themselves in the Super Bowl again in 2003 and 2004 where they won the Super Bowl both times. In 2008, with Brady injured, Matt Cassel replaced Brady and would leave them to a record of 11-5, but did not make the finals. Patriots became the first time since 1985 Broncos to finish with a 11-5 record and not make the playoffs.

Randy Moss #81of the New England Patriots participates in a drill against teammate Ray Ventrone #41 during the first day of training camp at Gillette Stadium on July 24, 2008 in Foxboro, Massachusetts.

Stadium

The Patriots played in Foxboro Stadium from 1971 to 2002. Since 2002, the Patriot’s home stadium became Gillette Stadium, a $350 million facility privately financed by Kraft.

Mascots

The Patriots’ mason is Pat Patriot, a revolutionary minuteman wearing a Patriots home jersey. During each game, when the Patriots score a touchdown or field goal, a militia behind the opposite end zone dressed as minutemen fire blanks from flintlock muskets.

Pro Football Hall of Famers

John Hannah (1991)
Nick Buoniconti (1992)
Gino Cappelletti (1992)
Bob Dee (1993)
Jim Lee Hunt (1993)
Babe Parilli (1993)
Mike Haynes (1994)
Steve Grogan (1995)
Andre Tippett (1999)
Bruce Armstrong (2001)
Stanley Morgan (2001)
Ben Coates (2008)
Jim Nance (2009)