Today in Patriots History
Rex Burkhead and more July 2 stuff
Happy 31st birthday to Rex Burkhead
Born July 2, 1990 in Plano, Texas
Patriot RB, 2017- ; uniform #34
Signed as an unrestricted free agent on March 14, 2017
After four seasons in Cincinnati, the 5-10, 210 lb back from Nebraska signed a one year deal with the Pats in 2017 that included a $1.1 million signing bonus, worth a total of $3.15 million. In a week ten 2017 game Burkhead became the first NFL player in forty years to block a punt and also catch a touchdown pass in the same game. The following year Burkhead spent two full months on injured reserve due to a neck injury, but rebounded to play in 23 games over the last two seasons. Rex has appeared in 41 regular season games over four seasons in New England, with 1,882 yards from scrimmage and 17 touchdowns during that time. In the 2018-19 playoffs Burkhead scored three touchdowns, with 45 receiving yards and 96 yards rushing.
In the AFCCG at Kansas City Rex Burkhead scored the go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter, then followed that up with the game-winning touchdown in overtime.
Happy 60th birthday to Ben Thomas
Born July 2, 1961 in Ashburn, Georgia
Patriot DE, 1985-1986; uniform #99
Pats 2nd round (56th overall) selection of the 1985 draft, from Auburn
On the last day of April in 1985,
the Patriots traded their first (16th overall) and third round (75th) picks to San Francisco for the 49ers first (28th), second (56th) and third round (84th) picks. Thomas was chosen with that extra 2nd round pick; with the later first the Pats took Trevor Matich (who had a lengthy NFL career - as a long snapper) and Audrey McMillan (who never played a down for New England - but did go on to become an All Pro corner for Minnesota). The Niners? They used that first round draft pick on some guy named Jerry Rice....
Ben Thomas lasted less than one and a half seasons in New England, appearing in 19 games with one start and one sack. From '85 to '91 he played in 54 NFL games, and was a starter only in Atlanta during the 1989 season. Thomas went back to his alma mater in 1997 and worked as the Director of Athletic Events from 2005-08; since then he has been Auburn's Director of Player Development.
Happy 39th birthday to Kelvin Kight
Born July 2, 1982 in Atlanta
Patriot WR, 2006; uniform #19
Signed as a free agent on July 31, 2006
Kelvin Kight had 76 receptions for 1,102 yards and four touchdowns in his junior and senior seasons at Florida, during the first two years that Ron Zook took over from Steve Spurrier for the Gators. Kight was not drafted and bounced between the Rams, Packers, Jaguars and Vikings from 2004-06, appearing in only one NFL game during that time. The Patriots signed him at the start of training camp in 2006, and he spent most of that season on the practice squad.
On December 9 Kight was promoted to the active roster after LB/ST ace Don Davis went on injured reserve, and OL Gene Mruczkowski was released. Kight was used on special teams for four games, though he did also have one nine-yard reception and an eight-yard run; he also appeared in the first two playoff games of that season for the Pats. Kight was re-signed the following April, but was released during cuts at the end of the 2007 training camp, ending his NFL career.
The New England Patriots signed cornerback Antwain Spann and wide receiver Kelvin Kight from their practice squad today. Terms of the agreements were not disclosed.
www.patriots.com
Happy 40th birthday to Santonio Thomas
Born July 2, 1981 in South Bay, Florida
Patriot DT, 2005-2007; uniform #92
Signed as an undrafted rookie free agent on April 30, 2005, from Miami
Santonio Thomas spent most of his time with the Pats on the practice squad. He was promoted to the 53-man roster for both of the playoff games following the 2005 season, but was a healthy scratch in those two games. Thomas was on the roster for seven games in the first half of 2007, appearing in four games and inactive in three others before returning to the practice squad. Cleveland signed Thomas in September of 2008, and he appeared in 11 games for the Browns.
Sept 16, 2007 in Foxborough: Santonio Thomas wraps up Charger RB LaDainian Tomlinson; Patriots defeat San Diego 38-14 in week two.
Happy 34th birthday to Clay Harbor
Born July 2, 1987 in Dwight, Illinois
Patriot TE, 2016; uniform #81
Signed as an unrestricted free agent on April 4, 2016
The Pats signed the veteran free agent in March of 2016, after six seasons with Philadelphia and Jacksonville. In a bit of a surprise Clayton Lee Harbor was the fourth tight end on the roster to open up the season, along with Rob Gronkowski, Martellus Bennett and A.J. Derby, beating out Bear Pascoe, Steven Scheu and rookie draft pick Bryce Williams at that position.
In week one Clay was on the field for 22 offensive snaps and 17 special team snaps, but those numbers rapidly dwindled over the next two games. The 6-3, 250-pounder was released on October 3rd and replaced on the tight end depth chart by Greg Scruggs.
New England Patriots tight end Clay Harbor describes the intense competition at his position this summer.
blog.masslive.com
The Patriots finally decided to trim down their tight ends, informing veteran Clay Harbor he will be released on Monday, according to a source.
www.espn.com
The New England Patriots announced that they have released TE Clay Harbor.
www.patriots.com
Harbor spent 2016 with Detroit, and finished his NFL career on injured reserve for the entire 2017 season with the New Orleans Saints. His final stat line with the Patriots reads three games played, no receptions, 25 offensive snaps and 39 special team snaps. In 2018 he was a contestant on the television show
The Bachelorette; he had to leave the show early though, due to a wrist injury that required surgery - that ironically occurred while playing football with other contestants. Clay Harbor appeared in 98 NFL games over seven seasons, with 114 receptions and eight touchdowns.
July 2, 1975:
The Patriots acquire
Bob Howard from San Diego in exchange for a 1976 fifth round draft pick. The cornerback was a second round draft pick in 1967 from San Diego State and had played in 102 of a possible 112 games for the Chargers from 1967 to 1974. Howard took over as the starting left corner in '75, with John Sanders moving from CB to free safety. Bob was a three year starter in New England, missing just one game while picking off ten passes. Over 13 NFL seasons Bob Howard played in 169 games with 147 starts, registering 37 interceptions and ten fumble recoveries.
The San Diego Chargers wore light blue uniforms trimmed in gold and had lightning bolts on their helmets in 1968 when they played the Los Angeles Rams in an August preseason game. John Hadl was zin…
www.pasadenastarnews.com
July 2, 1973:
New England signs
Brian Dowling to a contract. BD had been an 11th round draft pick in 1969 by Minnesota, with the Vikings trying him at quarterback, wide receiver and running back in training camp before releasing him. He played for the Bridgeport Jets of the Atlantic Coast Football League in 1969 at QB and WR while teaching math at Cheshire Academy and serving as an assistant coach at Yale. Dowling was on the Pats taxi squad in 1970-71, then got some playing time in '72 as a backup to Jim Plunkett and holder on kicks.
Bridgeport (CT) Jets vs. New York Crusaders October 26, 1973 Kennedy Stadium Atlantic Coast Football League Programs This colorful game program from the final season of the Atlantic Coast Football League (1962-1971, 1973) really represents the end of an era. The ACFL was the last of the...
funwhileitlasted.net
The Pats also re-signed
Reggie Rucker, who started at wide receiver for the team from 1972-74. The former BU Terrier had 126 receptions for 1,884 yards and ten touchdowns in his 43 games with the Patriots.
Former Cleveland Browns wide receiver Reggie Rucker and his wife filed for bankruptcy, claiming they owe hundreds of thousands to the IRS, creditors and the attorney who represented him when he was prosecuted for embezzling from his anti-violence nonprofits.
www.cleveland.com
Other pro football players born July 2 with New England area connections:
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Gary 'Killer' Kowalski, 61 (7/2/60); grew up in Clinton CT and played TE at Boston College. Drafted by the Rams in '83, he was an OL with the Chargers through '88.
The Killer doesn't get the urge as often these days. The hunger pangs just aren't there.
www.latimes.com
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Larry Green (1895-1960); born in Rockland and grew up in Haverhill; he was an end and guard for the 1920 Canton Bulldogs and 1921 Hammond Pros.
Georgetown Football History Project
www.hoyafootball.com
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Nick Hennessey, 35 (7/2/86); born in Salem; went to Danvers High School and Andover Academy. Was an OT for the 2009 Buffalo Bills and was then in the CFL for three years; now an offensive line coach at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
Nick Hennessey is in his second season as the Mocs’ offensive line coach. A former FCS All-American and NFL offensive lineman, Hennessey guided Cole Strange to
gomocs.com
And from the wayback machine:
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Frank Muehlheuser (1926-2006); FB/LB for the 1948 Boston Yanks.
Frank P. Muehlheuser Jr. - 79, of the Pittstown Section of Alexandria Twp., NJ died Saturday, April 22nd at home. He is survived by his loving Wife of 57 years, Audrey (nee McCormack), his beloved Daughters; Paula Stead & Krista Shooltz, his devoted Sons; Frank III, Kurt and Erik...
martinfh.com
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Bill Chipley (1920-2002); E/DB for the Boston Yanks, and later head coach at Washington & Lee.
Standing shoulder to shoulder with the undefeated football teams of the nation—Michigan State, Alabama, Texas, Mississippi, Colorado and Ohio State—is
www.si.com
Some other notable pro football players born on this date:
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Carlos Rogers, 40 (7/2/81); CB from 2005-14 with Washington, SF and Oakland.
Former 49ers cornerback Carlos Rogers will be making the short move across the bay to Oakland after signing a one-year deal with the Raiders on Monday.
www.cbssports.com
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Hassan Jones, 57 (7/2/64); Viking WR had 3,824 receiving yards and 24 TD.
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Hassan Jones, a former Clearwater High and Florida State standout, was arrested Wednesday at Tampa International Airport while carrying a weapon inside a...
www.tampabay.com
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Mark Clayton, 39 (7/2/82); Ravens' WR never really quite lived up to his status as a first round draft pick.
Mark Clayton spent much of his career wishing for better headphones; in his NFL retirement, he has created them.
www.si.com
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Chad Henne, 36 (7/2/85); was the career passing leader at Michigan, but has gone 18-36 as an NFL starter for Miami, Jacksonville and KC - and despite more career picks (63) than touchdown passes (60) is still employed as a pro football quarterback.
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Joe Pisarcik, 69 (7/2/52); NYG QB will forever be known for snatching defeat from the jaws of victory with the infamous fumble at the
Miracle at the Meadowlands.
Ex-NY Giants quarterback Joe Pisarcik is being sued for allegedly sexually harassing 3 female employees.
www.tmz.com
www.bostonherald.com
www.upi.com
