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Today in Patriots History
A Boston Patriot All-Star
A Boston Patriot All-Star
Happy 84th birthday to Ron Hall
Born April 30, 1937; from Granite City, Illinois
Patriot safety, 1961-1967; uniform #23
Signed as a free agent on October 12, 1961
Ron Hall was a late draft pick by Pittsburgh in 1959, but was drafted and had to serve two years in the Army before being able to sign with the Patriots.. For many years Ron held the franchise record for career interceptions (29), and even now he still ranks third all time in that category behind only Raymond Clayborn and Ty Law. His 11 picks in 1964 is still a single season team record, and it ranks as the 14th most in pro football history.
From the 1967 Patriots Media Guide:
This hard hitting seven year veteran is known for his leadership on defense . . . one of the league's most aggressive free safeties . . . ranked sixth in AFL last year with six interceptions . . . one against Denver set a record of 87 yards — the longest in '66 AFL action . . . has especially fine duels with Chiefs' Otis Taylor . . . rents his Missouri home in off-season to another Chief, end Chris Buford . . . led AFL last year with 26.5 yard average per interception . . . was chief executioner of Boston's safety blitz . . . joined Pats in '61 but was cut by former Coach Lou Saban . . . was first to be called back when Coach Holovak took over . . . grabbed 11 interceptions in '64 and made Eastern All-Stars . . . can run well once he gets the ball . . . a solid veteran performer.
Ron Hall was an AFL All-Star in 1963, first team All Pro in 1964, a member of the Patriots All-Decade team for the 1960s, and was named to the Patriots 35th Anniversary Team. After retiring Hall was a high school phys ed teacher and football coach.
This is an excellent read on Ron Hall's life journey from a small steel mill town, to the Army, to a call from Mike Holovak and much more:
Ron Hall - Missouri Sports Hall of Fame
For more on Hall and the AFL, check out this Q&A: Email from the AFL: Boston Patriots Ron Hall.