The New England Patriots are one of the most respected and successful franchises in the National Football League, but that hasn’t always been the case. As a founding member of the rival American Football League, the Patriots were unsuccessful during their first two decades in professional football. The team played its first eleven seasons as the Boston Patriots before changing it to its current name in 1971. The Patriots have had a number of excellent players throughout their existence, including Julius Adams, Drew Bledsoe, Deion Branch, Troy Brown , Raymond Clayborn. , Sam Cunningham, Tony Eason, Irving Fryar, Russ Francis, Andy Johnson, Ted Johnson, Ty Law, Ronnie Lippett, Fred Marion, Curtis Martin, Willie McGinest, Johnny Rembert, Jim Plunkett, Mosi Tatupu, Tom Brady, Randy Moss, Richard Seymour and Tedy Bruschi. Here’s a look at five things you probably don’t know about the New England Patriots.
1. In the Patriots’ first twelve seasons in professional football, they had five different home stadiums: Nickerson Field (1960-62), Fenway Park (1963-68), Alumni Stadium (1969), Harvard Stadium (1970) and Foxboro Stadium (from 1971 to 2001).
2. The 2007 New England Patriots are the only team to go 18-1 over an entire season (regular season and playoffs) and not win the Super Bowl. The other two 18-1 Super Bowl winning teams were the 1984 San Francisco 49ers and the 1985 Chicago Bears.
3. Offensive lineman John Hannah was the first New England Patriots player to be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
4. Super Bowl and league MVP Tom Brady was drafted 199th overall by the New England Patriots in the 2000 NFL Draft. Six quarterbacks were taken ahead of him that year, they were Chad Pennington, Giovanni Carmazzi, Chris Redman, Tee Martin, Marc Bulger and Spergon Wynn.
5. New England Patriots linebacker Andre Tippett posted the highest two-season quarterback sack total in the mid-1980s when he racked up 35 sacks in the 1984 and 1985 NFL seasons combined.
The New England Patriots have accomplished some incredible things, mostly since the year 2000. However, the team has a fascinating history that stretches back to the rocky early years when they struggled to secure stability in their roster, front office, and stadium. local through to the more successful years the franchise would later enjoy. The Patriots have endeared themselves to their home fans and have gained a sizable following and number of fans from various places across the United States. The NFL is a better league because of teams like the New England Patriots.
