Today In Patriots History July 26, 1960: Boston Patriots play their first-ever 'game' - in Haverhill

July 26, 1960:
The Boston Patriots made their first public appearance as a team, playing an intrasquad scrimmage at Haverhill High School. Proceeds from the event went to the Haverhill Lions Club charity fund.


This was the very first time fans had an opportunity to play in front of fans in game-type conditions. It also served as a warmup for the very first AFL 'exhibition game' (as preseason game were more accurately referred to as back then).

Four days later the Patriots traveled to Buffalo, beating the Bills 28-7 at War Memorial Stadium. Bob Dee is credited with scoring the first points in American Football League history. The defensive end put his name in the league's history books when he dove onto a fumble by Bills QB Tommy O'Connell (father of former Boston Bruins GM Mike O'Connell) in the end zone, in the second quarter of the league's first-ever exhibition game.

July 26, 1997:
Mike Haynes is inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.

Haynes was the second Patriot to be enshrined, following John Hannah's induction in 1991.

July 26, 2007:
Curtis Martin retires as the fourth-ranked all-time NFL rusher.

Although Curtis was with New England for only three of his eleven seasons in the NFL, 27% of his career rushing yards (3,799) came with the Patriots, as well as 36% of his rushing touchdowns (32 of 90) and 37% of his total touchdowns (37 of 100). Martin also had single-season career highs for rushing touchdowns as a Patriot (14 in both 1995 and 1996) and total touchdowns (17 in '96, followed by 15 in '95).

Happy 32nd birthday to Deatrich Wise
Born July 26, 1994 in St Petersburg, Florida
Patriots defensive end, 2017-2024; uniform #91
Pats 4th round (131st overall) selection of the 2017 draft, from Arkansas
Pats résumé: eight seasons, 126 games, plus six postseason games




Deatrich Wise missed just six games (of a possible 121) in his eight seasons with the Patriots: two in 2019 (one was a healthy scratch, the other he dressed but did not play); one in 2021 (covid), one in 2023 (shoulder/illness), and two in 2024. Over his first seven seasons he averaged 41 tackles, 4.1 sacks, 12 QB hits and 4-plus tackles for a loss per season.

As a rookie in 2017 he was in on more than half the team's defensive snaps, but his playing time dropped the following year. Wise was projected to be a starter on the defensive line along with Michael Bennett, Lawrence Guy and Mike Pennel prior to the 2018 season, with John Simon, Derek Rivers and Keionta Davis possibly challenging him for playing time. As it turned out Wise was on the field even less often, with his snap count dropping from 543 (51%) in 2017 to 432 (41%) in 2018 to just 229 (23%) in 2019. With so many key defensive players not returning in 2020, Wise ended up with the most playing time of his career (565 defensive snaps, 56%), and a career high 49 tackles.




In a bit of a surprise the Patriots signed Wise to what appears to be a relatively generous contract in March of 2021. The deal was worth $22 million with $10 million guaranteed, including a $5 million signing bonus - plus up to $1 million a year in per game bonuses, with up to an additional $8 million in incentives available.

Wise began to take on a larger role; the number of games started went from three in 2019 to seven in 2020, to nine in 2021, to 16 in 2022. At the same time his snap count jumped up from 229 in 2019 to 565 in 2020, to 829 (73%) in 2021 - while also seeing an increase in his time on special teams. Wise was a defensive co-captain for 2022 and 2023. The following season second-year player Keion White (829 snaps, 4th most on defense) took on a larger role in the defensive line rotation, and Wise's time regressed (408 snaps, 14th most and also fewer than that of Jeremiah Pharms).


If the writing on the wall was not already clear as day, it certainly was when the Patriots added Milton Williams on day one of the legal tampering period of 2025 free agency. Two days later Wise signed a one-year, $5 million contract with the Washington Commanders. The eight-year streak of avoiding major injuries came to an abrupt end when Wise suffered a season-ending quad injury in Week 2. Washington re-signed Wise to a one-year contract on March 6, at a much lower value: one-year, $1.45 million with only a $75,000 signing bonus, and max value of $2 million with incentives. Wise is currently on PUP and will be facing an uphill battle for a roster spot, despite the team-friendly contract.




March 15, 2021:

May 6, 2021:

May 6, 2021:


April 6, 2022:

April 6, 2022:

July 14, 2022:

Feb 8, 2024:

Feb 15, 2024:

Feb 16, 2024:

March 20, 2024:

July 9, 2024:


July 22, 2026:







Career Earnings: $30,852,089
Career APY: $3,428,010