July 25 in Pats History: Ron Burton

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Ron Burton​

In memory of Ron Burton, who would have been 85 today
Born July 25, 1936 in Springfield, Ohio
Patriot HB/PR/KR 1960-65; uniform #22
Pats first draft pick (#9 overall) in 1960, from Northwestern
Died in Boston at the age of 67 in 2003

There is a must-read story on Ron Burton's youth here:
Ron Burton Sr. - Ron Burton Training Village

Because of his parental situation, his grandmother kept him in the church to keep an eye on him. He was scorned and laughed at by other kids because of his extreme poverty and lack of athletic talent. Ron was predictably the last child to be chosen for any game or team by other kids. Constantly teased and belittled by his classmates, his middle school administration added insult to injury by not allowing young Ron to try out for the football team. Being of frail build and with no guidance in sports, his middle school actually feared for his well being and Ron was the only student to whom the school refused to give a football uniform.​

Aug 17, 2012:

The Boston Patriots' Ron Burton

#03 - Ron Burton Ron Burton came to the Boston Patriots in the first round of the 1960 AFL Draft. Burton was a highly touted back for Ara Parseghian's Northwestern teams in the late 1950s,

talesfromtheamericanfootballleague.com

Ron Burton came to the Boston Patriots in the first round of the 1960 AFL Draft. Burton was a highly touted back for Ara Parseghian’s Northwestern teams in the late 1950s, and was selected All-America in 1959.​

Burton immediately found a home for himself in the Patriots backfield, and running back punts and kickoffs. He played in 41-of-42 Patriots games from 19601-962, before a devastating back injury caused him to miss the entire 1963 season. During his five-year career, Ron Burton carried the ball 429 times for 1,36 yards (3.6 average) and nine touchdowns. He also caught 111 passes for 1,205 yards and eight scores.​

Ron Burton retired after the 1966 preseason, and immediately went to work for the John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Companies in Boston. He developed into a highly successful insurance salesman. Later he transferred to an executive position in public relations, and became one of the nation’s top motivational speakers.​

In 1999, at the age of 64, Burton was diagnosed with multiple myeloma (bone cancer). He lived another three years before passing away in 2003.​

Sept 15, 2003:

Ron Burton, The First Patriot Ever Drafted, Passes Away at 67

Ron Burton, The First Patriot Ever Drafted, Passes Away at 67 Sunday

www.patriots.com

As a high school senior, Ron Burton was considered the best football player in the state of Ohio after he earned All-American and All-Ohio honors as a senior. He received 47 scholarship offers that year and chose Northwestern University, where he earned All-American honors during his junior and senior seasons. On Nov. 22, 1959, the American Football League held their inaugural draft and the Boston Patriots selected Burton with their first pick.​

In six seasons with the Patriots he appeared in 69 games and recorded 4,249 all-purpose yards while scoring 18 touchdowns. In 1962, he appeared in every game and recorded career highs with 548 yards and two touchdowns on 134 carries (4.1 avg.). He also added 40 receptions for 461 yards and 4 touchdowns.​

Sept 14, 2003:

Ron Burton passes away

The New England Patriots learned this morning of the passing of Ron Burton, the first player drafted in franchise history. He was 67 years old.

www.patriots.com

Throughout his playing career, Burton was a leader both on the field and in the community. Following his career, Burton remained in New England, where he raised his family and continued his commitment to philanthropy. In 1985, Ron and his family bought 305 acres of land in Hubbardston, Mass. and built the facilities to host the Ron Burton Training Village, which annually provides a month-long “training camp” atmosphere for inner-city and underprivileged children to help them build self-esteem, self-reliance, respect for others and racial harmony through athletic and educational activities. Thousands of children from throughout New England have attended the camp, which has hosted attendees from as far away as Florida and California.​

This past summer, the New England Patriots created a community service award and named it after Ron Burton. The award will be presented annually to the player who, like Burton, makes the greatest impact in the New England community.​

Ron Burton Sr. built a ‘utopia’ of love and faith, leaving a legacy greater than football

Ron Burton Sr., the Patriots' first draft pick in 1960, built a legacy bigger than football through the Ron Burton Training Village, and his family's dedication has ensured it lives on.

www.patriots.com

Ron Burton Sr. - Ron Burton Training Village

Ron Burton Sr. was an extremely impoverished young boy growing up in Springfield, Ohio who essentially had no parents. His mother passed while he was in middle school and his father became very ill. Ron was moved out of that home to be cared for by other family members. Thankfully, his...

www.ronburtontrainingvillage.org

Nothing into Something: The Burton Family Story

Whether it’s been in 1957 or 2020, on the field or inside Welsh-Ryan Arena, the Burtons have brought great things through NU, both in their sports and outside of them.

www.insidenu.com

Changing lives at the Ron Burton Training Village - Fifty Plus Advocate Changing lives at the Ron Burton Training Village

By Jane Keller Gordon, Assistant Editor Hubbardston - In 1960, for the first time up until that point, the New England Patriots scored a first-round draft Hubbardston - In 1960, for the first time up until that point, the New England Patriots scored a first-round draft choice.

www.fiftyplusadvocate.com

MIAA/Ron Burton Community Service Award

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Brian Holloway​

Happy 62nd birthday to Brian Holloway
Born July 25, 1959 in Omaha, NE
Patriot LT, 1981-1986; uniform #76
Pats 1st round (19th overall) selection of the 1981 draft, from Stanford

Brian Holloway missed just one game in his six seasons with the Patriots, and was named to three consecutive Pro Bowls (1983-1984-1985). He missed just one game in his six years in New England, at one point making 71 consecutive starts. Holloway is also a member of the Patriots All-Decade Team of the 1980s.

​

In 2013 his name was in the news for a while when his house was trashed. The Grantland article below provides a detailed lengthy explanation about what happened, and the curious aftermath.

Nov 13, 2013:

» What Happened at Brian Holloway’s House?

grantland.com

An NFL player's empty home. A massive teenage party. A tailor-made story of social-media shaming and a former star wronged. Until you dig deeper, that is.​

Around midnight on August 31, 2013, Brian Holloway Jr., then a sophomore at the University of South Florida, received a Facebook message from a friend that included a photo of some kids partying against a backdrop he vaguely recognized. Alarmed, Holloway Jr. searched for “party” in Twitter’s search bar and when he found too many results, tried “Stephentown” instead, revealing scores of tweets from dozens of kids, a handful of whom Holloway Jr. recognized from his days at nearby Berlin Junior/Senior High School. The online chatter confirmed what Holloway Jr. already suspected: A rager was going off at his family’s home in Stephentown, New York. Holloway Jr. immediately called his father, Brian Holloway Sr., a former NFL offensive lineman turned motivational speaker/tech entrepreneur, and told him they “had a code red.” He sent his father a series of tweets and Instagram photos that showed the usual detritus of a teenage party — red Solo cups, table dances, and a whole lot of smirking selfies. The elder Holloway told Junior to start compiling every piece of social-media evidence he could find. The next day, Holloway, who lives with his wife, Tammy, and his two youngest sons in Lutz, Florida, flew to upstate New York and found a ruined home. . . .​

The overall condition of the house only further complicates Holloway’s estimate of $20,000 to $30,000 in damages. All the window frames in the property’s main house are in the latter stages of rot, large cracks run through the paint on the siding, and the two outbuildings — the rec center and the barn — are splitting apart from leaks in the roofs. “If someone actually bought this place,” a construction worker who lives in the immediate area told me, “they would just tear all this down and start new. You can’t save any of this.” . . .​

One question has nagged at me since my trip to Stephentown. What happened to Brian Holloway? How did a man with such a lengthy history of doing right in the community turn into the man who launched this online campaign for god knows what? Where had Brian Holloway, historical good man, gone? In the aughts, I was a high school English teacher without a clue about how to relate to or discipline my students. Watching Holloway interact with the kids who came to help with the cleanup bordered on a revelatory experience: He was the embodiment of the role model he claims to be — authoritative, consistent, and compassionate. Lipsyte, who traveled with Holloway to a juvenile detention center back in the ’90s, reported something similar. But I can find no authority, consistency, or compassion in HelpMeSave300.com, only self-victimization and the perhaps delusional flailings of a man short on time and money. . . .​

Nov 13, 2013:

So, Yeah, Brian Holloway Is Pretty Damn Weird

Grantland's Jay Kang traveled to Stephentown, N.Y., to talk to Brian Holloway, the former all-pro NFL lineman who recently set off a bit of a media ****storm after a bunch of teenagers threw a party in his abandoned and foreclosed home. Kang's piece attempts to answer the question that has hung...

deadspin.com

Is he just a noble victim of dirty no-good teens, or is he a shady opportunist with a severely cokkeyed view of both himself and the world around him? The answer is that he is both, but he's a whole lot more of the second than he is the first.​

Since retiring from pro football Holloway has been working as a corporate motivational speaker. Check out the hyperbole:

Premiere Speakers Bureau: Keynote Speakers, Business Speakers, Motivational Speakers, and Celebrity Speakers

Biography for Brian Holloway , Keynote Speaker, A Stanford All-American and 5 Time NFL All-Pro

premierespeakers.com

A Stanford All-American and five-time NFL All-Pro, Brian Holloway, excelled as the team captain of the 1985 New England Patriots, AFC Championship Team. In 1986, at age 26, Holloway was one of the principal architects of the NFL's growth strategy that produced a landmark $18 Billion TV contract in 1998. Look for his distinguished football accomplishments to be recorded in the Pro Football's Hall of Fame. Hall of Fame Coach, Bill Walsh - NFL Dynasty Crafter, calls Brian "A true champion. A playmaker and a leader that calls out the best in people."​

Hired by 258 Fortune 500 Companies, Brian Holloway has set himself apart in delivering high performance value for the hard charging corporate competitors. Brian is recognized for his elite status as a TEAM BUILDING expert. He is a leader. He is a motivator.​

 

[Pape]

Today in Patriots History
Ron Burton​

In memory of Ron Burton, who would have been 85 today
Born July 25, 1936 in Springfield, Ohio
Patriot HB/PR/KR 1960-65; uniform #22
Pats first draft pick (#9 overall) in 1960, from Northwestern
Died in Boston at the age of 67 in 2003

There is a must-read story on Ron Burton's youth here:
Ron Burton Sr. - Ron Burton Training Village

Because of his parental situation, his grandmother kept him in the church to keep an eye on him. He was scorned and laughed at by other kids because of his extreme poverty and lack of athletic talent. Ron was predictably the last child to be chosen for any game or team by other kids. Constantly teased and belittled by his classmates, his middle school administration added insult to injury by not allowing young Ron to try out for the football team. Being of frail build and with no guidance in sports, his middle school actually feared for his well being and Ron was the only student to whom the school refused to give a football uniform.​

Aug 17, 2012:

The Boston Patriots' Ron Burton

#03 - Ron Burton Ron Burton came to the Boston Patriots in the first round of the 1960 AFL Draft. Burton was a highly touted back for Ara Parseghian's Northwestern teams in the late 1950s,

talesfromtheamericanfootballleague.com

Ron Burton came to the Boston Patriots in the first round of the 1960 AFL Draft. Burton was a highly touted back for Ara Parseghian’s Northwestern teams in the late 1950s, and was selected All-America in 1959.​

Burton immediately found a home for himself in the Patriots backfield, and running back punts and kickoffs. He played in 41-of-42 Patriots games from 19601-962, before a devastating back injury caused him to miss the entire 1963 season. During his five-year career, Ron Burton carried the ball 429 times for 1,36 yards (3.6 average) and nine touchdowns. He also caught 111 passes for 1,205 yards and eight scores.​

Ron Burton retired after the 1966 preseason, and immediately went to work for the John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Companies in Boston. He developed into a highly successful insurance salesman. Later he transferred to an executive position in public relations, and became one of the nation’s top motivational speakers.​

In 1999, at the age of 64, Burton was diagnosed with multiple myeloma (bone cancer). He lived another three years before passing away in 2003.​

Sept 15, 2003:

Ron Burton, The First Patriot Ever Drafted, Passes Away at 67

Ron Burton, The First Patriot Ever Drafted, Passes Away at 67 Sunday

www.patriots.com

As a high school senior, Ron Burton was considered the best football player in the state of Ohio after he earned All-American and All-Ohio honors as a senior. He received 47 scholarship offers that year and chose Northwestern University, where he earned All-American honors during his junior and senior seasons. On Nov. 22, 1959, the American Football League held their inaugural draft and the Boston Patriots selected Burton with their first pick.​

In six seasons with the Patriots he appeared in 69 games and recorded 4,249 all-purpose yards while scoring 18 touchdowns. In 1962, he appeared in every game and recorded career highs with 548 yards and two touchdowns on 134 carries (4.1 avg.). He also added 40 receptions for 461 yards and 4 touchdowns.​

Sept 14, 2003:

Ron Burton passes away

The New England Patriots learned this morning of the passing of Ron Burton, the first player drafted in franchise history. He was 67 years old.

www.patriots.com

Throughout his playing career, Burton was a leader both on the field and in the community. Following his career, Burton remained in New England, where he raised his family and continued his commitment to philanthropy. In 1985, Ron and his family bought 305 acres of land in Hubbardston, Mass. and built the facilities to host the Ron Burton Training Village, which annually provides a month-long “training camp” atmosphere for inner-city and underprivileged children to help them build self-esteem, self-reliance, respect for others and racial harmony through athletic and educational activities. Thousands of children from throughout New England have attended the camp, which has hosted attendees from as far away as Florida and California.​

This past summer, the New England Patriots created a community service award and named it after Ron Burton. The award will be presented annually to the player who, like Burton, makes the greatest impact in the New England community.​

Ron Burton Sr. built a ‘utopia’ of love and faith, leaving a legacy greater than football

Ron Burton Sr., the Patriots' first draft pick in 1960, built a legacy bigger than football through the Ron Burton Training Village, and his family's dedication has ensured it lives on.

www.patriots.com

Ron Burton Sr. - Ron Burton Training Village

Ron Burton Sr. was an extremely impoverished young boy growing up in Springfield, Ohio who essentially had no parents. His mother passed while he was in middle school and his father became very ill. Ron was moved out of that home to be cared for by other family members. Thankfully, his...

www.ronburtontrainingvillage.org

Nothing into Something: The Burton Family Story

Whether it’s been in 1957 or 2020, on the field or inside Welsh-Ryan Arena, the Burtons have brought great things through NU, both in their sports and outside of them.

www.insidenu.com

Changing lives at the Ron Burton Training Village - Fifty Plus Advocate Changing lives at the Ron Burton Training Village

By Jane Keller Gordon, Assistant Editor Hubbardston - In 1960, for the first time up until that point, the New England Patriots scored a first-round draft Hubbardston - In 1960, for the first time up until that point, the New England Patriots scored a first-round draft choice.

www.fiftyplusadvocate.com

MIAA/Ron Burton Community Service Award

Maybe someone can explain this to me ... I had thought the Ger Schwedes was the first ever pick by the Boston Patriots, but see Ron Burton listed as the first all the time...

Gerhard Schwedes (HB/Syracuse) was selected by the Patriots in the Territorial Draft... The territorial draft occurred before the inaugural draft... Each teams pick (iirc there was one per team) was reached by consensus, so there was no real "drafting order" per se... So should these, as they called them, "Bonus Selections" count?

Is this just a technicality? Am I picking nits?

Thoughts/Opinions on the matter?

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Gerard Warren​

Happy 43rd birthday to Gerard Warren
Born July 25, 1978 in Lake City, Florida
Patriot DT, 2010-2011; uniform #92, 62, 98
Signed as a free agent on April 24, 2010

Gerard Warren was the third overall pick of the 2001 draft by Cleveland. The former Florida Gator played for the Browns, Broncos and Raiders before signing with the Pats at the age of 32. He was considered to be a flop by Cleveland fans, traded away to Denver for pennies on the dollar (a fourth round pick ahead of the draft in 2005). The Broncos were impressed in his first season there, re-signing him to a six-year, $36 million contract just prior to the start of free agency. The Mile High love for Warren didn't last long; he was dealt to division rival Oakland a year later, for a conditional draft pick. After two seasons in Oakland he signed a two year, $12.8 million contract that included a $4.6 million signing bonus; the Raiders waived Warren one year later in March of 2010.

While Cleveland, Denver and Oakland may have soured on their return on investment in regards to Gerard Warren, that was not the case in Foxborough. He was signed on April 29, 2010 to a one-year deal with a base of $900k that included a mere $40k signing bonus, and re-signed in 2012 to a $925k contract. Warren became one in a long list of veteran draft bust reclamation projects, filling a specific lower profile role in a positive manner.

Dec 12, 2010: Jay Cutler of the Chicago Bears is sacked by Gerard Warren at Soldier Field.​

Gerard Warren played in 28 games with ten starts in his two stints with the Patriots, making 4.5 sacks, 40 tackles (six tackles for a loss), nine quarterback hits and one fumble recovery. He also had eleven tackles in four postseason games for the Pats.

Browns restructure Gerard Warren's contract

Read more on ESPN

www.espn.com

Cleveland Browns 'flop' Gerard Warren remembered as player with heart by former coach

Cleveland fans remember the former Browns defensive lineman as a flop. But former coach Terry Robiskie remembers a player with an 'unbelievable' passion for the game.

www.cleveland.com

Gerard Warren: 1-year deal

Veteran defensive lineman Gerard Warren's contract with the Patriots is a one-year deal.Warren is scheduled to earn a base salary of $900,000. He received a $40,000 signing bonus as part of the deal.

www.espn.com

Football journey: Gerard Warren

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- When the Patriots did not select a defensive lineman high in the 2010 NFL Draft, they quickly turned to veteran Gerard Warren, inking him to a one-year contract on the final day of the draft.

www.espn.com

Gerard Warren stepping up for Patriots

The former Florida star defensive tackle had two sacks for the New England Patriots last Sunday against the New York Jets.

www.gainesville.com

Gerard Warren’s road a merry reminder to Patriots fans

FOXBORO — For one of the few times in his career, Patriots defensive lineman Gerard Warren can celebrate Christmas without visions of packing crates dancing in his head. The big guy is in his 10th …

www.bostonherald.com

Report: DT Gerard Warren to re-sign with Patriots

Although his statistics have been rather mediocre the past two years, the Patriots still feel like defensive tackle Gerard Warren can be a productive member of their organization.

www.cbssports.com

Browns' first-round bust makes Super Bowl

INDIANAPOLIS -- How many thought the player known as "Big Money" would ever make the Big Show?It's taken 11 seasons and four teams but Browns first-round bust Gerard Warren did the unthinkable by reaching the Super Bowl.

www.espn.com

Cleveland Browns Draft Bust #6: Gerard Warren

Gerard Warren was a tough one to rank. There was no doubt in my mind that he belonged on the bust side of this list, but the doubt came in how close to the top of the list he should be ranked.

www.dawgsbynature.com

Patriots' Gerard Warren about to have his big moment

They called him “Big Money” in Cleveland, Ohio.​

At first, Gerard Warren liked it.​

Fortune and fame agreed with the meaty defensive tackle. He was a man about town. He became a reason the Browns made the playoffs.​

But then his image went bankrupt, and the team went bust. Isn’t life strange, if you’re Gerard Warren?​

A decade later, Warren is one of Bill Belichick’s model citizens. He is in his first Super Bowl as a member of the Patriots.​

 

[jmt57]

Maybe someone can explain this to me ... I had thought the Ger Schwedes was the first ever pick by the Boston Patriots, but see Ron Burton listed as the first all the time...

Gerhard Schwedes (HB/Syracuse) was selected by the Patriots in the Territorial Draft... The territorial draft occurred before the inaugural draft... Each teams pick (iirc there was one per team) was reached by consensus, so there was no real "drafting order" per se... So should these, as they called them, "Bonus Selections" count?

Is this just a technicality? Am I picking nits?

Thoughts/Opinions on the matter?

Yes, you are correct.

As I understand it, the first draft was strictly for each team to select a regional player. For the Patriots that player was Ger Schwedes.

After the territorial picks were made, a full draft was held - and the Pats selected Ron Burton.


So technically the first draft pick was definitely Schwedes. But to me that was more like a territorial allocation; each team only had a small pool of players they could pick from. Burton was the first 'you can select anybody' draft pick.

 

[Mike the Brit]

Thank you, @jmt57 !

I really got interested in Gerard Warren when I read his "Football journey" story from Mike Reiss:

​

Summing up his football journey: "The love of the game. No matter what, whether I was on a successful franchise like the New England Patriots, or just learning the game back in the seventh grade, it's the love of the game. No matter where it takes me, I feel blessed to be in the game. I'd like to continue playing it forever, until a team says, 'You didn't make the cut.' I'm one of those guys that's not ever going to retire."​

Football journey: Gerard Warren

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- When the Patriots did not select a defensive lineman high in the 2010 NFL Draft, they quickly turned to veteran Gerard Warren, inking him to a one-year contract on the final day of the draft.

www.espn.com

That was intriguing because it didn't sound like the sort of thing a guy drafted near the top of the first round but passed on as a "bust" would say. Perhaps he just wasn't as talented as people thought. But it turns out that there was more to it and Mary Kay Cabot's story filled it in.

Cleveland Browns 'flop' Gerard Warren remembered as player with heart by former coach

Cleveland fans remember the former Browns defensive lineman as a flop. But former coach Terry Robiskie remembers a player with an 'unbelievable' passion for the game.

www.cleveland.com

​

There's so much more to coaching than just conditioning and Xs and Os and, if I ever met Terry Robiskie, I would shake his hand and buy him a drink. I hope Mr Warren is enjoying life.

 

[italian pat patriot]

Today in Patriots History
Ron Burton​

In memory of Ron Burton, who would have been 85 today
Born July 25, 1936 in Springfield, Ohio
Patriot HB/PR/KR 1960-65; uniform #22
Pats first draft pick (#9 overall) in 1960, from Northwestern
Died in Boston at the age of 67 in 2003

There is a must-read story on Ron Burton's youth here:
Ron Burton Sr. - Ron Burton Training Village

Because of his parental situation, his grandmother kept him in the church to keep an eye on him. He was scorned and laughed at by other kids because of his extreme poverty and lack of athletic talent. Ron was predictably the last child to be chosen for any game or team by other kids. Constantly teased and belittled by his classmates, his middle school administration added insult to injury by not allowing young Ron to try out for the football team. Being of frail build and with no guidance in sports, his middle school actually feared for his well being and Ron was the only student to whom the school refused to give a football uniform.​

Aug 17, 2012:

The Boston Patriots' Ron Burton

#03 - Ron Burton Ron Burton came to the Boston Patriots in the first round of the 1960 AFL Draft. Burton was a highly touted back for Ara Parseghian's Northwestern teams in the late 1950s,

talesfromtheamericanfootballleague.com

Ron Burton came to the Boston Patriots in the first round of the 1960 AFL Draft. Burton was a highly touted back for Ara Parseghian’s Northwestern teams in the late 1950s, and was selected All-America in 1959.​

Burton immediately found a home for himself in the Patriots backfield, and running back punts and kickoffs. He played in 41-of-42 Patriots games from 19601-962, before a devastating back injury caused him to miss the entire 1963 season. During his five-year career, Ron Burton carried the ball 429 times for 1,36 yards (3.6 average) and nine touchdowns. He also caught 111 passes for 1,205 yards and eight scores.​

Ron Burton retired after the 1966 preseason, and immediately went to work for the John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Companies in Boston. He developed into a highly successful insurance salesman. Later he transferred to an executive position in public relations, and became one of the nation’s top motivational speakers.​

In 1999, at the age of 64, Burton was diagnosed with multiple myeloma (bone cancer). He lived another three years before passing away in 2003.​

Sept 15, 2003:

Ron Burton, The First Patriot Ever Drafted, Passes Away at 67

Ron Burton, The First Patriot Ever Drafted, Passes Away at 67 Sunday

www.patriots.com

As a high school senior, Ron Burton was considered the best football player in the state of Ohio after he earned All-American and All-Ohio honors as a senior. He received 47 scholarship offers that year and chose Northwestern University, where he earned All-American honors during his junior and senior seasons. On Nov. 22, 1959, the American Football League held their inaugural draft and the Boston Patriots selected Burton with their first pick.​

In six seasons with the Patriots he appeared in 69 games and recorded 4,249 all-purpose yards while scoring 18 touchdowns. In 1962, he appeared in every game and recorded career highs with 548 yards and two touchdowns on 134 carries (4.1 avg.). He also added 40 receptions for 461 yards and 4 touchdowns.​

Sept 14, 2003:

Ron Burton passes away

The New England Patriots learned this morning of the passing of Ron Burton, the first player drafted in franchise history. He was 67 years old.

www.patriots.com

Throughout his playing career, Burton was a leader both on the field and in the community. Following his career, Burton remained in New England, where he raised his family and continued his commitment to philanthropy. In 1985, Ron and his family bought 305 acres of land in Hubbardston, Mass. and built the facilities to host the Ron Burton Training Village, which annually provides a month-long “training camp” atmosphere for inner-city and underprivileged children to help them build self-esteem, self-reliance, respect for others and racial harmony through athletic and educational activities. Thousands of children from throughout New England have attended the camp, which has hosted attendees from as far away as Florida and California.​

This past summer, the New England Patriots created a community service award and named it after Ron Burton. The award will be presented annually to the player who, like Burton, makes the greatest impact in the New England community.​

Ron Burton Sr. built a ‘utopia’ of love and faith, leaving a legacy greater than football

Ron Burton Sr., the Patriots' first draft pick in 1960, built a legacy bigger than football through the Ron Burton Training Village, and his family's dedication has ensured it lives on.

www.patriots.com

Ron Burton Sr. - Ron Burton Training Village

Ron Burton Sr. was an extremely impoverished young boy growing up in Springfield, Ohio who essentially had no parents. His mother passed while he was in middle school and his father became very ill. Ron was moved out of that home to be cared for by other family members. Thankfully, his...

www.ronburtontrainingvillage.org

Nothing into Something: The Burton Family Story

Whether it’s been in 1957 or 2020, on the field or inside Welsh-Ryan Arena, the Burtons have brought great things through NU, both in their sports and outside of them.

www.insidenu.com

Changing lives at the Ron Burton Training Village - Fifty Plus Advocate Changing lives at the Ron Burton Training Village

By Jane Keller Gordon, Assistant Editor Hubbardston - In 1960, for the first time up until that point, the New England Patriots scored a first-round draft Hubbardston - In 1960, for the first time up until that point, the New England Patriots scored a first-round draft choice.

www.fiftyplusadvocate.com

MIAA/Ron Burton Community Service Award

Great find and very detailed too...
As usual an awesome job jmt57

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Cre'von LeBlanc​

Happy 27th birthday to Cre'von 'Strap' LeBlanc
Born July 25, 1994 in West Palm Beach, FL
Patriot CB, 2016 offseason
Signed as an undrafted rookie on May 6, 2016, from Florida Atlantic

New England CB Cre'von LeBlanc's One-Handed INT

​

Cre'von LeBlanc performed very well during the 2016 offseason, and came very close to making the Pats roster to the start the season. He was waived as part of final roster cuts though, and was claimed by the Bears before the Pats had an opportunity to sign him to the practice squad. LeBlanc has been slowed down by injuries the last two seasons, appearing in just 13 games during that time. He has played in 52 games for Chicago, Detroit and Philadelphia from 2016-2020; LeBlanc signed with Miami two days ago.

Sept 3, 2016:

Patriots reach the 53-man roster limit

The Patriots announced today that they have released 20 players to reach the NFL-mandatory 53-man limit.

www.patriots.com

Sept 5, 2016:

Why Bears claimed Cre'Von LeBlanc, and why Patriots kept Jonathan Jones

The Patriots had a tough choice to make at cornerback when finalizing their initial 53-man roster, settling on Jonathan Jones.

www.espn.com

The New England Patriots lost promising undrafted cornerback Cre'Von LeBlanc on waivers Sunday, with the Chicago Bears claiming him. The Bears got a close look at LeBlanc during three days of joint practices in mid-August and then a preseason game.​

"He’s a guy that our college scouts liked coming out in the process and he’s a guy obviously in the preseason that just jumped out," Bears GM Ryan Pace said Monday. "He’s a bit undersized (5-9, 194), but he’s extremely sudden, he’s very sticky in mirroring routes and he’s got excellent ball skills. He just has a knack for going and getting the ball. And that’s been an emphasis on our defense right now. Something that we want to improve on is ball skills and he definitely has that and that’s why he’s here."​

LeBlanc's ball skills were evident in the Patriots' preseason opener when he had a one-handed interception against the Saints in a play that Bill Belichick called "special."​

When the Patriots formed their initial 53-man roster, undrafted cornerback Jonathan Jones got the nod over LeBlanc.​

May 31, 2017:

Could Cre'Von Leblanc be the one that got away from Patriots?

Cre’Von LeBlanc shattered expectations in 2016. He performed better than any NFL team — including the New England Patriots — thought he could. Before he joined the Chicago Bears, …

patriotswire.usatoday.com

The Bears defensive back spent the season as the No. 2 cornerback after going undrafted out of Florida Atlantic. LeBlanc took the second-most snaps among Bears’ cornerbacks, and finished with 44 tackles, two interceptions in 13 games. In Week 14 with the Bears trailing 14-10, LeBlanc returned one of his interceptions for a touchdown, which gave Chicago the lead in the fourth quarter. Though, they eventually lost.​

LeBlanc also finished with the fifth highest playmaker index in 2016, according to Pro Football Focus. He was ranked behind Patriots cornerbacks Stephon Gilmore (No. 1) and Malcolm Butler (No. 4). LeBlanc excelled when compared to his rookie peers, too. According to PFF, he had the second-best passer rating against — just behind former No. 5 overall pick Jalen Ramsey.​

LeBlanc appeared in only four games for the Eagles in 2019 due to a foot injury that landed him on injured reserve. Last year he was in on about 40% of the defensive snaps for Philly over the first nine games before an ankle injury again resulted in the IR list.

Cre’Von LeBlanc won’t be back with the Eagles

Strapless.

www.bleedinggreennation.com

Miami Dolphins sign defensive back Cre'Von LeBlanc

Miami Dolphins sign defensive back Cre’Von LeBlanc

dolphinswire.usatoday.com

The Lowdown on LeBlanc

Six-year NFL veteran Cre'Von LeBlanc will bring additional depth to the Dolphins secondary

www.si.com

 

[Mike the Brit]

Ah, Cre'Von LeBlanc. How I wish they had kept him. Perhaps he might have been a better bet than J**d*n R**h**ds ...

 

[Pape]

Today in Patriots History
Cre'von LeBlanc​

Happy 27th birthday to Cre'von 'Strap' LeBlanc
Born July 25, 1994 in West Palm Beach, FL
Patriot CB, 2016 offseason
Signed as an undrafted rookie on May 6, 2016, from Florida Atlantic

New England CB Cre'von LeBlanc's One-Handed INT

​

Cre'von LeBlanc performed very well during the 2016 offseason, and came very close to making the Pats roster to the start the season. He was waived as part of final roster cuts though, and was claimed by the Bears before the Pats had an opportunity to sign him to the practice squad. LeBlanc has been slowed down by injuries the last two seasons, appearing in just 13 games during that time. He has played in 52 games for Chicago, Detroit and Philadelphia from 2016-2020; LeBlanc signed with Miami two days ago.

Sept 3, 2016:

Patriots reach the 53-man roster limit

The Patriots announced today that they have released 20 players to reach the NFL-mandatory 53-man limit.

www.patriots.com

Sept 5, 2016:

Why Bears claimed Cre'Von LeBlanc, and why Patriots kept Jonathan Jones

The Patriots had a tough choice to make at cornerback when finalizing their initial 53-man roster, settling on Jonathan Jones.

www.espn.com

The New England Patriots lost promising undrafted cornerback Cre'Von LeBlanc on waivers Sunday, with the Chicago Bears claiming him. The Bears got a close look at LeBlanc during three days of joint practices in mid-August and then a preseason game.​

"He’s a guy that our college scouts liked coming out in the process and he’s a guy obviously in the preseason that just jumped out," Bears GM Ryan Pace said Monday. "He’s a bit undersized (5-9, 194), but he’s extremely sudden, he’s very sticky in mirroring routes and he’s got excellent ball skills. He just has a knack for going and getting the ball. And that’s been an emphasis on our defense right now. Something that we want to improve on is ball skills and he definitely has that and that’s why he’s here."​

LeBlanc's ball skills were evident in the Patriots' preseason opener when he had a one-handed interception against the Saints in a play that Bill Belichick called "special."​

When the Patriots formed their initial 53-man roster, undrafted cornerback Jonathan Jones got the nod over LeBlanc.​

May 31, 2017:

Could Cre'Von Leblanc be the one that got away from Patriots?

Cre’Von LeBlanc shattered expectations in 2016. He performed better than any NFL team — including the New England Patriots — thought he could. Before he joined the Chicago Bears, …

patriotswire.usatoday.com

The Bears defensive back spent the season as the No. 2 cornerback after going undrafted out of Florida Atlantic. LeBlanc took the second-most snaps among Bears’ cornerbacks, and finished with 44 tackles, two interceptions in 13 games. In Week 14 with the Bears trailing 14-10, LeBlanc returned one of his interceptions for a touchdown, which gave Chicago the lead in the fourth quarter. Though, they eventually lost.​

LeBlanc also finished with the fifth highest playmaker index in 2016, according to Pro Football Focus. He was ranked behind Patriots cornerbacks Stephon Gilmore (No. 1) and Malcolm Butler (No. 4). LeBlanc excelled when compared to his rookie peers, too. According to PFF, he had the second-best passer rating against — just behind former No. 5 overall pick Jalen Ramsey.​

LeBlanc appeared in only four games for the Eagles in 2019 due to a foot injury that landed him on injured reserve. Last year he was in on about 40% of the defensive snaps for Philly over the first nine games before an ankle injury again resulted in the IR list.

Cre’Von LeBlanc won’t be back with the Eagles

Strapless.

www.bleedinggreennation.com

Miami Dolphins sign defensive back Cre'Von LeBlanc

Miami Dolphins sign defensive back Cre’Von LeBlanc

dolphinswire.usatoday.com

The Lowdown on LeBlanc

Six-year NFL veteran Cre'Von LeBlanc will bring additional depth to the Dolphins secondary

www.si.com

lol... I gotta say.. for the very first time I gotta say "Who?"

thanks for the history lesson today

 

[Mike the Brit]

lol... I gotta say.. for the very first time I gotta say "Who?"

thanks for the history lesson today

This guy:

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Replaced by Tim Tebow​

Happy 29th birthday to Kevin Snyder
Born July 25, 1992 in Mechanicsburg, PA
Patriot LB, 2015-2016; uniform #45
Signed to the practice squad on December 16, 2015

The Rutgers alum was signed to the Pats practice squad two days after their week 14 27-6 victory at Houston. He was promoted to the 53-man roster during the playoffs after Jerod Mayo suffered a shoulder injury in the 27-20 victory over the Chiefs. Snyder was inactive as a healthy scratch for the 20-18 AFCCG loss at Denver. He was waived with an injury settlement at the end of the 2016 training camp. Snyder then spent time on the practice squads for Denver and Arizona; his only NFL playing time was limited to two games with the Broncos in 2017.

2017 Broncos roster: Linebacker Kevin Snyder

After spending some time in 2016 on the Denver Broncos practice squad, linebacker Kevin Snyder hopes to stick around in 2017.

www.milehighreport.com

Broncos sign LB Joseph Jones, waive Kevin Snyder

The Broncos have a new linebacker.

www.denverbroncos.com

Happy 34th birthday to Mike Kafka
Born July 25, 1987 in Chicago
Patriot QB, 2013 offseason
Signed to a future contract on January 4, 2013

Kafka was signed by the Pats immediately after their 2012 season ended, after having last been with a team when he was released by the Eagles at the end of August. He was the third string QB behind Tom Brady and Ryan Mallett throughout OTAs before being waived on June 10 - and is the answer to the trivia question, "Who did the Patriots release in order to make a roster vacancy for Tim Tebow?"

Originally a 2010 fourth round pick out of Northwestern by the Eagles, at various points Kafka was with the Eagles, Patriots, Jaguars, Bucs, Vikings, Titans and Bengals - either in offseason training camps or on a practice squad. His NFL stat line is limited to four games with Philly in 2011 when he went a very respectable 11-for-16 - but also threw two picks.

Mike Kafka is now in his his fifth season with the Kansas City Chiefs, and second as the quarterbacks coach/passing game coordinator.

Official Website of the Kansas City Chiefs | Chiefs.com

Mike Kafka enters his fifth season with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2021 and second as the quarterbacks coach/passing game coordinator.

www.chiefs.com

Other players born on this date with New England connections:

Corey Graham, 36 (7/25/85)
University of New Hampshire
12-year veteran CB won super bowl rings with Ravens and the Eagles.

Kenny Hill, 63 (7/25/58)
Yale
Hill also owns two rings; for him it was as a safety with Giants in the 80s.

Joe Zapustas (1907-2001)
PFR says he was born in Boston; Find A Grave says it was Brockton; and Wikipedia says he is from Russia.
Joseph John 'Joe' Zapustas | Find A Grave

Professional Football and Baseball Player. After graduating from Fordham University in 1933, he played two games as an outfielder for the Philadelphia Athletics in the American League before they traded him to Toledo in the American Association.​

In that same year, he was an end for the New York Giants in the National Football League in two games. From 1936 to 1938 he played for the Boston Shamrocks in the American Football League. In 1938, he was an owner/coach on the Shamrocks.​

He spent nearly 40 years as athletic director at Randolph High School and before that served 10 years as a teacher and a coach. In 1981 he was inducted into the Massachusetts Football Coaches Hall of Fame, and in 1990 he was inducted into the Stetson / Randolph High School Hall of Fame. The town of Randolph named its ice skating rink -- the Joseph J. Zapustas Arena -- in his honor.​

Mr. Zapustas also served many years as a boxing referee, officiating bouts featuring legends such as Rocky Marciano, Joe Louis and Sugar Ray Robinson.​

Richard Hardy (1904-1989)
Boston College
Played tackle for the Racine Tornadoes back in the 1920s.


Eddie Tryon (1900-1982)
Born and raised in Medford; Medford High School
Eddie is another old timer from the early days of pro football; he was a running back in the twenties.

 

[jmt57]

lol... I gotta say.. for the very first time I gotta say "Who?"

thanks for the history lesson today

Considering how very many players come and go over the course of a full year, year after year, it is impossible to remember all of them. Cre'von LeBlanc was one of those hundreds who was in the organization for a short time, but never on a Patriots regular season or postseason roster.

 

[Pape]

Considering how very many players come and go over the course of a full year, year after year, it is impossible to remember all of them. Cre'von LeBlanc was one of those hundreds who was in the organization for a short time, but never on a Patriots regular season or postseason roster.

I get that there are a ton of players past and present... but at the same time, I pour thru photos of the New England Patriots... not just the pics, but look at each individual Patriot i can see a jersey number on ... Getty, UPI, AP, Alamy, Ebay, Amazon, The Robert L Smith collection, Videos of old games on youtube, websites galore etc all looking for players wearing different jersey numbers... all because i started that Pi thingy... lol - I checked so far i have 2,243 images in total... there are absolutely doubles, triples or more of individual players ... but still...

In trying to ID some of these guys, I look thru game logs, rosters, transactions, The old large version of these now daily threads etc so i can name them... hell I have even asked you to help me a few times iirc... so while I may not know a player, i usually can remember a name in passing... but this one, this one completely stumped me...

So I now have a pic of Cre'von in my stash ... #35 is T8th in repeating number in the Pi graphic... (yes im still working on it lol... but for my own self now) ... so really, its odd to me that I didn't recognize it, and again, thanks!

(btw, i finally got the Brian Wagner pic i was looking for!!!)

 

[jmt57]

So I now have a pic of Cre'von in my stash ... #35 is T8th in repeating number in the Pi graphic... (yes im still working on it lol... but for my own self now) ... so really, its odd to me that I didn't recognize it, and again, thanks!

(btw, i finally got the Brian Wagner pic i was looking for!!!)

LOL, how long has it been that you were looking for a picture of Wagner? Has to be at least two years, probably longer.

Where did you find it?

 

[Pape]

LOL, how long has it been that you were looking for a picture of Wagner? Has to be at least two years, probably longer.

Where did you find it?

Foreign country Getty images. Couldn't believe it. In his 9 jersey. Got some not great screen caps of him wearing 8 as well now too gotta love the uploads on you tube..

My new white whale is bob scarpitto

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Bret Bielema​

July 25, 2018:

Former Razorbacks coach Bret Bielema hired to consult for New England | Arkansas Democrat Gazette

Bret Bielema has a new job in the NFL eight months after being fired as the Arkansas Razorbacks' head football coach.

www.arkansasonline.com

Patriots hire former Badgers coach Bret Bielema as consultant

Bielema was fired by Arkansas after posting a 29-34 record in five seasons.

madison.com

The Patriots hire Bret Bielema as a consultant to the head coach. Bielema had been a college football position coach or defensive coordinator from 1994 to 2005, then head coach at the University of Wisconsin from 2006 to 2012. In each of his final three years in Madison the Badgers represented the Big Ten in the Rose Bowl. He then moved to the SEC for five seasons as head coach for the Razorbacks; while there he was the highest paid state employee in Arkansas.

Bielema was with the Pats for two seasons, the first as a consultant and then as the defensive line coach in 2019. Last December he was hired to be the successor to Lovie Smith as head coach for the University of Illinois.

The Bielema-Patriots story does not end there though.

May 13, 2019:

Bret Bielema Explains Path From Arkansas To Patriots' D-Line Coach - NESN.com

FOXBORO, Mass. — It was easy to chuckle at the ambiguous, Dwight Schrute-esque title Bret Bielema held in his first year on the New England Patriots’ coaching staff. But his work in that role was enough to earn him a promotion for 2019. After serving as “consultant to the head coach” in 2018...

nesn.com

Nov 5, 2020:

Bill Belichick reportedly subpoenaed in Bret Bielema-Arkansas lawsuit

Bill Belichick has reportedly been subpoenaed in a lawsuit involving former Patriots consultant Bret Bielema and The Razorback Foundation. The Athletic’s Daniel Kaplan wrote that the Foundation alleges Belichick devised […]

www.boston.com

Bill Belichick Has Been Subpoenaed In a Wild Conspiracy Lawsuit Involving Former Patriots Assistant Bret Bielema

New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick has been subpoenaed in an alleged conspiracy lawsuit involving former Pats assistant Bret Bielema.

www.sportscasting.com

April 15, 2021:

Getting “Krafty”: A look at The New England Patriots involvement in Bret Bielema’s contractual dispute – Journal of High Technology Law

Jan 22, 2021:

Patriots Blast Razorback Foundation as Bielema Case Heats Up

Illinois coach Bret Bielema's litigation with the Razorback Foundation is drawing in the New England Patriots and Bill Belichick.

www.sportico.com

Jan 23, 2021:

Patriots find themselves caught in litigation between Bret Bielema, Razorback Foundation

Coaches who get fired with years remaining on guaranteed contracts have two options: Don't work and get paid 100 cents on the dollar by the former employer or take a job and see the amount owed from the former employer reduced by the money earned at a new job.

profootballtalk.nbcsports.com

Feb 24, 2021:

Patriots Push Back to Conceal Trade Secrets in Bielema Arkansas Litigation

Bill Belichick and Robert Kraft exchanged emails about Bret Bielema that are now subject to a request by Patriots to keep them confidential.

www.sportico.com

March 1, 2021:

How Bret Bielema’s lawsuit in Arkansas could reveal info the Patriots don’t want out - The Boston Globe

Bielema was due a massive buyout after being fired by Arkansas, but the group responsible for paying it stopped after he joined the Patriots staff. A suit — and countersuit — could put private Patriots emails into the public record.

www.bostonglobe.com

March 8, 2021:

Belichick Overpaid Bielema to Avoid Arkansas Salary Fight, Filing Says

A new court filing contends New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick believed he was overpaying Bret Bielema, not underpaying him.

www.sportico.com

 

[jmt57]

Foreign country Getty images. Couldn't believe it. In his 9 jersey. Got some not great screen caps of him wearing 8 as well now too gotta love the uploads on you tube..

My new white whale is bob scarpitto

Huh, I just assumed their foreign website images of NFL players would have only been duplicates of those on their domestic .com website. Never would have guessed there would be more on foreign sites. I would have understood if we were talking about soccer or foreign athletes, etc., but not for NFL players.

Go figure.

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
More July 25 Trivia​

July 25, 2020:

Patriots Release DB Lenzy Pipkins

The New England Patriots announced that they have released DB Lenzy Pipkins.

www.patriots.com

July 25, 2015:

Patriots sign punter Ryan Allen to a three-year extension

In a span of 10 days, the Patriots have locked up their core group of special teamers for the foreseeable future. The team gave kicker Stephen Gostkowski a four-year deal worth $17.2 million on July …

www.providencejournal.com

Armed with new deal, Patriots punter Ryan Allen ready to ‘make some good stuff happen’

The Patriots have all their specialists locked up for the foreseeable future, with Ryan Allen the latest, as the punter agreed to a three-year extension late last week.Allen, who is entering his th…

www.bostonherald.com

July 25, 2013:
I recall Stankiewitch as being a fan favorite of many on this forum at the time.

Patriots re-sign OL Tyronne Green; Release OL Matt Stankiewitch

The New England Patriots announced the re-signing of veteran free agent OL Tyronne Green. In addition, the Patriots released rookie OL Matt Stankiewitch.

www.patriots.com

Patriots release offensive lineman Matt Stankiewitch, sign Tyronne Green

The Patriots did some shuffling on the back end of their offensive line prior to the team's first practice at training camp, releasing one offensive lineman and signing another.

www.boston.com

July 25, 2012:

Patriots Release Joseph Addai

On the eve of training camp, at least one question has been answered in regard to how the Patriots' roster will shape out. Joseph Addai will not be a part of it.

boston.cbslocal.com

Patriots release Joseph Addai

Let the cuts begin. Yes, it’s early. Patriots training camp hasn’t even started yet. Still, that doesn’t mean guys can’t lose their jobs, a fact of which Joseph Addai is well aware right now. The Patriots announced on Wednesday that Addai has been released. It’s a bit of a puzzling move because...

www.nbcsports.com

Report: Addai 'quit' during Pats' conditioning test - National Football Post

Running back released for failing physical on Wednesday.

www.nationalfootballpost.com

Joseph Addai reportedly 'quit' during Patriots' conditioning test

Joseph Addai's reputation is taking a major hit after he reportedly "quit" on a Patriots conditioning test. The former Colts running back was signed by

larrybrownsports.com

 

[Pape]

Huh, I just assumed their foreign website images of NFL players would have only been duplicates of those on their domestic .com website. Never would have guessed there would be more on foreign sites. I would have understood if we were talking about soccer or foreign athletes, etc., but not for NFL players.

Go figure.

it could just be the photo was newly uploaded or has its rights changed...