Today In Patriots History August 29: Chuck Shonta

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Chuck Shonta​

Happy 87th birthday to Chuck Shonta
Born Aug 29, 1937 in Detroit
Patriot CB/S, 1960-1967; uniform #34
Signed as an undrafted rookie free agent, early 1960


Chuck Shonta played his college football for the Michigan State Normal College Hurons - who changed their name in 1959 to what they are now known as, the Eastern Michigan University Eagles. He earned All-League honors in 1957 and 1958, and was captain of the EMU football team as a senior in 1958. An all-around athlete, Shonta was also an All-League baseball player in 1958 and 1959. As a high school player at Detroit Pershing he helped lead his team to a state football title.

After graduating from the Ypsilanti, Michigan school with a degree in education, Shonta took a job as a school teacher. In 1960 he seized on the opportunity, and joined the Patriots of the upstart AFL for their initial training camp. Shonta was installed as the Pats starting right corner, one of six rookies on Lou Saban's defense. He remained the Patriots starting CB for six seasons, then moved to free safety in 1967 - and was named to the AFL All-Star team that year. Shonta played one more year, retiring after the 1968 season. Chuck Shonta played in 105 regular season games plus two postseason games, all for the Boston Patriots, with 15 interceptions.

After finishing his pro football career, he became the head football coach at Northville High School from 1970-77, and was named Michigan High School "Coach of the Year" in 1974. Shonta said that "After football, I went back to teaching and taught for 33 years. I was also head football coach for eight years. I retired in 1994 and now spend my time at our place up north in Michigan on Lake Huron. In the winter, we travel and especially like cruises."


Chuck Shonta had three memorable plays in his rookie season. This is from his first game as a pro and the franchise's first-ever game:

A look back 50 years - the Patriots first game, Sept. 9, 1960

Take a look back 50 years to the Patriots first game on Septmber 6, 1960.

www.patriots.com

Boston mounted a drive midway through the quarter, but the Denver defense held on a fourth-and-two play from the Broncos 33 and the Patriots went to halftime trailing 7-3.​

Late in the third, though, another big play extended Denver's fragile advantage. This one came on special teams when Gene Mingo returned a Tommy Greene punt 76 yards along the right sideline for a touchdown.​

Thinks looked bleak when Boston's Jim Colclough lost a fumble on the Denver 38, but Chuck Shonta turned the tables two plays later, intercepting a Denver pass at the Patriots 30 and returning it to the Broncos 10-yard line. One play later, Songin found Colclough on the right side of the end zone for a touchdown, which cut Denver's lead to 13-10 at the end of three quarters.​

Celebrating the 1960 Patriots | The Patriots Hall of Fame

www.patriotshalloffame.com

Patriots defensive back Chuck Shonta returned an interception 60 yards to the Denver 10, which set up a Butch Songin-to-Jim Colclough touchdown pass to make it 13-10. The Patriots appeared poised to take the lead in the fourth quarter until Songin was intercepted at the Denver 2-yard-line. Boston never regained possession and despite beating Denver, 43-6, in the preseason, it dropped the opener to fall to 0-1 on its way to a 5-9 inaugural season. It was rumored that Denver head coach Frank Filchock, while on a walk from his team hotel the day before the opener, walked into the stadium to watch the Patriots practice and knew his opponent’s game plan.​

The Patriots lost that game, but would get their first win the following week with an amazing finish to defeat the New York Titans.

Email from the AFL - Chuck Shonta, Boston Patriots

Defensive back, Chuck Shonta, came to the Boston Patriots from Eastern Michigan in the 1960 AFL Draft. Shonta was one of the hundreds to participate in the first Patriots training camp, and earned a spot in the defensive backfield that

talesfromtheamericanfootballleague.com

AFL – What was your single proudest moment in professional football?​

CS – My proudest moment came in 1960 against the N.Y. Titans. On the last play of the game, I picked up a fumble and ran 56 yards for a touchdown. I was on the 20 yard line when the gun went off. It was the Patriots first win in the AFL. I just found out that was a record for 52 years as the longest touchdown as time ran out to win a game. That record was broken last year by punt returner who went 60 yards as time ran out and scored a winning touchdown.​

AFL Defensive Players of the Week – 1960

LOOKING BACK By Jeffrey Miller The first week of the American Football League’s regular season could be described as rough at best....

nflfootballjournal.blogspot.com

Week 9 – November 4, 1960​

This week’s Defensive Player of the Week was Chuck Shonta, defensive back for the Boston Patriots. The East Michigan alum was outstanding in the Pats 34-28 triumph over the Raiders at Boston’s Nickerson Field. Shonta had at least two passes defensed (we say at least two since much of the text from the gamebook is illegible) in the first quarter to keep the Raiders off the scoreboard, then made a game-saving interception in the dying moments to preserve the win. The Raiders, trailing by six late in the fourth, were driving toward the possible game-winning touchdown when Chuck nabbed Babe Parilli’s pass at the Boston 37 and returned it deep into Raiders territory. It was all over at that point.​

Everything I can find on Chuck Shonta has him as #34, but here he is wearing #40.
Perhaps the team changed numbers by the time they started the regular season, some of the numbers below seem off.



Back Row: Trainer (?) Lopacial, QB Tom Dimitroff (15), LB Bill Brown (51), QB Tom Greene (14), DT Jim Lee Hunt (79), DT Harry Jagielski (73), OT George McGee (75), HB **** Christy (23), CB Clyde Washington (31), LG Charley Leo (63), C Walt Cudzik (54)
Middle Row: Coach Mike Holovak, Coach Jerry Smith, FB Jim Crawford (30), RE Oscar Lofton (86), RT Jerry Delucca (74), LB Harry Jacobs (83), RG Abe Cohen (62), DT Hal Smith (30), OT Bob Cross (77), LB Bill Striegel (72), QB Harvey White (10), FS Ross O'Hanley (25), CB Chuck Shonta (40), LLB Tom Addison (53), Equipment Asst ?, Coach Joel Collier
Front Row: HB Billy Wells (41), SS Fred Bruney (33), LE Joe Johnson (24), RE/DB Bob Soltis (42), RE Tom Stephens (45), G Jack Davis (65), LDE Bob Dee (89), Head Coach Lou Saban, G Tony Sardisco (64), FS Gino Cappelletti (20), LE Jim Colclough (81), LHB Ron Burton (22), FB Alan Miller (32), QB Butch Songin (11), RLB Jack Rudolph (80), Equipment Mgr Ralph Dello Russo​

This Q&A with Chuck Shonta is an excellent five minutes of your time, in my opinion:

Email from the AFL - Chuck Shonta, Boston Patriots

Defensive back, Chuck Shonta, came to the Boston Patriots from Eastern Michigan in the 1960 AFL Draft. Shonta was one of the hundreds to participate in the first Patriots training camp, and earned a spot in the defensive backfield that

talesfromtheamericanfootballleague.com

Buffalo Bills fullback Cookie Gilchrist (34) almost made a first down in this end run, before being brought down by Chuck Shonta (34) of the Boston Patriots in their exhibition game at Boston University Field on Sept. 1, 1962. Boston's **** Klein (62) and Nick Buoniconti (85) along with Mack Yoho (81) of the Bills are in on this first quarter action.​

 

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Beast. Underrated Boston Patriot.

Absolutely draws the eye when watching old 60's football...

As for the Jersey number - oof... The 1960 Media Guide has some players with number, others with out numbers... Shonta is listed as 40 in the media guide... (Larry Garron, who wore 40 in the season is listed as 46 in that guide)... Ger Schwedes was listed as wearing 31 in camp, but I think wore 34 in games... all a bit confusing... but somewhere along the way, the jersey numbers were settled and Chuck Shonta got 34, and kept it while he was in Boston...

Larry Garron 46 to 40 ( i *think* theres a pic of him wearing 46, citing him as Larry Barron - have it couldn't find it though)
Ger Schwedes - 31 to 34, traded to the Titans part way thru 1960
Chuck Shonta - 40 to 34, maybe after Ger was traded to NYT

Schwedes wore 44 when he returned to Boston in 1961...

so... after all that, are you as confused as I am? lol... the early records are a brutal mess, and wholly incomplete...

New England Patriots

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Charley Leo​

In memory of Charley Leo, who would have turned 90 today
Born Aug 29, 1934 in Niagra Falls, NY
Died October 7, 2010 in Rochester, NY at the age of 76
Patriot LG, 1960-1962; uniform #63
Signed as an undrafted rookie free agent, early 1960


Charles Leo played in 34 games (33 starts) with the Patriots from 1960 to 1962 before his career was derailed by a hamstring injury. The graduate of Indiana University also played in four games with the Bills in 1963, and spent three years with the Toronto Rifles, a minor league team in the Continental Football League.



Fenway Park Diaries - Charley Leo

Charley Leo showed up to the training camp after being signed by a free agent in 1960 by the Boston Patriots. He was kept on the team by coach Lou Saban and started as a guard on the offensive line. In his rookie season as a Patriot, he was named second team all-pro. Always striving to do better after being drafted for a short career in the United States Army, he was named first all-pro in 1961. In 1962, he played four games before he severely tore his hamstring in a non-football related accident. Unable to get the injury to heal so he could return to his prior playing level, he did not return to the Patriots offensive line and was let go by the team.​

Remembering the life of Charles Leo

Charles Leo passed away. This is the full obituary where you can express condolences and share memories. Published in the Niagara Gazette on 2010-10-22.

obituaries.niagara-gazette.com

Charles Leo passed away on October 7, 2010 in Strong Memorial Hospital, Rochester New York. Charles was born and raised in Niagara Falls, New York and graduated from Bishop Duffy High School, where he excelled in football. After graduating from Duffy he received a football scholarship to Indiana University. On April 27, 1957 Charlie married his childhood sweetheart, Colleen Dugan. His career was interrupted when he was drafted into the Military during the Korean War and served in the Military Police. After serving his country, Charlie returned to Indiana University to continue his scholarship. Upon graduating from Indiana he was drafted by the Boston Patriots in the old AFL as an Offensive Guard in 1960 and was an All-Star guard.​

After retiring from pro football, Charlie and his wife, Colleen (Dugan) Leo, moved to Canandaigua, New York where he became Sales Manager of Heavy Equipment for L. B. Smith.​

Pro Football Archives - Charley Leo

 

[jmt57]

Beast. Underrated Boston Patriot.

Absolutely draws the eye when watching old 60's football...

As for the Jersey number - oof... The 1960 Media Guide has some players with number, others with out numbers... Shonta is listed as 40 in the media guide... (Larry Garron, who wore 40 in the season is listed as 46 in that guide)... Ger Schwedes was listed as wearing 34 in camp... all a bit confusing... but somewhere along the way, the jersey numbers were settled and Chuck Shonta got 34, and kept it while he was in Boston...

Larry Garron 46 to 40,
Ger Schwedes - 31 to 34, traded to the Titans part way thru 1960
Chuck Shonta - 40 to 34, maybe after Ger was traded to NYT

Schwedes wore 44 when he returned to Boston in 1961...

so... after all that, are you as confused as I am? lol... the early records are a brutal mess, and wholly incomplete...

New England Patriots

Yeah, I went back and forth between that 1960s Pats Media Guide and Pro Football Reference - definitely some confusion. I can certainly understand why, given that it was so long ago, plus it was a brand new, not yet established league.

(And that's before getting into the two guards that were both named Jack Davis.)

The name/numbers on the team photo came from this link on the Remember the AFL website. I tried to clean it up a bit with full names and positions, but the whole endeavor turned out to be rather headache-inducing.

 

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Yeah, I went back and forth between that 1960s Pats Media Guide and Pro Football Reference - definitely some confusion. I can certainly understand why, given that it was so long ago, plus it was a brand new, not yet established league.

(And that's before getting into the two guards that were both named Jack Davis.)

The name/numbers on the team photo came from this link on the Remember the AFL website. I tried to clean it up a bit with full names and positions, but the whole endeavor turned out to be rather headache-inducing.

its tough slogging thru some of those records... and the remember the AFL site is awesome... there used to(?) be a forum related to that i would crawl thru for numbers, but i lost track of it

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Thomas Stephens​

In memory of Thomas Stephens, who would have turned 89 today
Born Aug 29, 1935 in Galveston, Texas
Died July 12, 2018 at the age of 82 in Naples, Florida
Patriot TE/DB, 1960-1964; uniform #45
Signed as a free agent, early 1960


Tom Stephens was an 11th round (132nd overall) selection by the Baltimore Colts in the 1959 NFL draft. He never played for the Colts or any other NFL team, joining the Boston Patriots for the inaugural 1960 American Football League season. Stephens played in 49 games for the Patriots from 1960 to 1964. He had 41 receptions for 506 yards and five touchdowns, averaged 7.9 yards on 19 punt returns, and had one interception.

Thomas Stephens - Syracuse University Athletics

Running Back 6-0, 192 Mohawk, N.Y. Washington High School Senior Year (1958): Finished second on the team with six total touchdowns and 44 poin...

cuse.com

Senior Year (1958): Finished second on the team with six total touchdowns and 44 points … Ran 78 times for 351 yards and four touchdowns … Caught 11 passes for 173 yards and two touchdowns.​

Junior Year (1957): Led the team in scoring with seven touchdowns and 42 points … Second on the team with 306 rushing yards on 70 carries … Second on the team with 13 receptions for 190 yards and two touchdowns … Was the top punter on the team averaging 36-yards per punt.​

A true Patriot - 01907 The Magazine

Tom Stephens (#45) played five seasons with the Boston Patriot franchise, New England’s first professional football team. By RICH FAHEY They were a band of brothers, the men who first brought professional football to New England in 1960. The Boston Patriot franchise in the American Football...

01907themagazine.com

They were a band of brothers, the men who first brought professional football to New England in 1960.​

The Boston Patriot franchise in the American Football League was worth $250,000 that year and is now the NFL’s New England Patriots and worth $3.4 billion, according to Forbes Magazine.​

Tom Stephens, 81, was a member of that team. He and his wife, Lonnie, have lived in Swampscott for more than 40 years, now splitting time between Swampscott and Naples, Fla.​

Stephens, who had an accomplished career as a player, coach and athletic director, also happens to be the answer to an excellent trivia question: Who wore the No. 44 at Syracuse University between Pro Football Hall of Famer Jim Brown and the late Ernie Davis, the first African-American to win the Heisman Trophy and a member of the College Football Hall of Fame?​

The answer, of course, was Stephens, who played for the Orange between 1956-58.​

He still keeps in touch with some of his former Patriot teammates, such as Tom Yewcic, who holds a charity golf tournament each year, which includes both alumni such as Patriot Hall of Famer Gino Cappelletti and Len St. Jean and present players. He also remains active with the New England Patriots Alumni Club.​

The smooth-running franchise known for its consistent excellence and four Super Bowl trophies bears little resemblance to the franchise’s chaotic existence in its early years, when the team shuffled around venues all around Boston until finally moving to Foxboro in 1971. The Patriots of that time were wanderers, playing their home games at BU’s Nickerson Field, Harvard Stadium, Fenway Park and BC’s Alumni Stadium.​

Stephens actually began his pro career in Baltimore, after being drafted by the Baltimore Colts in the 11th round of the 1959 NFL draft. Stephens found himself as a defensive back trying to a crack a team that had just won the NFL championship the year before, and he was cut.​

He was then drafted into the Army and spent time at Fort Benning, Ga. As he was leaving the Army in June 1960, he got a call from Patriot coach Mike Holovak, asking if he wanted to try out for the new Boston franchise in the AFL.​

Some 120 players came through that first camp at UMass Amherst, and Stephens recalls players coming and going at a dizzying rate.​

“You’d thought you made the squad and then — boom — they’d bring two new players in and you didn’t know where you stood.”​

He played five seasons with the Pats, mostly as a 6-2 tight end who played at about 215 pounds — about the size of a cornerback or halfback now.​

In 1962, he was injured when a lineman tackled him in the middle of his back and broke two bones. He was only out for four games, but in the spirit of the AFL of those times, he picked up a second job.​

“They asked me to help out Gerry Moore in the publicity office and make some public appearances for the team, to the Lions Club and the like,” he said. “They told me I was pretty good at it.”​

With the 33-man rosters in the early days of the AFL, you had to do a lot more than just play a position. Stephens could play both offense and defense, and spent time as a split end, tight end, flanker, defensive back and safety and was told to learn the running plays one year. He was also the back-up punter and played on all the special teams. And, he returned punts and kickoffs. The versatility had its rewards.​

“That probably kept me around for a couple of more seasons,” he said.​

Through five seasons, he caught 41 passes for 506 yards and five touchdowns, returned five kickoffs for 57 yards and returned 19 punts for 151 yards. One of his treasured possessions is a game ball from the 1961 season.​

He never made more than $10,000 in a year while playing for the Pats, but at the time, he noted, teachers only made $3,000 a year and he and wife bought their first house for $16,000.​

In 1965, Holovak realized that Stephens wasn’t going to make the team — Tony Romeo, a bigger tight end and Jim Whalen had come along. He told Stephens he had secured him a job in the recreation department in the town of Belmont.​

Stephens began his coaching career at Curry College soon afterwards, spent three years coaching at Harvard under John Yovicsin, including the famous 29-29 “win” over Yale, and then headed back to Curry, where he coached football and was the athletic director for 23 years. In 1995, he was named to the Curry College Athletic Hall of Fame.​

Stephens was born in Galveston, Texas but moved to New York when he was 15 and played most of his high school years at Washington High School in Mohawk, N.Y., where he met a cheerleader named Lonnie, his wife of 57 years.​

For his senior year, he took a different tack that helped him get noticed. He had read about “Football Town, U.S.A.” in “Look” magazine. His mother moved with him to Massillon, Ohio, home of the famed Massillon High football program, where he played his senior year.​

When Stephens won a scholarship to Syracuse, Lonnie joined him there and cheered him on. He played in two bowl games in three years and, as a sophomore, backed up Pro Football Hall of Famer Jim Brown when Brown was a senior.​

'I’d say he was the best of all time,” said Stephens. “He was 6-2, 230, and he could run over you and then away from you.”​

Stephens was an All-East selection his senior year. For his three-year career at Syracuse, he had 148 rushes for 657 yards and nine touchdowns and caught 26 passes for 284 yards and four more scores. In 1957, Stephens led SU with seven touchdowns.​

After Stephens made the Patriots, the couple lived in Nahant for years before moving to Swampscott, where they have lived for more than 40 years and raised two children who both excelled in sports at Swampscott High: daughter Lynda, a decorative painter and musician, and son Thomas, a lieutenant on the Swampscott police force who starred in several sports at Swampscott High and also earned his own football scholarship to Syracuse.​

Tom and Lonnie now spend five months a year in Swampscott and seven months at their home in Naples, Fla.​

Stephens said he doesn’t begrudge any of today’s players their fame and fortune. He is grateful that he left the game with his health intact, still enjoys golf and remains active. He realizes that the size and speed of today’s players takes its toll health-wise and the average NFL career is short.​

He has no regrets about missing the big money or the Super Bowls. “It was a different time and place,” he said.​

Ex-Syracuse football player Thomas Stephens, who donned 44, has died

A former Syracuse University football player who donned the famous No. 44 jersey in between two of the great running backs in program history died last week at the age of 82.

www.syracuse.com

A former Syracuse University football player who donned the famous No. 44 jersey in between two of the great running backs in program history died last week at the age of 82.​

Thomas Stephens devoted much of his life to the game, playing for the Boston Patriots from 1960-64 and later coaching at Harvard and Curry College, where he served as athletic director and was inducted into the school's hall of fame.​

Born in Texas, Stephens moved to Herkimer County when he was 16 and attended Mohawk Central High School.​

He stayed in Upstate New York after accepting a football scholarship to Syracuse, where he overlapped with legendary running backs Jim Brown and Ernie Davis during his time at Syracuse and wore the famed No. 44 jersey in 1957 and 1958, inbetween Brown and Davis.​

A three-year letterwinner from 1956-58, Stephens helped Syracuse to appearances in the Cotton Bowl and Orange Bowl.​

After his playing days, he also served as a First Lieutenant in the Army Reserve and spent many days on the golf course.​

"Any day on the golf course," his obituary reads, "was a good day."​

He and his wife Lonnie split time residing in Massachusetts and Florida. The football player met the cheerleader in high school, were married 59 years and raised a son Thomas and a daughter Lynda.​

Former Patriot Tom Stephens dies at 82

A tight end-defensive back, Tom Stephens was a Patriot original, playing for the team from 1960-1964.

www.patriotledger.com

Born August 29, 1935, Stephens was drafted by the Baltimore Colts in the 11th round (132nd overall) of the 1959 NFL Draft, but signed with the Boston Patriots in 1960 as an original member in the franchise’s inaugural season. For five seasons from 1960-1964, Stephens appeared in 49 games playing both tight end and defensive back, and finished with 41 career receptions for 506 yards receiving and five touchdowns, while also handling punt and kick return duties over his final three seasons.​

Prior to playing for the Patriots, Stephens starred at halfback for Syracuse University, where he wore the historic No. 44 for the Orange between the tenures of future Pro Football Hall of Famer Jim Brown and future Heisman Trophy winner Ernie Davis. Stephens was a member Syracuse’s 1958 Orange Bowl squad.​

Following his playing days, Stephens continued his passion of athletics as a football coach at Harvard University, followed by a coaching stint at Curry College, where he would spend 23 years as the Athletic Director. In 1995, he was inducted into the Curry College Hall of Fame.​

 

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@jmt57

this is the photo, Patriots v Broncos, 1960... I know you have seen it, its pretty common...

46 - Larry Garron... then you got 63 Charlie Leo, 54 Walt Cudzik (guides say 54 is Bill Brown, but I think thats Walt) 62 Abe Cohen and hidden in the back, 65 Jack Davis...

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Sandy Durko​

Happy 76th birthday to Sandy Durko
Born Aug 29, 1948 in Los Angeles
Patriot S, 1973-1974; uniform #22
Claimed off waivers from Cincinnati, July 1, 1973


Sandy Durko played his college football at USC. On the second play from scrimmage in the 1968 USC-Notre Dame game, Durko intercepted intercepted a Joe Theismann pass and returned it 21 yards for a pick-six in a game that ended in a 21-21 tie. He was selected in the sixth round (137th overall) of the 1970 NFL draft by the Cincinnati Bengals. As a rookie he saw action in only one game, but in 1971 he became a starter at free safety, with four interceptions. Durko was waived-injured at the end of the 1972 training camp, and spent that season on injured reserve. The following year the Bengals waived him as part of final roster cuts, and the Patriots grabbed him.

Durko became a starting strong safety for new head coach Chuck Fairbanks in 1973, collecting three more interceptions. The following year Fairbanks brought in a former player of his from Oklahoma, Jack Mildren, and he eventually replaced Durko in the starting lineup.

1974 turned out to be Durko's final year in the NFL. He played in 25 games (18 starts) with the Patriots, and in a total of 40 NFL games, with seven interceptions. In his post-NFL career Durko has worked as an investment manager in Los Angeles.

THE DAY THEY TIED UP O.J.

When you see Notre Dame's Ara Parseghian on television these days he is usually coaching away in a Ford XL commercial while the golden dome sparkles in the

vault.si.com

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Devin Wyman​

Happy 51st birthday to Devin Wyman
Born Aug 29, 1973 in Lynwood, California
Patriot DT, 1996-1997; uniform #72
Patriots 6th round (206th overall) selection of the 1996 draft, from Kentucky State


Devin Wyman played in 15 games (4 starts) with the Patriots over two seasons, with one sack, one forced fumble and 18 tackles. He was placed on injured reserve on August 30, 1998, and signed with Minnesota early in 1999 after his contract expired. The Vikings allocated him to Barcelona in NFL Europe, and later signed with Kansas City, but his NFL playing time was limited to his two seasons with the Pats.

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Tim Edwards​

Happy 56th birthday to Tim Edwards
Born Aug 29, 1968 in Philadelphia, Mississippi
Patriot DT, 1992; uniform #98
Patriots 12th round (307th overall) selection of the 1991 draft, from Delta State


Tim Edwards was waived at the end of his rookie training camp, then re-signed the following spring. He began the 1992 season on the practice squad but was soon promoted, and played in 14 games with one start and one sack. He was waived at the end of the 1993 training camp, and never caught on with any other NFL teams. He also played for the CFL Saskatchewan Roughriders in 1995-96.

Tim Edwards (2008) - Hall of Fame - Delta State University Athletics

Tim Edwards, Class: Induction: 2008 Sport(s): Football - - Football - One of the best defensive linemen that ever played at DSU - 2-time All-GSC 1st Team selection

gostatesmen.com

Timothy Edwards - Football Coach - Hampton University Athletics

Timothy Edwards is in his fifth season at Hampton University serving as the defensive line coach and recruiting coordinator. Since his arrival in 2003 the football

hamptonpirates.com

Tim Edwards - Assistant Coach / Defensive Line - Football Coaches - University of Memphis Athletics

Tim Edwards joined the University of Memphis as its defensive line coach in February of 2019. The Delta State University graduate has more than 20 years coac...

gotigersgo.com

Tim Edwards joined the University of Memphis as its defensive line coach in February of 2019. The Delta State University graduate has more than 20 years coaching, after playing professional football for six years.​

A 1991 graduate of Delta State with a degree in aviation management, Edwards was an All-American linebacker and defensive linemen for the Statesmen. He was selected to play in the Blue-Gray All-Star game, as well as the Senior Bowl, following his senior season. He was inducted into the Delta State Hall of Fame in 2008.​

After college, he played three seasons for the New England Patriots (1991-93) and three seasons for the Saskatchewan Roughriders (1995-97) of the Canadian Football League.​

A 12th-round pick in the 1991 NFL Draft, Edwards returned to Delta State in 1996 to begin his coaching career, serving as a graduate assistant. He was hired at Kentucky State as an assistant coach in 1998, serving as the defensive line coach for three seasons before moving to the linebackers coaching spot in 2001.​

In the spring of 2002, Edwards briefly stepped into the professional coaching ranks, serving as the defensive coordinator for the AF2’s Carolina Rhinos.​

Edwards returned to the college ranks in 2002, serving as the defensive line coach at Pearl River Community College in his native Mississippi.​

In 2003, Edwards moved to Hampton University. With Edwards serving as the linebackers coach in 2003, the HU defense ranked seventh in the nation in total defense. The following season, Edwards moved to the recruiting coordinator and defensive line coaching slot and the defense ranked second in scoring defense and sixth in total defense. During his time in Virginia, Hampton won three consecutive MEAC championships, made three FCS playoff appearances and claimed back-to-back black college national championships (2004 and 2005).​

After four seasons at Hampton, Edwards stayed in the MEAC, but moved to Florida A&M, spending three seasons there as the defensive coordinator. In 2010, the Rattlers were named MEAC co-champs and Edwards was selected to coach the HBCU All-Star Bowl.​

In 2011, Edwards returned south to Louisiana-Lafayette. There, as the defensive line coach, he helped the team to four straight New Orleans Bowl victories and coached numerous all-conference defensive linemen.​

In 2015, Edwards was named the defensive line coach at the University at Buffalo. In his first season, he coached a defense that scored seven touchdowns, which ranked second in the nation. In 2017, the Bulls defense tallied 19 sacks, 13 from the defensive line. Last year, the Bulls had 35 sacks, which ranked 25th in the Football Bowl Subdivision.​

 

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[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Leon Washington​

Happy 42nd birthday to Leon Washington
Born Aug 29, 1982 in Jacksonville, Florida
Patriot RB/KR, 2013; uniform #33
Signed as a veteran free agent on March 15, 2013


There were high hopes for Leon Washington as a role player for the Patriots, but they never came to fruition. The former Jet/Seahawk running back-return man appeared in two games with the Patriots, with one carry (one yard), no receptions (one target), and one kickoff return (19 yards).

March 14, 2013:

Pats sign Leon Washington

Leon Washington helped report on his negotiations with the Patriots on Thursday, talks that ended with the running back/kick returner signing a one-year deal with New England.

www.providencejournal.com

Washington spent four years with the Jets and the last three with Seattle. He has 2,213 career yards rushing, but had his least productive season as a pro in 2012, carrying only 23 times for 83 yards. He has 146 career receptions for another 1,127 yards, but only four last season.​

He is best known as a returner.​

He has had eight touchdowns in the last seven seasons as a kick returner. He has returned 244 kicks for 6,315 yards, an average of 25.9, and 168 punts for 1,668 yards, an average of 9.9.​

He likely will be used more as a returner in New England. The Pats were weak in kick returns last season and Julian Edelman, who was their primary punt return guy, is a free agent. The Pats also have track star Jeff Demps on the roster, but Demps has returned to competing in track and his future with the Pats seems uncertain.​

The signing of Washington might not be good news for Danny Woodhead, who is a free agent. Washington can handle the same role Woodhead did last season.​

The Pats obviously were in the market for a returner. There were reports earlier in the week that they were interested in Josh Cribbs, another of the league's top returners. Cribbs, who has been with the Browns, reportedly also was being pursued by Arizona. Apparently, though, the Pats decided on Washington over Cribbs. Interestingly, Cribbs and Washington share the league record for kickoff returns for touchdowns, with eight.​

July 29, 2013:

Leon Washington wants to go beyond special teams for Patriots

Leon Washington is ready to do more than just return kicks and punts for the New England Patriots.

www.norwichbulletin.com

Sept 7, 2013:

Patriots re-sign Leon Washington

The Patriots have re-signed veteran running back/kickoff returner Leon Washington.The team confirmed the move, which a league source had told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter about earlier Saturday.

www.espn.com

Washington, who signed a one-year, $1.2 million contract with the Patriots in March that included a $360,000 signing bonus, was released last Sunday. Over the past week, he worked out for the Giants and Jets.​

With Washington being signed for the first week of the season, it fully guarantees his new salary for the remainder of the 2013 season, making it more likely he could remain on the team's roster.​

The signing could also tie into the availability of running back Brandon Bolden, who has been limited with a knee injury and was listed as questionable for Sunday's game.​

Nov 23, 2013:

Patriots release veteran RB/KR Washington

The New England Patriots released veteran running back Leon Washington and promoted cornerback Justin Green from their practice squad Saturday.

www.espn.com

The New England Patriots released veteran running back Leon Washington and promoted cornerback Justin Green from their practice squad Saturday.​

Washington, signed this offseason as a free agent, has been nursing an ankle injury since Week 5 and has not played since that time. He was released at the conclusion of training camp but was re-signed prior to a Week 1 game at Buffalo.​

The NFL's second-leading kickoff returner in 2012, Washington played in just two games for the Patriots this season.​

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Joe Blahak​

In memory of Joe Blahak, who would have turned 74 today
Born Aug 29, 1950 in Columbus, Nebraska
Died of a heart attack on April 25, 2016 at the age of 65 in Lincoln, Nebraska
Patriot DB, 1976; uniform #21
Signed as a free agent on November 29, 1976


Joe Blahak played in two games with the Patriots near the end of the 1976 season. The Pats traded him to Minnesota for cash on March 11, 1977. Blahak played in 44 NFL games from 1973 to 1977 with the Oilers, Vikings, Bucs, Patriots, and Vikings a second time. After retiring from football, he worked in the insurance industry.

Joe Blahak – Columbus Scotus Central – Nebraska High School Sports Hall of Fame

nebhalloffame.org

A defensive stalwart on the Nebraska Cornhuskers’ Team of the Century, Blahak made his mark on the high school scene competing in football, basketball and track. A Class B all-state football player in 1968, he led Scotus in rushing, scoring and interceptions as the Shamrocks claimed a state title. He led the basketball team in scoring his senior year, and turned to track in the spring where he won five state meet gold medals. His junior year, he won the 100-yard dash, the 180-yard low hurdles and the long jump. As a senior, he won the low hurdles and the long jump and qualified for the state meet in all five field events as well as the 100 and the 880-yard relay. At Nebraska, he started at cornerback for three years, earning All-Big Eight honors twice and second-team All-America honors as a senior. He went on to play five years in the NFL.​

Joe Blahak, Star on Two National Championship Teams, Dies

A leading character in one of the most famous plays in Nebraska football history died Monday from an apparent heart attack. After recovering from a stroke about five years ago, Joe Blahak, 65, died in

huskers.com

A leading character in one of the most famous plays in Nebraska football history died Monday from an apparent heart attack. After recovering from a stroke about five years ago, Joe Blahak (Blah-ha), 65, died in Lincoln. His memorial service was Thursday morning at Sacred Heart Catholic Church at 31st and “S” Streets.​

A junior cornerback for Bob Devaney’s top-ranked Nebraska team in the 1971 Game of the Century against second-ranked Oklahoma, Blahak made the signature block that allowed Johnny Rodgers to “tear” the Sooners “loose from their shoes” on a fabled 72-yard touchdown run in Norman, Okla.​

In a heavily promoted nationally televised showdown, that play was the difference in Nebraska’s 35-31 win and remains prominent in television vaults and media archives because 1) it chronicled history; 2) it created some controversy; and 3) it became the first Big Red brick in Johnny “The Jet’s” path to winning a Heisman Trophy one year later.​

Even though Blahak wasn’t a pregame headliner on Nebraska's 1970 star-studded stage, the Columbus, Neb., native became a first-team All-Big Eight cornerback as a junior one year later when Nebraska won the second of its back-to-back national championships in 1971. The Huskers thrashed Alabama, 38-6, in the Orange Bowl and Blahak ended the Crimson Tide’s best chance for a touchdown, intercepting a pass in the end zone.​

Blahak finished his Husker career as a senior second-team UPI All-American in 1972, the same senior season that Rodgers won the Heisman Trophy before Nebraska went on to win its third consecutive Orange Bowl, 40-6, over Notre Dame.​

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Troy Hill​

Happy 33rd birthday to Troy Hill
Born Aug 29, 1991 in Youngstown, Ohio
Patriot CB, 2015; no uniform #
Claimed off waivers from Cincinnati on December 25, 2015


The Pats released Troy Hill five days later, before he ever had a chance to play in a game in a Patriot uniform. Hill has played in 113 games with 58 starts since 2015, with the Bengals, Rams, Browns, Rams again, and Panthers. He is currently entering his second season with Carolina.


Dec 25, 2015:

Patriots Claim Cornerback Troy Hill From Bengals, Waive Asante Cleveland - NESN.com

FOXBORO, Mass. — The New England Patriots are never completely inactive when it comes to roster moves, even on Christmas Day. The Patriots claimed cornerback Troy Hill off waivers from the Cincinnati Bengals on Friday. They waived tight end Asante Cleveland to make room for the rookie defensive...

nesn.com

The New England Patriots are never completely inactive when it comes to roster moves, even on Christmas Day.​

The Patriots claimed cornerback Troy Hill off waivers from the Cincinnati Bengals on Friday. They waived tight end Asante Cleveland to make room for the rookie defensive back.​

Hill was promoted from the Bengals’ practice squad Dec. 5. He was waived Dec. 24. Hill has six tackles in three games with the Bengals this season as a cornerback/special teamer.​

The 5-foot-11, 182-pound Oregon product ran a 4.54-second 40-yard dash at his Pro Day in March with a 6.65-second 3-cone, 4.15-second short shuttle, 34-inch vertical leap and 10-foot, 2-inch broad jump.​

Hill joins Malcolm Butler, Logan Ryan, Leonard Johnson and Justin Coleman on the Patriots’ cornerback depth chart.​

Dec 30, 2015:

Patriots waive CB Hill, re-sign DL Kitchen

FOXBORO — The Patriots made a few moves on Wednesday afternoon before beginning their on-the-field preparations for Sunday’s game in Miami. They released corner Troy Hill and re-signed defensive lineman Ishmaa’ily Kitchen, who was with the team for a week earlier this month and inactive for New...

www.nbcsportsboston.com

The Patriots made a few moves on Wednesday afternoon before beginning their on-the-field preparations for Sunday's game in Miami.​

They released corner Troy Hill and re-signed defensive lineman Ishmaa'ily Kitchen, who was with the team for a week earlier this month and inactive for New England's win over the Titans.​

The Patriots announced that they had claimed Hill off of waivers from the Bengals on Dec. 26. The 5-foot-11, 180-pound rookie out of Oregon did not practice with the team before receiving his release.​

Patriots coach Bill Belichick sounded optimistic about Hill's potential future in New England during a conference call earlier this week.​

"Troy was a good player at Oregon," Belichick said. "We watched him in preseason. He played against Cleveland a couple of weeks ago. We just felt like he was a guy we would want to take a look at at that position. One as you know, that we haven’t had a tremendous amount of depth at all year so we claimed him. We’ll see how it goes but we’re looking forward to working with him."​

In order to make room on the 53-man roster for Hill and receiver Chris Harper over the weekend, the Patriots announced that they had waived tight end Asante Cleveland and receiver Leonard Hankerson. Cleveland and Hankerson were both claimed soon thereafter by the Chargers and Bills, respectively.​

Nov 14, 2021:

Troy Hill injury: Browns CB had 'movement in all extremities' after scary moment vs. Patriots

Browns cornerback Troy Hill suffered a scary neck injury against the Patriots, but he had "movement in his extremities" according to CBS.

www.boston.com

Browns cornerback Troy Hill suffered a scary neck injury in the fourth quarter of the Patriots‘ 45-7 victory on Sunday, but according to the Browns, Hill had movement in his extremities after he was taken off the field.​

Hill attempted to tackle Patriots wide receiver Jakobi Meyers, but he missed and appeared to hit his head on Meyers’s midsection. Meyers scampered into the end zone for his first career touchdown, but the celebration was marred by Hill’s injury.​

Hill remained on the field for a long time, and both Browns and Patriots players formed a semi-circle around him as trainers attended to him. Trainers brought out a backboard for Hill, then put him on a stretcher and wheeled him away.​

​

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
More August 29 Birthdays​

Happy 26th birthday to Mason Kinsey
Born Aug 29, 1998 in Demorest, Georgia
Patriot WR/PR, 2020 practice squad; uniform #84
Signed to the practice squad on September 8, 2020


Mason Kinsey was undrafted out of Division III Berry College. In four seasons there he had 203 receptions for 3,343 yards and 50 touchdowns. Kinsey helped the Vikings win four consecutive Southern Athletic Association championships, and earn three straight places in the NCAA Division III playoffs. He was a three-time All-SAA first-team honoree, and was a third-team D3football.com All-American as a senior.

The Patriots released Kinsey from the practice squad on October 1, 2020, re-signed him on October 19, and released him a second time on November 18. He originally signed with Tennessee in 2020, and re-signed with the Titans in 2021. In three seasons there he has appeared in nine games with two receptions and 13 punt returns.


Sept 6, 2020:

Report: Pats sign Division III WR Mason Kinsey to practice squad

Berry Vikings wide receiver Mason Kinsey is one of 16 players set to join the New England Patriots practice squad.

www.nbcsportsboston.com

Patriots sign WRs Mason Kinsey and Kristian Wilkerson to the practice squad

Oct 19, 2020:

Patriots Re-Sign WR Mason Kinsey to the Practice Squad; Release WR Devin Ross from the Practice Squad.

​

Aug 5, 2022:

Kinsey Faces 'Battle of his Life'

After two years of obvious development, the wide receiver out of Division III Berry College once again is a long shot to make an NFL roster.

www.si.com

Happy 44th birthday to Chris Simms
Born Aug 29, 1980 in Ridgewood, NJ
Patriot coaching assistant, 2012
Signed as an offensive quality control assistant coach on March 26, 2012


March 26, 2012:

Chris Simms hired by New England

The Patriots have hired Chris Simms, a league source confirms. It sounds as though Simms, who played quarterback for the Buccaneers, Titans and Broncos, will do a bit of everything with the Pats, on both the coaching and personnel sides. He is well-connected to the team: his father, Phil, was...

www.boston.com

It sounds as though Simms, who played quarterback for the Buccaneers, Titans and Broncos, will do a bit of everything with the Pats, on both the coaching and personnel sides.​

He is well-connected to the team: his father, Phil, was quarterback of the Giants when Bill Belichick coached there, and Simms played for Josh McDaniels in Denver.​

Early in the 2006 season, when he was still with Tampa Bay, Simms suffered what turned out to be a ruptured spleen and lost over five pints of blood; he underwent emergency surgery after the game in which he suffered the rupture to have the organ removed, and the massive blood loss was almost fatal.​

Other players born on August 29 with a New England connection:

- Akeem King, 32 (1992)
Draft Pick Trade
On Sept 1, 2012 the Patriots sent a 2015 seventh round pick (249th overall) to the Rams for WR Greg Salas. That draft pick got traded again, and was eventually used by Atlanta. King played in 34 games with the Falcons and Seahawks from 2015 to 2019.

- Fred Brown (1905-1979)
Born and raised in Dedham; Dedham High School
Fred Brown was a guard who played for the Staten Island Stapletons in the thirties.




And some other pro football players born on August 29:

- Jay Ratliff, 43 (1981)
Four-time Pro Bowl NT for the Cowboys played from 2005 to 2015.

1-on-1 With Jay Ratliff

- Tommy Casonova, 74 (1950)
Three Pro Bowls in a six-year NFL career for the Bengal safety and punt returner in the 70s.

Tommy Casanova (1995) - Hall of Fame - National Football Foundation

footballfoundation.org

- Carl Banks, 62 (1962)
Overshadowed by Lawrence Taylor, Banks was an excellent linebacker who won two Super Bowl rings with the Giants and is a member of the NFL's All-1980s Team.

Banks, Carl – Greater Flint Area Sports Hall of Fame

gfashof.org

https://michigansportshof.org/inductee/carl-banks/

NFL's All-Decade Team of the 1980s | Pro Football Hall of Fame

www.profootballhof.com

- Jamal Lewis, 45 (1979)
In week two of 2003 Lewis rushed for 295 yards, breaking Corey Dillon's single-game rushing record of 278 yards. He led the NFL in rushing with 2,066 yards, falling just 40 yards short of Eric ****erson's NFL record and was named the Offensive Player of the Year.

This Day in History: Jamal Lewis' record-breaking day

Lewis rushes for 295 yards! | Pro Football Hall of Fame

www.profootballhof.com

- Eddie Murray, 68 (1956)
The kicker is also part of the All-1980s Team, twice leading the NFL with field goal percentages in excess of 95%. He appeared in 250 games from 1980 to 2000.

https://michigansportshof.org/inductee/eddie-murray/

NFL's All-Decade Team of the 1980s - SPECIAL TEAMS/COACHES | Pro Football Hall of Fame

www.profootballhof.com