Today In Patriots History June 21: Duane Thomas

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
"If the Super Bowl is the Ultimate Game,
how come they're playing it again next year?"​

In memory of Duane Thomas, who would have turned 78 today
Born June 21, 1947 in Dallas
Died August 4, 2024 in Sedona, Arizona at the age of 77
Patriot running back, 1971 offseason
Acquired in a trade with Dallas on July 31, 1971
Pats résumé: another example of the nightmare from the Clive Rush-John Mazur era


As a rookie from West Texas A&M in 1970, Duane Thomas took over for Calvin Hill at running back for the Dallas Cowboys and was named Rookie of the Year, leading the league with an average of 5.3 yards per carry. He then became the first rookie to ever rush for 100 yards in consecutive playoff games, gaining 278 yards on the ground against the Lions and 49ers. The following year Thomas refused to report to training camp, holding out to have his contract renegotiated. (Dallas was paying him about $20,000 annually at the time.) On July 31 Dallas traded Thomas, Halvor Hagen and Honor Jackson to the Patriots in exchange for Carl Garrett and the Pats 1972 first round draft pick.

"Before the first Super Bowl, I asked him how it felt to be playing as a rookie in the ultimate game. He said, `If this is the ultimate game, how come they play it every year?' "​

At first Thomas could not be found to be notified of the trade. Then on the second day of practice he refused to get in to a 3-point stance, later explaining

"I was in a two-point stance because it gives a better view of a handoff. I was behind Jim Nance, and I couldn't see. His ass was the size of a volleyball court."​

Head coach John Mazur ordered him off the field, then claimed Thomas didn't pass his physical. A few days later Pete Rozelle stepped into the chaos and voided the trade, sending Thomas and Garrett back to their former teams.



Can you imagine something like that happening today? It would break the interent.


Despite holding out for three games, Thomas still proceeded to lead the NFL with 13 total touchdowns and 11 rushing touchdowns in 1971. He scored a TD in each of Dallas' three playoff games and rushed for 95 yards on 19 carries in the 24-3 super bowl victory over Miami.

Thomas was overwhelmingly voted the MVP in that Super Bowl VI win over Miami. But after having boycotted the media all season long due to what he felt was one-sided biased and erroneous reporting on his contract dispute, the back room decision was made to give the award to Roger Staubach instead, in order to avoid another potentially awkward interview for the sports media - despite Staubach only throwing 12 complete passes for 119 yards on the day. By contrast Duane Thomas averaged five yards per carry, running for 95 yards on 19 rushes and a touchdown, plus catching three passes against Miami's vaunted "No-Name Defense'.


Duane Thomas played in more postseason games (6) than the number of his seasons in his NFL career (4) - despite leading the league in yards per carry as a rookie (5.3), and leading the NFL in rushing touchdowns (11) and total touchdowns (13) the following year. He was traded to San Diego in 1972, suspended for failing to report, and ended up not playing the entire season. A year later Thomas was traded to Washington but he didn't do much in two seasons there, then was released in 1975 after once again failing to report after seeking an increase in pay. He signed with the WFL but the new league collapsed a few months later. Despite some attempted comebacks, Thomas never played another down in the NFL after that.


Below is an excellent column on Duane Thomas:

The “Quiet, Loving” Duane Thomas Passes - Observer Group Newspapers of Southern California, inc.

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ognsc.com

Patriots Acquire Thomas, Cowboy Holdout (Published 1971)

www.nytimes.com

Duane Thomas, Running Back

In the 25 years since he retired from the NFL, former running back Duane Thomas has tried acting, various jobs in sales and hosting a sports talk-radio

www.si.com

Boston.com / Sports / A (silent) voice of experience

The infamous Duane Thomas interviewed | PRO FOOTBALL DALY

Found on YouTube: Duane Thomas' classic interview with CBS's Tom Brookshier after Super Bowl VI.

profootballdaly.com

Client Challenge

Client Challenge

The Lonely Blues of Duane Thomas

Why the best runner in pro football ran right out of the game.

www.texasmonthly.com

Duane Thomas: His own man

Even as free spirit, Cowboys RB still relishes the concept of team Some running backs...

www.houstonchronicle.com

Beyond Taking a Knee: Duane Thomas, Where are You When We Need You?

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has figured out a way to fake solidarity with protesting NFL players, while kowtowing to President Trump and fans who

www.counterpunch.org

Former Super Bowl champ takes stock of his stands - Sedona Red Rock News

Before the controversy over Colin Kaepernick, Duane Thomas always let the National Football League know where he stood. Tuesday, Sept. 20, it was at John Ordean Stadium, with a steady rain dripping off the hat of the first starting running back to win a Super Bowl with the Dallas Cowboys. “I...

www.redrocknews.com

​

Remembering Duane Thomas: "The Greatest 'What If' I've Ever Seen"

Duane Thomas, part of Cowboys' first Super Bowl win, dies at 77

Duane Thomas, a running back for the Dallas Cowboys when they finally broke through and won a Super Bowl to cap the 1971 season, has died. He was 77.

www.espn.com

Obituary for Duane Julius Thomas | Bueler Funeral Home

Celebrate the life of Duane Thomas and join others in sharing memories, stories, and condolences.

www.buelerfuneralhome.com

Duane Thomas Obituary (1947 - 2024) - Legacy Remembers

View Duane Thomas's obituary, send flowers and sign the guestbook.

www.legacy.com

Duane Thomas Career Game Log | Pro-Football-Reference.com

Get Duane Thomas Career game log for regular season and playoff games on Pro-football-reference.com.

www.pro-football-reference.com

Pro Football Archives -- Duane Thomas Player Profile

Pro Football Archives -- Duane Thomas Transactions

Duane Thomas - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
The Zoologist​

Happy 55th birthday to Brandon Moore
Born June 21, 1970 in Ardmore, Pennsylvania
Patriot offensive tackle, 1993-1995; uniform #70
Signed as a rookie free agent on July 14, 1993
Pats résumé: three seasons, 26 games


Not to be confused with the more well known, infamous ButtFumble star namesake - or the linebacker of the same name with the Pats for a short while in 2002 - this Brandon Moore played in 26 games for the Pats, including all 16 in 1993. The 6'8, 315 pound lineman went to Duke when the Blue Devils had a new coach by the name of Steve Spurrier, and Moore was signed as a rookie free agent after Miami released him. Moore played mostly on special teams, and was a backup to Bruce Armstrong.

Not just all brawn, Brandon Moore later went on to earn his PhD and become a professor.

Former NFL lineman tackles research, teaching at Tech

www.latech.edu

From 1993-’95, Moore played for the NFL’s Patriots, mostly behind All-Pro tackle Bruce Armstrong. And when the Patriots went to Super Bowl XXXI the next season and began their current streak as one of the league’s modern elite, Moore was back in school, this time earning a Bachelor of Science in life sciences at Arizona State.​

After that he was back with Spurrier, in a sense, as Spurrier coached the Florida Gators and Moore earned his Ph. D. in zoology at the Gainesville university. After a decade there, Moore spent a year as a postdoctoral fellow at Tulane in New Orleans before coming to Tech in February of 2011 with his wife, Dr. Thea Edwards, and their two children, Christopher, 5, and Nicholas, 2.​

Brandon C. Moore, PhD

Associate Teaching Professor TRAINING CONTACT Email: [email protected] TEACHING RESEARCH INTERESTS Dr. Moore mentors MU Veterinary Research Scholars Program Students in crocodilian reproductive anatomy projects, particularly studying copulatory functionality and associated male and female...

cvm.missouri.edu

​

Brandon is one of eleven playerss with the surname Moore to have ever taken the field during a regular season game for the Pats.

Brandon Moore Career Game Log | Pro-Football-Reference.com

Get Brandon Moore Career game log for regular season and playoff games on Pro-football-reference.com.

www.pro-football-reference.com

Pro Football Archives -- Brandon Moore Player Profile

Pro Football Archives -- Brandon Moore Transactions

Brandon Moore (offensive tackle) - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Another Punter​

Happy 74th birthday to Bruce Barnes
Born June 21, 1951 in Coshocton, Ohio; hometown Sanger, California
Patriot punter, 1973-1974; uniform #3
Pats 12th round (290th overall) selection of the 1973 draft, from UCLA
Pats résumé: two seasons, 23 games; 37.4 yard average on 100 punts


Bruce Barnes was the career punting leader at UCLA, and he is one of 17 players to have punted the ball at least 100 times for the Patriots, averaging 38.8 yards per kick. In his second year he was limited to nine games due to a strained back muscle, and was replaced by Mike Patrick in '75.

His son Ricky Barnes golfs on the PGA tour; he won the 2002 US Amateur and finished second in the 2009 US Open. Although he never won a PGA tour event, the younger Barnes did collect $9 million in winnings over his career.

All 'grown up,' Barnes shows off his game at U.S. Open - USATODAY.com

The guy who once punted for the New England Patriots had just watched his son set a scoring record for the U.S. Open. Boy, this must have really reminded him of the glory days in the NFL. Except, Bruce Barnes said, for him there weren't that many...

usatoday30.usatoday.com

The guy who once punted for the New England Patriots had just watched his son set a scoring record for the U.S. Open. Boy, this must have really reminded him of the glory days in the NFL.​

Except, Bruce Barnes said, for him there weren't that many glory days.​

He did play two seasons with the Patriots, right?​

"Back when they were no good. That's why they drafted me."​

But then, the Patriots must have needed a punter in 1973. A 3-11 team's offense usually does.​

"Not me, for long."​

He got a game ball once, but he'd really rather talk about his son's golf.​

Bruce had a nice football career at UCLA, a short one with the Patriots. But his two sons fell in love with golf. At Bethpage this week, 28-year-old Ricky is playing, 31-year-old Andy is the caddie. Bruce watches, and there must be moments when he remembers it was easier punting out of the end zone against the Dolphins.​

"I probably didn't get an hour's sleep last night," he said.​

1974 Patriots Media Guide

Bruce Barnes Career Game Log | Pro-Football-Reference.com

Get Bruce Barnes Career game log for regular season and playoff games on Pro-football-reference.com.

www.pro-football-reference.com

Pro Football Archives -- Bruce Barnes Player Profile

Pro Football Archives -- Bruce Barnes Transactions

Bruce Barnes (American football) - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Pape]

Today in Patriots History
The Zoologist​

Happy 55th birthday to Brandon Moore

Today in Patriots History
Another Punter​

Happy 74th birthday to Bruce Barnes

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
missed a ring by one year​

Happy 51st birthday to Rob Kelly
Born June 21, 1974 in Mt Vernon, Ohio; hometown Newark, Ohio
Patriot safety, 2002; uniform #37
Signed as a veteran free agent on March 19, 2002
Pats résumé: one season on injured reserve


Rob Kelly was a second round draft pick by New Orleans in 2002, from Ohio State. He played in sixty games over four seasons for the Saints, with four interceptions. On Nov 29, 1998 Dan Marino was about to become first player to throw 400 touchdown passes. That celebration had to wait a bit thanks to Rob Kelly intercepting Marino in the first half for a 79-yard pick-six.


Kelly was placed on injured reserve just ahead of final roster cuts on August 27, 2002 and never played football again.


July 30, 2000:
In an odd coincidence, three former of future Patriots suffer serious injuries in the same game while with New Orleans

Late touchdown drive propels Jets over Saints

Vaughn Sanders' 1-yard run with 1:17 left capped a 72-yard touchdown drive led by fellow rookie Chad Pennington as the New York Jets overcame four turnovers to beat New Orleans 24-20 in a preseason opener Saturday night.

www.deseret.com

The Saints were hit with three possibly season-ending injuries. Starting tight end Cam Cleeland tore his left Achilles' tendon, starting free safety Rob Kelly broke his right leg and cornerback Steve Israel broke his left leg.​

March 19, 2002:
Pats sign FA Rob Kelly -- Patriots.com
The New England Patriots announced the signing of veteran free agent safety Rob Kelly today.

Kelly, 27, joins the Patriots after four seasons with the New Orleans Saints (1997-00). He played in 60 games, including 12 starts, and recorded 90 defensive tackles (63 solos) and 37 special teams stops during his career. He also added four interceptions for 125 yards, including one that was returned 79 yards for a touchdown. In 2000, he finished second on the Saints with 15 special teams tackles in 12 games.​

Aug 28, 2002:

Patriots release three, put two on reserve lists

FOXBORO -- The New England Patriots reduced their roster to 68 yesterday by releasing three players and placing two on reserve lists. Wide receiver Jimmy Farris, long-snapper Ryan Benjamin and vete…

www.southcoasttoday.com

The New England Patriots reduced their roster to 68 yesterday by releasing three players and placing two on reserve lists.​

Wide receiver Jimmy Farris, long-snapper Ryan Benjamin and veteran linebacker O.J. Brigance were released.​

Safety Rob Kelly was placed on the injured reserve list with a nerve injury in his right arm.​

Running back Antwoine Womack, the team's seventh-round draft pick this year, was placed on the reserve-non football injury list to continue his recovery from reconstructive knee surgery performed before he joined the Patriots.​

NFL teams had to cut to the 65-man limit by 4 p.m. EDT yesterday. The Patriots have exemptions for center Patrick Downey, defensive end Radell Lockhart and linebacker Maugaula Tuitele, all of whom played for NFL Europe teams this spring.​

Below is a rather sobering article on the reality of what football does to a person's body and brain.
Feb 9, 2018:

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/02/opinion/sunday/nfl-cte-brain-damage.html

Newark Catholic's Rob Kelly: Game of football is too violent to play

In an exclusive interview, Rob Kelly said there is no protection that can keep players safe from brain injuries like the one he has suffered.

www.newarkadvocate.com

"We all know now that it’s not the concussions, it’s not always the big hits. It’s just the game in general is too violent," Rob Kelly said. "There’s no more protection that you can add that’s going to protect the players."​

Emily Kelly's column explained Rob Kelly suffers from mood swings and battles depression. At certain low points, he would stop eating for days. He weighed 157 in 2016. He once went two months rarely speaking.​

The Kellys said Rob Kelly is undergoing treatment and has improved. He has gained weight back, but it takes a great deal of energy for them to do even every day tasks, Emily Kelly said, such as picking up their daughter from school.​

Rob Kelly said throughout the day he has to monitor himself to keep his emotions in check, and it's exhausting.​

"I’m making little steps to deal with this," he said. "I know to most people this sounds crazy, like no big deal, but it’s a huge deal."​

Rob Kelly said in his lowest moments, he would question his purpose in life.​

"Even with an amazing family … things are going well other than the fact in my head I couldn’t piece that together and have one good day," he said.​

Rob Kelly led Newark Catholic to the Division V state football title in 1991. He played in the playoffs despite a serious knee injury and ran for 154 yards and four touchdowns in a 34-13 victory against Bluffton in the state final.​

Rob Kelly then became a starting safety for Ohio State, helping the Buckeyes to the Big Ten championship and a Rose Bowl victory his senior season. He played four seasons for the New Orleans Saints and one with the New England Patriots before a nerve injury ended his career.​

But after a playing career that lasted almost two decades, Rob Kelly said he no longer watches the sport.​

Rob Kelly pick for 79 yard TD on Dan Marino -1999
29-second highlight play

Rob Kelly Career Game Log | Pro-Football-Reference.com

Get Rob Kelly Career game log for regular season and playoff games on Pro-football-reference.com.

www.pro-football-reference.com

Pro Football Archives -- Rob Kelly Player Profile

Pro Football Archives -- Rob Kelly Transactions

Rob Kelly (American football) - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
More June 21 Birthdays​

Other June 21 birthdays with a New England connection:

Dan Henning, 83 (June 21, 1942)
Boston College

Dan Henning was a quarterback from William & Mary with a non-descript career as a backup behind John Hadl for the Chargers from 1964-1967. A year later he began his coaching career as an assistant at Florida State - a career that would last for 42 years. His first position in the NFL was as the quarterbacks coach for the Houston Oilers in 1972. In the 80s he earned two super bowl rings as offensive coordinator for the Washington Redskins.

Henning may be most well known for being the head coach at Boston College during a gambling scandal in 1996. He confronted the team after a bad loss to Syracuse, notified higher-ups, and eventually brought in the Middlesex County district attorney. 13 players were suspended and six banned permanently.

Henning was also head coach for Atlanta from 1983 to 1986, and for San Diego from 1989 to 1991. After that he served as OC with five different NFL teams, his last job coming in 2010 for the Dolphins.

DARK DAYS AT BC A BETTING SCANDAL TRIGGERED BY PLAYERS WHO WAGERED AGAINST THEIR OWN TEAM BROUGHT NEW SHAME TO BOSTON COLLEGE

It is easy enough for anybody to gamble on college campusesthese days, but for Chris Cosenza, a junior wide receiver on theBoston College football team,

vault.si.com

https://newspapers.bc.edu/?a=d&d=bcheights19961111.2.2

BC's Geiselman is paying the price

CUMBERLAND -- He didn't see it as any big deal. Yes, he knew it was wrong. Yes, he knew that as a football player at Boston College he wasn't supposed to be betting on sporting events. But still,…

www.southcoasttoday.com

Bulger Lowe (June 21, 1895 - Feb 18, 1939)
Born and raised in Arlington; Arlington High School; Phillips Exeter Academy
End/tackle played in the early days of the NFL, from 1920 to 1927. Lowe was an All-Pro in 1921 with the Cleveland Indians, was part of the 14-1-2 NFL champion Frankford Yellow Jackets in 1926, and finished his career the following year with the Providence Steam Roller.

The Gridiron Club of Greater Boston established The George H. "Bulger" Lowe Award in 1939 to recognize New England's best offensive and defensive players in the NCAA Bowl and Championship divisions. The award is the third oldest collegiate football award, following the Heisman Trophy and Maxwell Award. The award is sometimes referred to as "New England's Heisman Trophy"



John "Baby Grand" Scafide (June 21, 1911 - Oct 24, 1979)
Old Boston football franchise
Tackle for the 1933 Boston Redskins was later mayor of Bay St. Louis, Mississippi from 1953 to 1969.

Hancock County Obituary Record : Scafide, John A. Sr. - Hancock County Historical Society and Museum

Obituary record for Scafide, John A. Sr. :: October 31, 1979 (Hancock County, MS)

www.hancockcountyhistoricalsociety.com

One other notable NFL player born on this date:

Mike McCormack (June 21, 1930 - Nov 15, 2013)
Despite missing two seasons in his prime due to the Korean War, the Hall of Fame lineman was named to six Pro Bowls over ten seasons, winning NFL championships in 1954 and 1955 with the Cleveland Browns. McCormack coached from 1966 to1982, including six years as head coach. He was also president/general manager of the Seattle Seahawks from 1982-1988, and for Carolina in 1995. He was the first inductee to the Panthers Hall of Honor.

Mike McCormack | Pro Football Hall of Fame

www.profootballhof.com

Mike McCormack Record, Statistics, and Category Ranks | Pro-Football-Reference.com

Get Stats, Coaching Records, Team Ranks, Coordinators, and more for Mike McCormack on Pro-football-reference.com.

www.pro-football-reference.com

Mike McCormack, 1930-2013 | Pro Football Hall of Fame

www.profootballhof.com

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Gronk retires​

June 21, 2022:
Rob Gronkowski retires, for the second time

This was so sad and so very wrong, in my opinion.

He and Tom Brady should have signed one-day contracts and retired as New England Patriots, but that was not to be.


Headlines of the announcement from a geographical and philosophical variety of souces:

Former Wildcat and four-time Super Bowl champion Rob Gronkowski retires from the NFL again

ESPN insider Jordan Schultz reported Tuesday afternoon that four-time Super Bowl champion and future NFL Hall of Famer Rob Gronkowski will not return to the Buccaneers for the 2022-23 season and call it a career. Gronkowski played two seasons in Tucson at the University of Arizona before being...

wildcat.arizona.edu

Rob Gronkowski retires, won't join Tom Brady for 3rd season

Four-time All-Pro tight end Rob Gronkowski has announced he is retiring and won't join Tom Brady for a third season in Tampa Bay

spectrumlocalnews.com

Rob Gronkowski announces his NFL retirement, but his agent not convinced

“I will now be going back into my retirement home,” the former Patriot and Bucs tight end says via social media.

www.tampabay.com

Four-time Super Bowl champion Rob Gronkowski retires from NFL for second time

Five-time Pro Bowl tight end Rob Gronkowski has retired for a second time, ending – for now – a career that has seen him win four Super Bowls

www.theguardian.com

Rob Gronkowski retiring from NFL for second time

Once again, Rob Gronkowski is retiring from the game of football.

www.cbsnews.com

Rob Gronkowski Announces Retirement From NFL, Again

After 11 seasons in the NFL, Rob Gronkowski announced he is retiring once again. Read the former tight end’s message to his teammates, coaches and fans.

www.eonline.com

Rob Gronkowski Announces He's Retiring, 'I Gave It Everything I Had'

Rob Gronkowski is once again hanging up his cleats ... the legendary tight end has just retired from football for the second time in his career.

www.tmz.com

Former Patriots great Rob Gronkowski retires for a second time

Rob Gronkowski, arguably the greatest tight end of all time, has announced his retirement — for a second time.

www.bostonherald.com

Rob Gronkowski announced his second retirement from playing professional football

Tight end Rob Gronkowski announced that he is retiring for the second time from playing professional football.

www.boston.com

Thread 'Breaking: Gronk to Retire'

Jun 21, 2022

Four-time Super Bowl champion Rob Gronkowski announces retirement after 11 seasons with Patriots, Buccaneers

Four-time All-Pro tight end Rob Gronkowski announced in a Tuesday statement on his Instagram that he is once again retiring from the NFL after 11 seasons.

www.nfl.com

• SHOWTIME15
• Replies: 226
• Forum: PatsFans.com - Patriots Fan Forum

 

[signbabybrady]

Today in Patriots History
Gronk retires​

June 21, 2022:
Rob Gronkowski retires, for the second time

This was so sad and so very wrong, in my opinion.

He and Tom Brady should have signed one-day contracts and retired as New England Patriots, but that was not to be.


Headlines of the announcement from a geographical and philosophical variety of souces:

Former Wildcat and four-time Super Bowl champion Rob Gronkowski retires from the NFL again

ESPN insider Jordan Schultz reported Tuesday afternoon that four-time Super Bowl champion and future NFL Hall of Famer Rob Gronkowski will not return to the Buccaneers for the 2022-23 season and call it a career. Gronkowski played two seasons in Tucson at the University of Arizona before being...

wildcat.arizona.edu

Rob Gronkowski retires, won't join Tom Brady for 3rd season

Four-time All-Pro tight end Rob Gronkowski has announced he is retiring and won't join Tom Brady for a third season in Tampa Bay

spectrumlocalnews.com

Rob Gronkowski announces his NFL retirement, but his agent not convinced

“I will now be going back into my retirement home,” the former Patriot and Bucs tight end says via social media.

www.tampabay.com

Four-time Super Bowl champion Rob Gronkowski retires from NFL for second time

Five-time Pro Bowl tight end Rob Gronkowski has retired for a second time, ending – for now – a career that has seen him win four Super Bowls

www.theguardian.com

Rob Gronkowski retiring from NFL for second time

Once again, Rob Gronkowski is retiring from the game of football.

www.cbsnews.com

Rob Gronkowski Announces Retirement From NFL, Again

After 11 seasons in the NFL, Rob Gronkowski announced he is retiring once again. Read the former tight end’s message to his teammates, coaches and fans.

www.eonline.com

Rob Gronkowski Announces He's Retiring, 'I Gave It Everything I Had'

Rob Gronkowski is once again hanging up his cleats ... the legendary tight end has just retired from football for the second time in his career.

www.tmz.com

Former Patriots great Rob Gronkowski retires for a second time

Rob Gronkowski, arguably the greatest tight end of all time, has announced his retirement — for a second time.

www.bostonherald.com

Rob Gronkowski announced his second retirement from playing professional football

Tight end Rob Gronkowski announced that he is retiring for the second time from playing professional football.

www.boston.com

Thread 'Breaking: Gronk to Retire'

Jun 21, 2022

Four-time Super Bowl champion Rob Gronkowski announces retirement after 11 seasons with Patriots, Buccaneers

Four-time All-Pro tight end Rob Gronkowski announced in a Tuesday statement on his Instagram that he is once again retiring from the NFL after 11 seasons.

www.nfl.com

• SHOWTIME15
• Replies: 226
• Forum: PatsFans.com - Patriots Fan Forum

@WhatJustHappened

 

[WhatJustHappened]

Can you swallow his load in 1 gulp?
Jus asking.....

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Other June 21 Events​

June 21, 1984:
Clarence Weathers is re-signed to a three-year contract

Weathers only played for the Pats for two years ('83-'84) but he did stay in the NFL through 1991. He was on the roster with his brother Robert Weathers, the 2nd round RB for a while. Clarence Weathers was a #3/4 wide receiver / special teamer who had 160 receptions over nine NFL seasons.

June 21, 1985:
The New England Patriots sign free agent Rick Donnelly

Donnelly was signed as an undrafted rookie punter from Wyoming. As a senior he averaged 47.5 yards per punt, and played in the East-West Shrine Bowl. While he did nothing wrong in training camp, averaging 44.5 ypp, he had no chance on displacing incumbent punter Rich Camarillo. Donnelly signed with the Falcons and set a single game franchise record there when he averaged 52.1 yards on seven punts in one game. In 1987 he led the NFL in yards per punt, but knee and back injuries curtailed his NFL career before the age of 30.




June 21, 2002:
New England re-signs exclusive rights free agent LB/ST Kole Ayi

Kole Ayi went to Nashua (NH) High School and UMass before being signed as an undrafted rookie by the Rams in 2001. The Patriots had claimed him off waivers from the Giants on Nov 15, 2001. He was placed on IR two weeks later - and five days after being re-signed as an ERFA, was traded back to the Rams.

Patriots trade Ayi back to Rams

WIRE REPORT The New England Patriots have traded linebacker Kole Ayi back to the St. Louis Rams yesterday for an undisclosed future draft pick. Ayi was with the Rams for the first six games last …

www.southcoasttoday.com

The New England Patriots have traded linebacker Kole Ayi back to the St. Louis Rams yesterday for an undisclosed future draft pick. Ayi was with the Rams for the first six games last season.​

Ayi, 6-1, 235, was originally signed by the Rams last May as an undrafted free agent out of the University of Massachussetts. Ayi, who walked on at UMass, left as the school's career leader in solo tackles.​

The Rams released Ayi on Oct. 23 and signed him to their practice squad the next day, but the New York Giants signed him to their active roster on Oct. 25. He was inactive for three games and then waived by the Giants. New England claimed him Nov. 15.​

Ayi played in one game for the Patriots, a 24-17 loss to the Rams, and was inactive the next week before being placed on injured reserve Nov. 28.​

His only statistics came in six games with the Rams. He made eight special teams tackles in six games, which led the team at the time of his release.​

Ayi was re-signed by the Patriots on June 21.​

June 21, 2021:

Patriots sign WR Devin Ross after minicamp tryout

The Patriots had an open roster spot last week after releasing a backup kicker and long snapper, while signing offensive tackle RJ Price.

www.bostonherald.com

Patriots sign free-agent WR who has history with team

The Patriots signed veteran wide receiver Devin Ross on Monday ahead of next month’s training camp.

www.nbcsportsboston.com

The New England Patriots added another wide receiver to their roster ahead of July's training camp.​

Veteran wideout Devin Ross signed with the Patriots on Monday, the team announced. ESPN's Mike Reiss first reported that New England was expected to sign Ross.​

Ross went undrafted in 2018 and has spent time with the Tennessee Titans, Philadelphia Eagles and New England Patriots. He was a member of the Patriots practice squad for a bit in 2020 before he was released by New England in October. Ross also had a few nice practices in Patriots training camp last year.​

Why Mac Jones' teammate thinks Pats QB will be 'special'​

He still has not yet played in an NFL regular season game.​

The 25-year-old wide receiver is listed at 5-foot-11 and 183 pounds. He played four years at the University of Colorado from 2013 through 2017.​

June 21, 2022:
Patriots sign offensive lineman Darryl Williams -- Patriots.com

The New England Patriots announced that they have signed first-year OL Darryl Williams.​

Williams, 25, spent the majority of the last two seasons on the Kansas City Chiefs practice squad after originally joining the team as a rookie free agent out of Mississippi State on April 26, 2020. The 6-foot-3, 310-pounder was released by Kansas City on June 14, 2022. He was a three-year starter at college who played in 45 games with 38 starts, 25 at left guard and 13 at center.​

Williams didn't last long: he was released on July 26, at the start of the 2022 training camp. He did appear in one NFL game, for the Jaguars in 2022.




June 21, 2025:
QB Drake Maye marries his longtime girlfriend, Anne Michael Hudson at the Grandfather Country Club in Linville, NC

Maye and Hudson began dating in 2015, when they were 12 years old. They have been inseparable since; after graduating high school together, they both enrolled at the University of North Carolina.

Drake Maye married his longtime girlfriend over the weekend

New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye picked up his first ring over the weekend, marrying his longtime sweetheart Ann Michael Hudson.

www.cbsnews.com

Patriots QB Drake Maye marries his middle school sweetheart

New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye married his longtime love Ann Michael Hudson this weekend.

www.nbcboston.com

​

 

[signbabybrady]

Can you swallow his load in 1 gulp?
Jus asking.....

 

[WhatJustHappened]

Move Along.

 

[Pape]

Today in Patriots History
Gronk retires​

He and Tom Brady should have signed one-day contracts and retired as New England Patriots, but that was not to be.

Petty, **** move not to do so...

Over the intervening years, Rob Gronkowki has become one of my least favorite Patriot players... comes off as an entitled douche canoe...

ymmv

 

[turkeyneck]

Today in Patriots History
"If the Super Bowl is the Ultimate Game,
how come they're playing it again next year?"​

In memory of Duaane Thomas, who would have turned 78 today...

"I was in a two-point stance because it gives a better view of a handoff. I was behind Jim Nance, and I couldn't see. His ass was the size of a volleyball court."...​

Thomas was the first instance I can recall of the "modern" sports as a business model to appear over my football horizon, shortly after Curt Flood blew away my youthful naivete re baseball.

 

[signbabybrady]

Petty, **** move not to do so...

Over the intervening years, Rob Gronkowki has become one of my least favorite Patriot players... comes off as an entitled douche canoe...

ymmv

That's a shame for you. He's one of our more active ex players both on social and in the community. He still has his house in Foxboro and still does his charity stuff. And there aren't many other players like him and Jules constantly giving us stories of our glory years.

 

[Pape]

That's a shame for you.

Just one guys opinion... No one else is required to share it...

He's one of our more active ex players both on social

Only matters if one is active on social media

and still does his charity stuff.

Credit to him. That is excellent of him, no doubt.

And there aren't many other players like him and Jules constantly giving us stories of our glory years.

The song glory days is now playing in my head...

I'm happy that you have a more positive outlook on gronk... Now,

 

[signbabybrady]

Only matters if one is active on social media

I didn't mean to say that social media is important just that a lot of the guys go live quiet lives and are rarely heard from. Nothing wrong with that but it's nice to still hear from guys like Jules and Gronk.