July 22 in Pats History: Tree Oakes

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Don 'Tree' Oakes​

Happy 83rd birthday to Don Oakes
Born July 22, 1938 in Roanoke, Virginia
Patriot LT, 1963-1968; uniform #71
Pats 21st round (162nd overall) selection of the 1961 AFL draft, from Virginia Tech

Before enrolling in college Donald Sherman Oakes went to Fork Union Military Academy in Virginia, home of one of the nation's premier prep school football programs; the school has produced 117 NFL players. While there he was a a member of their 1956 all state championship team as well as their wrestling team. Don then enrolled at Virginia Polytechnic Institute, where he again participated in those two sports. At Blacksburg he was named to the All-State and All-Southern Conference Teams in 1959.

Oakes was selected in the third round (42nd overall) of the 1961 NFL draft by Philadelphia. Knowing that he would likely sign with the more established league, he was passed by American Football League teams until the Pats took a flyer on him in the 21st round, 162nd overall.

The Eagles used Oakes on the defensive side of the ball, at defensive tackle. In his two seasons in Philly he played in 22 games in a reserve role, starting six games. In 1962 the Eagles were not a good team (they finished in last place in the NFL East with a 3-10-1 record, and would go 2-10-2 the following year), and the two starting defensive tackles were guys their head coach seemed to be satisfied with. A month after the conclusion of the 1962 season Don signed as a free agent with the Patriots, seeking a better opportunity.

That year Mike Holovak revamped his offensive line, adding Oakes at right tackle, moving Milt Graham from RT to LT and all star Charley Long from tackle to guard. The Patriots won the AFL East, the first title in franchise history that season, before falling to San Diego in the AFL championship game.

The following year Oakes was moved to left tackle, a position where he would remain in for the rest of his time with the Patriots. Here are some of the comments from the 1968 Boston Patriots media guide:

Selected first team Eastern All-Star last season . . . "one of the top two or three in the league I face" says Raiders' Ben Davidson . . . the "Roanoke Oak" is known as "Tree" by his teammates . . . he is the Pats' quiet man . . . former winner of the Pats Unsung Player Award . . . Coach Holovak said then of Don, "he's the quietest guy on the club, but certainly one of the best all-around players. I's like to have eleven more like him." . . . exactingly consistent rather than spectacular in his blocking . . . came to Boston highly recommended by Pats' coach and former NFL All-Pro Jesse Richardson . . . has been a regular all of his five years with the Pats and is getting better with each year . . . gets down field well on second blocks for Nance​

Don Oakes played in all but two games for the Patriots from 1963 to 1968. He then returned to his hometown of Roanoke, Virginia and became a school teacher there, as well as a high school football coach. I am guessing none of the kids messed with the 6'4, 255 pound former pro football player despite his quiet demeanor. He was named to the Virginia Tech Athletics Hall of Fame in 2001.


Don Oakes, Boston Patriots Football Player, Discusses the Upcoming Super Bowl Game on January 12, 1969 (3:51 video)

Hidden Heroes 2015: Don Oakes

Don Oakes was a college football player, a NFL football player, and a teacher. For college he went to Virginia Tech and played football for four years. He played for the Boston Patriots for six years in the NFL and then played for the Philadelphia Eagles for two years. He is married and has two children and in fact Mrs. Oakes the science teacher is married to his son. He is a retired teacher from Roanoke county schools and occasionally substitutes for the school. He currently lives in Vinton.​

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Mr. Oakes was hard working when he played football. He said, “It’s hard work and you have to be dedicated and be in the weight room.” He took his role as a NFL player very seriously. He said, “Hard work, sacrifice and physical fitness is key in being a successful player.” The qualities he had as a player made him all pro in 1967.​

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Mr. Oakes is a substitute teacher and a former football player. His dedication of stopping football and start to teach is what makes him a Hidden Hero.​

Don S. Oakes (1997) - Hall of Fame - Fork Union Military Academy Athletics

Don S. Oakes, Class: 1957 Induction: 1997 Sport(s): Football - Don Oakes came to FUMA in 1956 where he as a member of the All-State Military Championship Football

athletics.forkunion.com

Moon back in Golden Eagles' orbit

MONETA - A phenomenon occurred in these parts last fall.

roanoke.com

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Bake Turner​

Happy 81st birthday to Bake Turner
Born July 22, 1940 in Alpine, Texas
Patriot WR, 1970; uniform #40
Signed as a free agent on September 17, 1970

Robert Hardy 'Bake' Turner had a nine-year pro football career, with his final season being 1970 with the Patriots. He was a starter on that inept John Mazur/Clive Rush 2-12 squad that played at Harvard Stadium, in the final year before the wandering ramblers finally found a permanent home in Foxborough. In 1970 Turner caught 28 passes for 428 yards and two touchdowns, despite the fact that his quarterbacks were Joe Kapp and Mike Taliaferro.

Sept 16, 1970:

JETS CAREER ENDS FOR BAKE TURNER (Published 1970)

www.nytimes.com

Bake Turner was an American Football League All Star in 1963 when he had 71 receptions for 1,009 yards and six touchdowns. He earned a ring in the historic Super Bowl 3 upset, and scored 25 touchdowns during his pro football career. After hanging up his cleats he started playing guitar:

Alpine Super Bowl champ Bake Turner celebrates 50th anniversary of win

“When you’re in a sport like that, a pro sport, it all is fabulous,” said Turner. “Everybody loves you. Everything’s free. It’s just a lot of fun, so it was great for us.”​

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The winning team received a key to New York, and Turner turned to commercials and music. He performed on late-night talk shows such as The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson and the Ed Sullivan Show. He did commercials for hair cream and after-shave lotion that brought him back to the Big Bend. He was also the DQ Dude for a year, saying the slogan “Nobody makes them like Diary Queen.”​

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He said he made more money doing those commercials than when he was playing professional football. He took his friends hunting for quail in his new Cadillac Convertible.​

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“If you live in Alpine, you start playing football when you can walk, and I did,” said Turner.​

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After he graduated from Alpine High School as a quarterback and running back, he went on to play as a wide receiver at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, which was then known as Texas Technological College. He was first drafted to the Colts in 1961 before he signed with the Jets in 1963.​

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But as time went on, things started to taper off. The team wasn’t winning as much. The players started to get a little older and a little beat up. After he played a year with the Boston Patriots, Turner retired from football and returned to Texas. He lived in Dallas with his family, but after a divorce and his son went to college, he revisited Alpine and decided to move back.​

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“It was so easy going and friendly and fun and the price of property was reasonably cheap, so I bought some lots and came back,” said Turner.​

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It’s been 15 years since his return.​

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Now people can catch Turner playing his 1965 Gibson guitar he bought from a friend in 1975. He’s performed almost every year at Viva Big Bend music festival and plays community events.​

The link below leads to a video of the Jets 1966 highlight film, which includes highlights from their 24-24 tie against the Patriots at Fenway Park.

Bake Turner | Blogspot

Bake Turner played football at Alpine High, at Texas Tech University, and for the New York Jets in the old American Football League (AFL). His 1968 Jets team won the Super Bowl, beating the Baltimore Colts of the NFL, in one of the most memorable upsets in sports history.​

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After football Turner was a country singer and nightclub performer for many years, then a realtor and builder in Dallas. Turner is a 1958 graduate of Alpine High where he was a standout in football. After high school, he earned a scholarship to Texas Tech.​

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Sports fans can place Turner in one most memorable Super Bowls ever when in January of 1969, after the 1968 season, Jet's quarterback Joe Namath boldly predicted that the AFL Jets would beat the NFL Baltimore Colts. Prior to that time no AFL team had ever beaten an NFL team in "the ultimate game." But Namath and Turner and company came through and shocked the world with their upset win.​

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
George Crump​

Happy birthday to George Crump, who would have been 62 today
Born July 22, 1959 in Portsmouth, Virginia
Patriot DE, 1982; uniform #91
Pats 4th round (85th overall) selection of the 1982 draft, from East Carolina

Nov 28, 1992: George Crumb pressures Archie Manning in Week 12 game at Schaefer Stadium.
Crumb tackled Manning in the end zone in the 4th quarter to give the Pats a 22-7 lead;
the Patriots sacked manning six times on the day and won 29-21.​

More on that game below:
Grogan Riddles Oilers, 29-21 | The Washington Post

Veteran quarterback Steve Grogan, making his first start in more than a year, passed for three touchdowns and the New England defense sacked Archie Manning six times today as the Patriots beat the Houston Oilers, 29-21, before Schaefer Stadium's smallest NFL turnout.​

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The 33,602 in the 60,000-seat facility (451 more had tickets but did not show up) in sun but cold saw Grogan, replacing Matt Cavanaugh, find Stanley Morgan on scoring tosses covering 63 and 24 yards in the first period. He connected with Tony Collins for 14 yards and a safe 29-7 lead in the fourth quarter.​

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Second-year pro Collins had his best game, carrying 32 times for 161 yards. He set up two field goals by newly signed Dan Miller, the rookie who bid to take Mark Moseley's job before being cut by the Redskins on season's eve.​

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When the Oilers learned during the week that Grogan would start, "The first thing we wanted to do was stop Grogan from throwing the long bomb," said Houston Coach Ed Biles. "We didn't do it. He burnt us twice on long throws right off the bat. We knew we had to stop Tony Collins, and we didn't do that."​

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"It's nice to look at a .500 record," New England's first-year coach, Ron Meyer, said. "I don't know why Steve's passing was better here than in preseason. He did the job."​

March 26, 2007:

The Virginian-Pilot

pilotonline.com

George Stanley Crump II came from a line of big bruisers with gentle souls.​

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Crump was a 6-foot-4-inch, 260-pound defensive end who played two seasons with the New England Patriots and four years at East Carolina University.​

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"He could be mean on the field, but afterward he was just a nice guy," said Rex Gay, Crump's lifelong friend.​

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Off the field, after a knee injury ended his professional playing career, Crump, who was known as Stan, dedicated himself to causes such as Special Olympics and did volunteer teaching and coaching.​

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His dad, George Crump Sr., who is about 6 feet 6 inches tall, played football as well, and so did his grandfather.​

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"He and his dad were the same - they looked tough, but they're basically gentle giants," Gay said.​

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Crump died March 11 at age 47 from a blood clot.​

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George Crump Sr. watched with pride as his son played at Indian River High School, received a scholarship to ECU and then was chosen by the Patriots in the fourth round of the 1982 draft.​

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Unfortunately, he was nagged by a knee injury, and despite several operations and plenty of rehab, he retired after two seasons.​

March 17, 2013:

Daddy's Girl

Angelica Crump is not your average student. Not only is she an extremely successful athlete, but she has also had to face tragedy in her life. At the age

www.ucf.edu

“It’s just weird to know that I did make it somewhere. And sometimes it does hurt, because I would love for him to see what we actually talked about,” she said. Losing her father helped her look at life from a new perspective.​

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“I think it was sophomore year when I just woke up and thought life is short. Death is so unexpected and I feel like I learned to take advantage of opportunities. It made me realize to do things you love because you never know what going to happen and you need to take risks.”​

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Because Crump knows what her father went through as an athlete, she knows how quickly everything can change because of something like an injury. She says that has helped her realize that she wants to pursue something different after college.​

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“That’s one thing that kind of scares me about being an athlete. He really focused on just being an athlete and then his career didn’t go the way he wanted to and it really affected him.”​

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Since her father’s death, Crump says she is even closer to her family than ever before.​

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Steven Jackson​

Happy 38th birthday to Steven Jackson
Born July 22, 1983 in Las Vegas
Patriot RB, 2015; uniform #39
Signed as a free agent on December 22, 2015


A little back story on Steven Jackson and how the draft can change the fortunes of a franchise. Two weeks prior to the 2004 draft Denver traded Deltha O'Neal, their first round pick (#24) and a fourth to Cincinnati in order to move up seven spots to #17. Then on draft day the Bengals traded down again, moving down two spots in order to pick up another fourth round pick. They used that #26 selection on a running back by the name of Chris Perry, who rushed for a mere 606 yards and two touchdowns in his career and was out of the league after four seasons. Had they stayed put, Cincy could have instead chosen another running back that was taken at that spot by the St. Louis Rams: Steven Jackson.

The three-time Pro Bowler appeared in two late season games for the Pats in 2015, as well as their two playoff games that season. Jackson got the start and scored a touchdown to tie the score at 10 in the week 17 loss to Miami; he also scored a touchdown to give the Patriots an early lead in the 20-18 AFCCG loss at Denver.


Jan 2, 2016:

Adrian High School boys basketball defeats Clinton

You don’t always have to be a starter to make the biggest impact on a game. That couldn’t have been more true Saturday as the Adrian High School boys basketball team’s bench led the way to a 66-25 …

www.providencejournal.com

JACKSON STAYED IN SHAPE throughout 2015, but as football seemingly moved on without him, he started to move on with his life. He even re-enrolled at Oregon State, taking a family business class online.​

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Then Thanksgiving came.​

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Jackson and his family invited 20 to 30 people to their house for a potluck dinner. It was his first Thanksgiving when he didn’t have to worry about weighing in the next day. Jackson didn’t make a big announcement, but for the first time, he thought he was done with football. He sat on his couch and actually enjoyed watching games on TV like a fan would.​

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“To be honest with you, Thanksgiving weekend was my farewell to myself to the game,” Jackson said. “I was transitioning well. Went back to school, continuing my education there. But as far as football, I was slowly getting back to becoming a fan and watching the game and enjoying, instead of criticizing it and looking at schemes.”​

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Just a couple weeks later, Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount suffered a season-ending hip injury, and Bill Belichick threw a wrench into Jackson’s retirement plans. Jackson was in Foxboro for a tryout on Dec. 16. Six days later, he was signed. Last weekend, nearly a month after that dinner, Jackson was on the field as the Patriots took on the New York Jets.​

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“I’m very fortunate in that I took good care of myself throughout the season,” Jackson said. “I just live a healthy lifestyle and it paid off.”​

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Jackson’s work ethic has impressed Belichick already. He’s also shown diligence in learning the playbook, his assignments and blocking schemes, and in getting on the same page with Tom Brady.​

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“That takes work, it takes effort,” Belichick said. “You’ve got to build those relationships and that communication, and I think he worked really hard at that and continues to.”​

Jan 24, 2016: Steven Jackson scores a touchdown against the Broncos in the first quarter in the AFC Championship game, for his first (and only) playoff touchdown​

Best of Steven Jackson | Patriots.com [14-photo slideshow]

• 2,336 yards from scrimmage led the NFL in 2006 (6th best all-time)
• 11,438 career yards rushing (18th all-time)
• 15,121 career yards from scrimmage (23rd all-time)
• 69 career rushing touchdowns (31st all-time)
• 71.5 career yards rushing per game (36th all-time)
• 11 consecutive seasons with 4+ rushing touchdowns (NFL record)
• 11 consecutive seasons with 40+ yard run (NFL record)
• 870 consecutive touches without a fumble (NFL record)

Steven Jackson's Most Dominant Runs | NFL Highlights (8:47)
​

 

[Hyped]

Too bad he was already done by the time we played Denver for the AFC title game..... man...that loss still stings me...Gostkowski missing a PAT!!!

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
More from the medley of July 22 Patriot birthdays​

Happy 44th birthday to Aric Morris
Born July 22, 1977 in Winston-Salem
Patriot safety, 2003; uniform #28
Signed as a free agent on May 9, 2003

Aric Morris played in four games for the Pats, in what would be his final season in the NFL. In the 2003 week two 31-10 win over Philadelphia he had two special team tackles, and intercepted a Donovan McNabb pass that was intended for Todd Pinkston 33 yards, effectively sealing the victory. Morris played in 51 NFL games over four seasons (the rest being with Tennessee), and later signed with the San Antonio Texans of the CFL. (San Antonio + Canadian Football League? Something doesn't sound right.)


May 9, 2003:

Patriots sign two safeties, Aric Morris and Scott Farley

The New England Patriots announced the signing of two free agent safeties today, veteran free agent Aric Morris and rookie free agent Scott Farley.

www.patriots.com

Morris, 25, joins the Patriots after three seasons with the Tennessee Titans. Last year, he appeared in all 18 Titans games, including both playoff games, and finished second on the team with 18 special teams tackles.​

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The 5-foot-10-inch, 212-pound safety was originally drafted by the Tennessee Titans in the fifth round of the 2000 NFL draft out of Michigan State. Over the past three years, he has participated in 47 of 48 possible games, including 10 starts in 2001. He is credited with 56 career tackles, including 1.5 sacks, and 45 special teams stops.​

Saban Leads Experienced, Talented Squad into 1999 - Michigan State University Athletics

Aug. 4, 1999? Offense ? Defense ? Schedule ? Team Strengths ? Team QuestionsMichigan State fifth-year head coach Nick Saban likes the experience he sees when looking

msuspartans.com

Eight lettermen return in the defensive backfield, including starters Aric Morris (5-11, 207, Sr.) and Renaldo Hill (5-11, 170, Jr.).​

Morris, who led the Spartans with 127 tackles (76-51) in '98, enters his third season as the starting strong safety. He reached double figures in tackles seven times last season, including a career-high 17 tackles each vs. Penn State (12-5) and Ohio State (10-7).​

"Aric Morris is one of the top players at his position in the country," Saban said. "He has been one of our most productive players the last two years and he has the ability to make big plays.​

"Aric has emerged as a true team leader. His presence reminds me a little of Ike Reese and it's important to have that type of leader."​

Happy 57th birthday to Kitrick Taylor
Born July 22, 1964 in Los Angeles
Patriot KR/WR, 1989; uniform #49
Signed as a free agent on November 16, 1989

Kitrick Lavell Taylor was a 5th round pick by the Chiefs in 1987, out of Washington State. His claim to fame is being on the receiving end of Brett Favre's first NFL winning touchdown pass, a 35-yard catch to defeat the Bengals with 13 seconds remaining on September 20, 1992.

Taylor appeared in four games for the Patriots, with three kick returns as his stat line. In 47 NFL games with the Chiefs, Pats, Chargers, Packers and Broncos he averaged 9.0 yards on 68 punt returns with one touchdown, and caught 36 passes for 414 yards and one other TD.

September 13, 2020:

Former NFL Player Among Defendants in Sexual Abuse Suit - MyNewsLA.com

The Pomona Unified School District is being sued by a former track and field team member who alleges that in the late 1990s she was sexually abused by one coach and also witnessed a teammate being molested by another coach who had previously played in the National Football League. The woman’s...

mynewsla.com

Happy 33rd birthday to Robert 'Reggie' McClain
Born July 22, 1988; from Lusby, Maryland
Patriot CB, 2015 (offseason); uniform #22
Signed as a free agent on March 15, 2018


The cornerback from the University of Connecticut played in 94 NFL games from 2010 to 2017, for Carolina, Atlanta, San Diego and Tampa. The Patriots released McClain as part of final roster cuts on September 5, 2015; he re-signed with the Panthers a week later.

July 22, 2015:

5 things you didn’t know about Patriots CB Robert McClain

We're sharing a few fun facts about Robert McClain in honor of his 27th birthday.

www.patriots.com

Robert McClain Art

The artist, Robert McClain, was born and raised in Philadelphia before moving to Lusby, Maryland as a child where he attended Patuxent High School. Mr. McClain took his artistic and football talents to the University of Connecticut in Storrs, CT. In 2010, Mr. McClain was drafted by the Carolina Panthers, and has spent time with the New England Patriots, Atlanta Falcons, Jacksonville Jaguars and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.​

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Away from the gridiron, Mr. McClain loves spending his free time with family and friends, drawing and sketching, playing with Melo, and volunteering at the Atlanta Humane Society.​

July 22, 2021:

Report: Gilmore reports, starts on PUP

According to two reports from ESPN, Stephon Gilmore was present at Gillette Stadium on Thursday, while the Patriots PUP list was also set.

www.patriots.com

Stephon Gilmore reports to Gillette, will start training camp on PUP list

Gilmore was one of eight Patriots players added to the list Thursday ahead of the official start of camp next week.

www.boston.com

Gilmore was one of eight Patriots players added to the list Thursday ahead of the official start of camp next week. Quarterback Jarrett Stidham, defensive end Chase Winovich, defensive tackle Byron Cowart, linebacker Terez Hall, tight end Dalton Keene, linebacker Brandon King and receiver Devin Smith also will be sidelined when camp begins.​

Gilmore sat out both the voluntary and mandatory portions of New England’s offseason program in May and June. He will turn 31 in September and tied a career low with one interception last season.​

July 22, 2019:

Report: Several Patriots to start camp on PUP/NFI

According to the NFL's transaction wire, six Patriots were placed on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list ahead of Training Camp.

www.patriots.com

According to the NFL's transaction wire, six Patriots were placed on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list ahead of Training Camp. Those players designated to this list included T Cole Croston, DB Nate Ebner, RB Sony Michel, WR Demaryius Thomas, DB Ken Webster and DE Deatrich Wise. In addition, T Rodney Cajuste was placed on the Non-Football Injury (NFI) list.​

Patriots WR Julian Edelman to miss start of training camp with thumb injury

The plethora of newcomers to the Patriots’ pass-catching corps will get plenty of work with Tom Brady in the coming weeks. The Patriots’ unquestioned No. 1 option, Julian Edelman, is ex…

www.bostonherald.com

Julian Edelman to miss beginning of training camp with thumb injury, report says - The Boston Globe

The Patriots receiver either broke or sprained his thumb catching a pass and is expected to be back in about three weeks.

www.bostonglobe.com

Julian Edelman to miss three weeks as Patriots injuries pile up

Julian Edelman will have to wait a little bit longer to get on the field, and it could be a while before the Patriots are at full strength. Edelman, who signed a three-year deal this offseason, was…

nypost.com

July 22, 2016:

For first time, Bill Belichick has both sons officially on Patriots' staff

Brian Belichick is a new addition to the Patriots' scouting staff, meaning that he and brother Steve (safeties coach) are both on dad Bill's staff.

www.espn.com

July 22, 2013:

Patriots sign rookie DL Anthony Rashad White

The New England Patriots announced today the signing of rookie free agent DL Anthony Rashad White.

www.patriots.com

Besides McClain, some other pro football players born on July 22 with New England connections:

- Dan Jones, 51 (7/22/70)
Born in Malden, went to Malden High School and the University of Maine.
The offensive tackle played in 34 games for the Bengals from 1993-95.

Dan Jones Football Clinic

The Dan Jones Football Clinic will be held Saturday, June 22, 8 a.m. to noon, at MacDonald Stadium, Pearl Street, Malden. This four-hour clinic will be open to all Malden students currently enrolled …

malden.wickedlocal.com

- Roland Nabors (7/22/24-12/3/99)
157th overall selection by the Boston Yanks of the 1947 draft.

Tuffy Nabors - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

- Don Irwin (7/22/13-6/8/83)
The fullback was the 56th overall pick of the 1936 draft, by the Boston Redskins. The following year George Preston Marshall moved the club to Washington, and Irwin was part of that team that won the 1937 NFL championship. Irwin played in 29 games with 15 starts, scoring six touchdowns in his four years with the Skins.
Don Irwin | Fenway Park Diaries



And a few other notable NFL players sharing this birth date include:

-Tim Brown, 55 (1966)
Hall of Fame wide receiver was named to nine Pro Bowls during his time with the Raiders and is a member of the NFL's All-1990s Team. he led the league in kick return yards and kick return average and all purpose yards in 1988, in punt return yards in 1994, and in receptions and yards per touch in 1997.

Tim Brown | Pro Football Hall of Fame

www.profootballhof.com

- Keyshawn Johnson, 49 (1972)
The first overall pick of the 1996 draft was known for his brash arrogance, but he did have 10,571 yards receiving (42nd all time) and 66 touchdowns over his career. His 14 receptions in the 2002 postseason and was an instrumental part in Tampa Bay winning the first Super Bowl, the year after the Pats won their first.

Bucs deactivate Keyshawn Johnson for season

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have deactivated former All-Pro wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson for the rest of the season, ESPN's Len Pasquarelli reports Tuesday.

www.espn.com

- Ezekiel Elliott, 26 (1995)
Elliott led the league in rushing yardage in 2016 and 2018, and in rushing yards per game in each of his first three seasons. With 1,358 touches in his first four seasons, it won't be long until Elliott's productivity diminishes due to overuse. Fortunately for his sake that didn't happen before signing a contract extension with $45 million guaranteed a year ago.

How Ezekiel Elliott’s contract and value differ from other big-money RBs who’ve been released this offseason

The running back position is devalued across the NFL. In this uncompromising offseason, two running backs at the top of the position in terms of salary were...

www.dallasnews.com

 

[Pape]

Today in Patriots History
Don 'Tree' Oakes​

Happy 83rd birthday to Don Oakes
Born July 22, 1938 in Roanoke, Virginia
Patriot LT, 1963-1968; uniform #71
Pats 21st round (162nd overall) selection of the 1961 AFL draft, from Virginia Tech

Looking thru a lot of old photos of the 60's, its amazing how many pics this guy is in...

Today in Patriots History
Bake Turner​

Happy 81st birthday to Bake Turner
Born July 22, 1940 in Alpine, Texas
Patriot WR, 1970; uniform #40
Signed as a free agent on September 17, 1970

one of my favorite Patriot pics lol

 

[jimnance]

C'mon,man. Tree Oakes? Bake Turner?
George Crump? These are fake names.
You made em up to keep this great thread going on a slow day. I'm on to you.

 

[captain stone]

Too bad he was already done by the time we played Denver for the AFC title game..... man...that loss still stings me...Gostkowski missing a PAT!!!

A 10-yard PAT too...That loss is on him more than anyone else on the field that day.

 

[Hyped]

A 10-yard PAT too...That loss is on him more than anyone else on the field that day.

And Jamie Collins biting on an Owen Daniels up and out route...not once, but TWICE.

 

[captain stone]

And Jamie Collins biting on an Owen Daniels up and out route...not once, but TWICE.

Bill's fault for not having a LB on the roster who could actually cover somebody...Mayo sucked vs wheel routes also.

 

[NCPATSFAN1971]

Today in Patriots History
Bake Turner​

Happy 81st birthday to Bake Turner
Born July 22, 1940 in Alpine, Texas
Patriot WR, 1970; uniform #40
Signed as a free agent on September 17, 1970

Robert Hardy 'Bake' Turner had a nine-year pro football career, with his final season being 1970 with the Patriots. He was a starter on that inept John Mazur/Clive Rush 2-12 squad that played at Harvard Stadium, in the final year before the wandering ramblers finally found a permanent home in Foxborough. In 1970 Turner caught 28 passes for 428 yards and two touchdowns, despite the fact that his quarterbacks were Joe Kapp and Mike Taliaferro.

Sept 16, 1970:

JETS CAREER ENDS FOR BAKE TURNER (Published 1970)

www.nytimes.com

Bake Turner was an American Football League All Star in 1963 when he had 71 receptions for 1,009 yards and six touchdowns. He earned a ring in the historic Super Bowl 3 upset, and scored 25 touchdowns during his pro football career. After hanging up his cleats he started playing guitar:

Alpine Super Bowl champ Bake Turner celebrates 50th anniversary of win

“When you’re in a sport like that, a pro sport, it all is fabulous,” said Turner. “Everybody loves you. Everything’s free. It’s just a lot of fun, so it was great for us.”​

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The winning team received a key to New York, and Turner turned to commercials and music. He performed on late-night talk shows such as The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson and the Ed Sullivan Show. He did commercials for hair cream and after-shave lotion that brought him back to the Big Bend. He was also the DQ Dude for a year, saying the slogan “Nobody makes them like Diary Queen.”​

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He said he made more money doing those commercials than when he was playing professional football. He took his friends hunting for quail in his new Cadillac Convertible.​

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“If you live in Alpine, you start playing football when you can walk, and I did,” said Turner.​

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After he graduated from Alpine High School as a quarterback and running back, he went on to play as a wide receiver at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, which was then known as Texas Technological College. He was first drafted to the Colts in 1961 before he signed with the Jets in 1963.​

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But as time went on, things started to taper off. The team wasn’t winning as much. The players started to get a little older and a little beat up. After he played a year with the Boston Patriots, Turner retired from football and returned to Texas. He lived in Dallas with his family, but after a divorce and his son went to college, he revisited Alpine and decided to move back.​

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“It was so easy going and friendly and fun and the price of property was reasonably cheap, so I bought some lots and came back,” said Turner.​

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It’s been 15 years since his return.​

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Now people can catch Turner playing his 1965 Gibson guitar he bought from a friend in 1975. He’s performed almost every year at Viva Big Bend music festival and plays community events.​

The link below leads to a video of the Jets 1966 highlight film, which includes highlights from their 24-24 tie against the Patriots at Fenway Park.

Bake Turner | Blogspot

Bake Turner played football at Alpine High, at Texas Tech University, and for the New York Jets in the old American Football League (AFL). His 1968 Jets team won the Super Bowl, beating the Baltimore Colts of the NFL, in one of the most memorable upsets in sports history.​

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After football Turner was a country singer and nightclub performer for many years, then a realtor and builder in Dallas. Turner is a 1958 graduate of Alpine High where he was a standout in football. After high school, he earned a scholarship to Texas Tech.​

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Sports fans can place Turner in one most memorable Super Bowls ever when in January of 1969, after the 1968 season, Jet's quarterback Joe Namath boldly predicted that the AFL Jets would beat the NFL Baltimore Colts. Prior to that time no AFL team had ever beaten an NFL team in "the ultimate game." But Namath and Turner and company came through and shocked the world with their upset win.​

"In 1970 Turner caught 28 passes for 428 yards and two touchdowns, despite the fact that his quarterbacks were Joe Kapp and Mike Taliaferro."

I remember when Joe Kapp came over from the Vikings.

Most of us hated Cam's short passes that skipped on the turf like ground balls last year but I think that Kapp was actually worse. I don't know how he did it but I think I saw some of Kapp's passes actually sail in the air end over end. Mike Taliaferro was nothing to write home about either. Ahh, the good old days. Not! LOL

 

[PatsFanInVa]

C'mon,man. Tree Oakes? Bake Turner?
George Crump? These are fake names.
You made em up to keep this great thread going on a slow day. I'm on to you.

But you've got to appreciate the deadpan attention to craft, writing up these National Lampoon Yearbook Parody-level "histories"