Today In Patriots History August 31, 2009: Tedy Bruschi announces retirement after 13 seasons

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Tedy Bruschi retires​

August 31, 2009:
Tedy Bruschi announces his retirement

Bruschi's Retirement Marks the End of An Era

It’s truly the end of an era.

www.patsfans.com

Bruschi Wore Patriot Badge Of Honor Well

Bill Belichick described Bruschi as a “perfect player”.

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Images of Tedy Bruschi

A reprint of a February 2005 column that encapsulates the man

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Bruschi - The Perfect Player

www.patsfans.com

Pats’ ‘perfect player’ Bruschi announces retirement

FOXBORO – The Patriots said goodbye today to a man coach Bill Belichick called “the perfect player.” Linebacker Tedy Bruschi announced his retirement after a decorated 13-year career during an emotional, heart-felt news conference…

www.bostonherald.com

Bruschi announces retirement

New England Patriots LB Tedy Bruschi announced his retirement today, closing his 13-year career as one of the most productive Patriots players in the team's 50-year history.

www.patriots.com

New England Patriots LB Tedy Bruschi announced his retirement today, closing his 13-year career as one of the most productive Patriots players in the team's 50-year history. As a team captain, Bruschi's relentless work ethic and on-field intensity helped set the tone for the entire team.​

Bruschi, 36, was originally drafted by the Patriots in the third round of the 1996 NFL Draft. The Arizona product spent his entire 13-year NFL career with the Patriots. Bruschi leaves the football field having played a major role in leading the Patriots to 11 winning records, including nine playoff seasons, eight division championships, five conference titles and three Super Bowl crowns. In Bruschi's 211 career games (including regular-season and playoffs), the Patriots had a 144-67 (.682) record, including a 16-6 (.727) playoff mark.​

Bruschi earned his first Pro Bowl honors following the 2004 season after co-captaining a Patriots defense that allowed just 16.25 points per game, the third fewest in franchise history. Bruschi is the only player in NFL history to return four consecutive interceptions for touchdowns and his career total of four picks returned for scores ranks second in Patriots history. He is tied for fourth in NFL history among linebackers, and Bruschi is the only Patriots linebacker to return multiple interceptions for scores in a single season (2002 and 2003).​

​

Beyond his impressive numbers, fans and his peers revered him for his accomplishments off the field and for his dedication to the New England area. After Bruschi suffered a stroke in February 2005, he dedicated himself to raising funds and awareness to fight stroke along with the American Stroke Association. He established "Tedy's Team," a vehicle to help battle stroke, the number one cause of disability in the United States. Members of Tedy's Team have run in the Boston Marathon and the Falmouth Road Race and have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for stroke research.​

Bruschi played in 189 regular-season games for the Patriots, more than any other linebacker in team history, third among all defensive players and sixth overall in team history. Bruschi played in 22 career playoff games, the highest total in Patriots history and tied for the second highest total of any active player (Adam Vinatieri, 23).​

For his career, Bruschi finished with 1,134 total tackles, 30.5 sacks, 12 interceptions, including four returned for touchdowns, 62 passes defensed, 18 forced fumbles, six fumble recoveries, including one returned for a touchdown and 55 special teams tackles. Bruschi averaged 105 tackles over the last six seasons. His 2003-2008 total of 631 stops are the most on the team over that span. Over that time, the Patriots allowed an average of 17.25 points per game, the second best total in the NFL.​

​

Tedy Bruschi | The Patriots Hall of Fame

www.patriotshalloffame.com

 

[jlu52]

Nobody ever gave more than Tedy. He played with maximum effort on each and every play. He contributed greatly on championship teams, and he still defends the flag like he was playing. Bravo, Tedy Bruschi

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Gino Cappelletti retires​

August 31, 1971:
Gino Cappelletti holds a press conference announcing his retirement


The Duke stated that the decision to retire after 11 seasons was "partly the Patriots and partly mine." Gino was the last of the original Boston Patriots, was one of 20 players active for all of the American Football League's ten years, and one of just three, along with legends George Blanda and Jim Otto, that played in every single one of their team's AFL games, and was the 1964 AFL MVP.

Mr. Patriot was the AFL's all-time leading scorer with 1,130 points (42 TDs, 176 FGs, and 342 PATs) and among the AFL's top-10 all-time receivers in yards and receptions. Cappelletti had two of the top-five scoring seasons in professional football history, with 155 points in 1964 and 147 points in 1961 (14-game seasons). His Patriots team scoring record lasted until it was broken by Adam Vinatieri on December 5, 2005. At the time of his death in 2022, Cappelletti was the Patriots' 12th all-time-leading receiver in receptions with 292 catches and 10th in receiving yards with 4,589 yards. He was fifth in Patriots history in receiving touchdowns with 42, and had the second-most field goal attempts (333) in team history behind Stephen Gostkowski.

Left to right: Larry Garron, Patriots' first PR director, Gerry Moore, and Gino Cappelletti.
Photo from a preseason training camp in the 1960s.​

Cappy was the second AFL player to record three interceptions (off Tom Flores) in a regular-season game, scored 18 points or more in a game ten times, and scored 20 or more points in a game eight times. He also set the AFL single-game record by scoring 28 points in the Patriots' 42–14 rout of Houston on December 18, 1965. Cappelletti is the only player in pro football history to run for a two-point conversion, throw for a two-point conversion, catch a pass, intercept a pass, return a punt, and return a kickoff in the same season. He once kicked six field goals (without a miss) in a 39–10 win at Denver on October 4, 1964, and was one of only two AFL kickers to connect on at least four field goals in each of three consecutive games.

The 1960 Boston Patriots​

Patriots Hall of Fame WR/K Gino Cappelletti Passes Away at 89 | The Patriots Hall of Fame

www.patriotshalloffame.com

Cappelletti earned the American Football League’s (AFL) 1964 Most Valuable Player award and was one of only three players to play in every game in the AFL’s 10-year history, along with Jim Otto and George Blanda. Cappelletti finished his career as the AFL’s all-time leader in points (1,100) and field goals (170).​

Cappelletti became just the second Patriots player to be inducted into the team’s hall of fame in 1992, joining John Hannah. Cappelletti was inducted along with his good friend Nick Buoniconti that year. Cappelletti spent his entire 11-year career with the Patriots from 1960 through 1970 after joining the team from the University of Minnesota. A five-time AFL All-Star selection, he led the AFL in scoring five times and holds the top two scoring seasons in AFL history with 155 points in 1964 and 147 points in 1961. He holds the Patriots single-game record for points in a game with 28 on Dec. 18, 1965 vs. Houston.​

In addition to the Patriots Hall of Fame, Cappelletti was named to the Patriots all-time team during its 50th anniversary season in 2009 and the All-AFL team in 1971.​

Cappelletti still ranks third all-time in Patriots history in scoring with 1,130 career points, as well as 10th with 292 receptions and 12th with 4,589 receiving yards.​

Following his playing career, Cappellletti spent seven seasons (1972-78) in the broadcast booth before returning to the sidelines as the special teams coach from 1979 through the 1981 season on Ron Erhardt’s staff. He returned to the broadcast booth in 1988, where he remained through the 2011 season.​

​

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Ryan Mallett traded​

August 31, 2014:
Patriots trade QB Ryan Mallett to Houston, after rookie Jimmy Garoppolo surpassed the 2011 third round draft pick as Tom Brady's top backup.

REPORT: Patriots QB Mallett Traded to Texans

After an offseason of talk and a preseason that also had its' fair share of whispers, it appears that Ryan Mallett may finally be leaving town after all.

www.patsfans.com

After an offseason of talk and a preseason that also had its' fair share of whispers, it appears that Ryan Mallett may finally be leaving town after all.

According to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, Mallett has been traded to the Houston Texans, although no terms of the trade of have been released just yet.

The move reunites Mallett with former Patriots offensive coordinator and new Texans head coach Bill O'Brien. O'Brien also held the role of quarterbacks coach here in New England during Mallett's rookie season back in 2011.

Mallett had an up and down preseason and didn't exactly impress while he was out there, but most felt that he would remain with the Patriots during the final year of his contract, which expired after the 2014 season. Following Saturday's cuts, it seemed that he would be backing up Tom Brady for at least another season. Now it seems he'll have an opportunity to start in Houston.

UPDATE: According to several reports, New England will receive a conditional seventh round pick for Mallett based on the percentage of snaps he plays for the Texans this season, which could potentially turn the pick into a sixth round selection.

Report: Ryan Mallett Traded to Houston for late pick

Lee Schechter ?@LeeSchechter now RT @RapSheet: Ryan Mallett has been traded to the #Texans, source says Expand

www.patsfans.com

Thread 'Report: Ryan Mallett Traded to Houston for late pick'

Aug 31, 2014

Lee Schechter ?@LeeSchechter now
RT @RapSheet: Ryan Mallett has been traded to the #Texans, source says

Expand

• Mack Herron
• Replies: 454
• Forum: PatsFans.com - Patriots Fan Forum

Post in thread 'Report: Ryan Mallett Traded to Houston for late pick'

Aug 31, 2014

A starting QB for a 6th disgusting.
BB really helping out his friend.

• Love The Drake

Post in thread 'Report: Ryan Mallett Traded to Houston for late pick'

Aug 31, 2014

A SIXTH ROUNDER???

Who the #$%& could you possibly expect to get with a #$%&ing 6TH ROUNDER???

• Off The Grid

Post in thread 'Report: Ryan Mallett Traded to Houston for late pick'

Aug 31, 2014

So it seems the consensus is that Mallett looked like garbage and the Patriots should have cut him rather than wasting the roster spot, and that Houston totally fleeced BB by only giving up a 6th rounder for him.

The consensus makes my head hurt.

• patchick

Post in thread 'Report: Ryan Mallett Traded to Houston for late pick'

Aug 31, 2014

When BB finds out there's no such thing as a conditional 8th round pick he's gonna be wicked pissed!

• PatsWickedPissah

Post in thread 'Report: Ryan Mallett Traded to Houston for late pick'

Aug 31, 2014

Ian Rapoport ?@RapSheet 5m
Terms: The #Texans traded a 2016 conditional 7th round pick for #Patriots QB Ryan Mallett, source said.

Has to take 40% of snaps for that pick to become a sixth. Don't know whether the sixth is 2015 or 16

• manxman2601

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
The end of Tebowmania​

August 31, 2013:
The Patriots waive 13 players in order to get down to the roster limit of 53, a list that included QB Tim Tebow

Patriots Release QB Tim Tebow

With the final roster deadline looming, it appears the Patriots have decided to save a roster spot and are going with two quarterbacks this season.

www.patsfans.com

With the final roster deadline looming, it appears the Patriots have decided to save a roster spot and are going with two quarterbacks this season.​

The bad news is, it looks like Tim Tebow unfortunately is the odd man out.​

ESPN reported Saturday that the team has released Tebow, ending what has certainly been one of the more interesting preseasons in quite some time.​

Tebow had his fair share of ups and downs, including a 1-of-7 for -1 yards and an interception during his second outing against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He sat out the team's third game against the Lions, and then played the entire second half Thursday night against the New York Giants. In that game he played better than he had during the entire exhibition season, finishing 6-of-11 for 91 yards and two touchdowns, although he did throw an interception.​

Overall he finished 11-of-30 (37%) for 145 yards, 2 touchdowns, 2 interceptions and was sacked 7 times.​

Tebow released

per mike reiss

www.patsfans.com

K

Thread 'Tebow released'

Aug 31, 2013

per mike reiss

• KY Pats Fan
• Replies: 371
• Forum: PatsFans.com - Patriots Fan Forum

Post in thread 'Tebow released'

Aug 31, 2013

There is a God.

• Mack Herron

Post in thread 'Tebow released'

Aug 31, 2013

I'm actually a little shocked. Not that I think this is a bad thing at all. I just think that he would have been released a lot earlier if he was gonna be.

Thank god, the Tebow era is over. Time to move on.

• Patriot_in_NY

Post in thread 'Tebow released'

Aug 31, 2013

Ding Dong The Witch Is Dead - YouTube

woo

na na na na na na na na hey hey hey good bye to all the teblowers.

• chasa

Post in thread 'Tebow released'

Aug 31, 2013

Yup. Just saw it on college gameday.

• Shockt327

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Other August 31 Moves​

Some of the other notable August 31 transactions over the years include:

1970: Rookie DT Phil Olsen, the 4th overall pick of the 1970 draft, is waived/injured.
A year later Olsen would walk away as a free agent after Billy Sullivan infamously failed to get the paperwork to pick up his option before the NFL deadline to do so.


1978: 1976 4th round draft pick RB Ike Forte is released, later signs with Washington.


1981: LB Larry McGrew is placed on season-ending injured reserve with a knee injury.
The 1980 2nd round draft pick would return to play in 128 games for the Pats in the eighties.


1982: Ron Meyer cuts LB Bob Golic, a 2nd round pick in 1979 from Notre Dame.
The Browns claim Golic on waivers, convert him to nose tackle, and he becomes one of the NFL's best at NT over the next 11 years. Meyer, in his first season as an NFL head coach, kept LB Tim Golden on the roster instead. Golden lasted in the NFL for 3½ seasons, with one start.


2008: Released future Hall of Fame safety John Lynch, and not-future-hall-of-fame WR Chad Jackson.


2009: The Pats release their 2008 third round draft pick, QB Kevin O'Connell.


2012: WR Deion Branch, QB Brian Hoyer and center Dan Koppen are among the group of players waived on roster cutdown day.


2013: LB Jermaine Cunningham and P Zoltan Mesko join QB Tim Tebow as players cut.


2015: WR Josh Boyce, a 2014 4th round pick, is waived.


2018: The 2nd round draft pick from 2015, LB Jordan Richards, is traded to Atlanta for the bare minimum, a 2020 conditional 7th round pick.


2019: David Andrews is placed IR due to a pulmonary embolism (blood clots in lungs.) Rookie 3rdround draft pick Yodny Cajuste is placed on NFI, after having offseason quad surgery. And another rookie draft pick, 4th rounder Hjalte Froholdt, is placed on IR with a shoulder injury. All three offensive linemen would miss the entire 2019 season.


2021: Cam Newton is part of a group of 21 players that are released.


2023: For the second time in his two years in New England, 2nd round draft pick Tyquan Thornton is placed on injured reserve.





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[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Pete Carroll gets win in
1st game as Pats head coach​

August 31, 1997 at Foxboro Stadium
1997 Week One
Sunday, 1:00 pm at Foxboro Stadium
New England Patriots 41, San Diego Chargers 7
Head Coaches: Pete Carroll, Kevin Gilbride
Quarterbacks: Drew Bledsoe, Stan Humphries
Weather: partly cloudy, warm and humid; 80º, humidity 97%, wind 3-8 mph
Television: NBC; Marv Albert, Randy Cross
Odds: Patriots favored by 6½, over/under 42½

- Patriots had a 14-0 lead before San Diego had a first down
- Halftime: Patriots 31, Chargers 0
- Turnovers: SD 3, Pats 0; Willie Clay with a 53-yard pick-six
- Sacks: Pats four, for a loss of 52 yards; Chargers zero
- Net Passing Yards: Patriots 340, Chargers 142
- Bledsoe: 26-39, 340 yards, 4 TD, 0 Int
- Humphries/Jim Everett: 18-38, 194, 1, 1
- Veteran DT Henry Thomas had a sack, forced fumble, fumble recovery and three tackles in his first game with the New England Patriots.


This was the only regular season game in franchise history to be played in August.

The Super Bowl used to be on the last Sunday in January, and working backwards from that date gives you when the season would need to begin. Both the 1996 and 1998 seasons started only a day later, on September 1st, so it's more a calendar fluke than anything else that 1997 had week one games on August 31.

Following the 9/11 attacks which led to an entire week being postponed, Super Bowl 36 was the first to be held in February. The 2002 season returned to the January format with no off week between the conference championships and the Super Bowl, but every season since has added the week off and the Super Bowl in the first week of February.

From a business perspective, the NFL was probably leery about pushback of the season not ending until February. When there was none, they kept the schedule like it is now. The benefit is that the league does not have to go head-to-head with their customers having other plans for a long weekend, still being away at a vacation cottage, competing with backyard barbecues for paying customers or eyeballs watching a television set. That was something the NFL had tried to avoid up until 1977. We could revert to that format though if the league keeps on expanding the length of the regular season and playoffs - or maybe we could have a Super Bowl in March, who knows.

PATRIOTS PASS IT ON QUICKLY

The Patriots can win without Bill Parcells. Was there ever any doubt? “I don’t think that’s ever been a question, really, amongst this locker room and amongst this staff,” Patriots running back David Meggett said.…

www.courant.com

PATRIOTS 41, CHARGERS 7

The Patriots showed they can dominate without former coach Bill Parcells as Drew Bledsoe threw four first-half touchdown passes. “What I hoped it would be like happened,” said Pete Carroll, a winner in his Patriots coaching…

www.chicagotribune.com

The Patriots showed they can dominate without former coach Bill Parcells as Drew Bledsoe threw four first-half touchdown passes.​

"What I hoped it would be like happened," said Pete Carroll, a winner in his Patriots coaching debut. "It was as good as we were dreaming about."​

In the first half, New England scored on five of its six possessions, while the defense recovered two fumbles, forced four punts, sacked Stan Humphries three times and allowed no points. The Patriots knocked Humphries from the game with a dislocated left shoulder in the fourth quarter.​

The Patriots dominated every phase of the game, out-gaining San Diego 424 yards to 227.​

"It's about as good as we could have started out," said Bledsoe, who completed 26 of 39 passes for 340 yards, with touchdowns to Ben Coates, Terry Glenn, Sam Gash and Keith Byars.​

Carroll "comes in, he's got a big smile on his face," Bledsoe said. "He makes you feel excited about taking the field. He makes you feel you can have some fun."​

50-second highlight video:

Memorable Moments: Patriots rout Chargers in 1997 opener

Four touchdown passes by Drew Bledsoe and an interception return touchdown by Willie Clay led the Patriots to a 41-7 victory over the Chargers in the 1997 season opener.

www.patriots.com

1997 New England Patriots: An AFC East Title In Transition – OUAT Sports

ouatsports.com

The 1997 New England Patriots were in an odd dynamic. On the one hand, they were coming off a Super Bowl appearance in 1996, had a rising star at quarterback in Drew Bledsoe and a future Hall of Fame running back in Curtis Martin. On the other hand, they were in transition. Bill Parcells, who had built the Super Bowl team, left to coach the archrival New York Jets. A then-unknown Pete Carroll got his first head coaching opportunity. While the Pats didn’t return to the Super Bowl, they did win another AFC East title.​

The season had an early August 31 start and New England hosted what would be a bad San Diego Chargers team. Bledsoe threw touchdown passes to Coates, Glenn, and running backs Keith Byars and Sam Gash. The quarterback finished the day 26/39 for 340 yards with no interceptions. The result was an easy 41-7 win.​

​

Official NFL Game Summary, with complete play-by-play, team & individual stats, and drive charts:

Viewer - Patriots

Media Archive Suite

patriots.1rmg.com

https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199708310nwe.htm

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[jmt57]

Today in New England Sports History
The Rock from Brockton
The Brockton Blockbuster​

August 31, 1969:
On the day before his 46th birthday, undefeated boxing legend Rocky Marciano dies in a plane crash in Iowa.

Rocky Marciano Plane Crash: Iowa Time Machine August 31, 1969

Iowa Time Machine ⏰: On August 31, 1969, a Cessna 172 crashed near Newton, killing former heavyweight boxing champion of the world Rocky Marciano and two others. Over the course of a professional career spanning 1947-1955, Marciano finished with a 49-0 (43 KOs) record and held the belt from...

www.notesoniowa.com

Iowa Time Machine : On August 31, 1969, a Cessna 172 crashed near Newton, killing former heavyweight boxing champion of the world Rocky Marciano and two others. Over the course of a professional career spanning 1947-1955, Marciano finished with a 49-0 (43 KOs) record and held the belt from 1952-1956.​

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Rocky-Marciano

Rocky Marciano

TO DEFINE Rocky Marciano's career, one only needs to know: 49-0. That is it. Forty-nine fights, forty-nine wins. Marciano is the only world champion to complete his career undefeated.​

Marciano had a 12-fight amateur career during which he won the New England Golden Gloves title before losing to Coley Wallace in the Eastern Championships. It would be his last defeat inside a boxing ring.​

Rocky Marciano – Rhode Island Heritage Hall of Fame

riheritagehalloffame.com

Rocky Marciano, 1923-1969, was the world’s undefeated heavy-weight boxing champion from 1952 to 1956 when he shocked the sports world by retiring at the age of thirty-two.​

Although he came from Brockton, MA, many Rhode Island sports fans adopted him since he fought the majority of his contests in Providence’s now demolished Providence Auditorium on North Main Street. This Rhode Island building became the international mecca for boxing enthusiasts during the early 1950s.​

Born Rocco Marchegiano, Rocky was the son of immigrant parents. Although he did not graduate from Brockton High School, the large sports building is named after him, and he was affectionately known as the “Brockton Bomber.”​

Rocky was undefeated in forty-nine professional fights, the only heavyweight champion to accomplish such a record. Known for his relentless fighting style, and formidable punching power, Marciano has been included by various boxing historians in lists of the greatest boxers of all time.​

Before Mariano, most white boxing champions never fought black athletes. In fact, heavyweight champs such as Jack Dempsey refused to challenge any black contenders. On the other hand, one of Rocky Marciano’s greatest accomplishment is that he fought all challengers, regardless of race. His greatest heavy weight champion fights were pitted against African Americans: Ezzard Charles, Archie Moore, and Jersey Joe Walcott. In a sense, Rocky helped to set the stage for the Civil Rights Movement, which began in the early 1950s. During this period, most sports organizations such as the Boston Red Sox, refused to accept black players.​

Unfortunately, Rocky Marciano met a tragic death in 1969 as a result of the crash of his small plane in Iowa.​

​

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Carl Garrett​

In memory of Carl Garrett, who would have turned 79 today
Born August 31, 1947 in Denton, Texas
Died January 24, 2020, one week short of his 73rd birthday, in Denton
Patriots running back, 1969-1972; uniform #30
Pats 3rd round (58th overall) selection of the 1969 NFL draft, from New Mexico Highlands
Pats résumé: four seasons, 54 games (41 starts); 3,393 yards from scrimmage, 20 touchdowns


Carl Garrett was a third round draft pick by the Boston Patriots in the 1969 'common' draft, from New Mexico Highlands. He led the Pats in rushing yardage in 1971, and ranks 19th in the team's record books with 2,235 career rushing yards for the Pats. Garrett was named to the AFL All-Star team his rookie season when he led the league with 5.0 yards per carry, and was named the Sporting News Rookie of the Year.

Jim Nance and Carl Garrett combined to be a thunder-and-lightning duo in the backfield for a few years. Unfortunately his time with the Patriots consisted of his quarterbacks being Mike Taliaferro, Joe Kapp, and Jim Plunkett's first two years, combined with the inept head coaching of Clive Rush, John Mazur and Phil Bengston.

Dec 12, 1970: Carl Garrett takes a handoff from Joe Kapp​

Highlighted Year: Carl Garrett, 1971

Halfback, New England Patriots Age: 24 3 rd season in pro football & with Patriots College: New Mexico Highlands Height: 5’11” ...

fs64sports.blogspot.com

In college, Garrett set school career records with 3862 rushing yards (averaging 7.4 yards-per-carry), 69 touchdowns, and 418 points scored. He received first-team NAIA All-American honors in 1966 and was a second-team choice in ’67. Garrett was chosen by the Patriots in the third round of the 1969 AFL/NFL draft and, with his great speed, had an immediate impact, rushing for 691 yards, catching 29 passes for another 267 yards, averaging 28.3 yards on 28 kickoff returns and 13.3 yards returning 12 punts, for a total of 1909 combined yards, second-best in the league. He was a second-team All-AFL selection by the NEA and was named to the AFL All-Star Game. Garrett missed time during training camp due to military service and then suffered through an injury-plagued season in 1970, rushing for only 272 yards and accumulating an all-purpose total of 1167.​

Carl Garrett runs for daylight behind Len St Jean's block against the Jets, circa 1970-72​

Carl Garrett has some noteworthy Patriot trivia attached to his name. He is the player that the Patriots sent to Dallas in the bizarre 1971 Duane Thomas trade that was later rescinded after Thomas refused to take a three point stance for Pats head coach John Mazur.


It should be noted that it was Carl Garrett who was the intended receiver on what should have been a turnover on downs in the Ben Dreith Game.


Garrett was later traded to the Bears, spent some time with the Jets, and eventually became a kick returner and backup RB in Oakland. Carl Garrett was blanketed in the end zone when Ken Stabler threw a desperation fourth down pass in his direction on December 18, 1976. That was the play that will live in infamy as one of the worst calls by an official in the history of the NFL - or in the history of all sports, for that matter.

When it comes to numbers, who wore it best for the Patriots?

We tried to come up with the best player to wear each number, and while most were pretty cut and dried, some (like No. 11) are sure to elicit strong debate.

www.patriots.com

30 – Carl Garrett – Solid running back from the 1960s wins out over fan-favorite Mosi Tatupu.​

Hat tip to Pape for this image memorializing Garrett:

Carl Garrett (1947-2020) - Find a Grave Memorial

Professional Football Player. He was selected in the third round of the 1969 draft by the Boston Patriots now known as the New England Patriots. He was named the American Football League's Rookie of the Year after rushing for 691 yards and scoring five touchdowns. The highlight of his career...

www.findagrave.com

Professional Football Player. He was selected in the third round of the 1969 draft by the Boston Patriots now known as the New England Patriots. He was named the American Football League's Rookie of the Year after rushing for 691 yards and scoring five touchdowns. The highlight of his career came in 1977 when he helped lead the Oakland Raiders to a 32-14 win over the Minnesota Vikings in Super Bowl XI. Garrett rushed for 19 yards and caught a pass for 11 yards. During his career, he also played for the Chicago Bears and New York Jets. Upon retirement, he had rushed for 4197 yards and 28 touchdowns in addition to catching 182 passes for 1931 yards and seven touchdowns.​

Paywall, apologies:

Denton native, former NFL running back Carl Garrett dies

Carl Garrett, a Denton native who went on to play nine seasons in the NFL, died on Monday at the age of 72.

dentonrc.com

Something extremely disturbing, regardless of what really did or did not happen, that I was unaware of prior to searching for Garrett's obituary.

June 22, 1985:

Ex-Raider Carl Garrett Sentenced to Prison

A jury has sentenced Carl Garrett, who played on the Oakland Raiders' 1977 Super Bowl team, to nine years in prison for sexually assaulting a 12-year-old girl--despite testimony in his support from the girl's family.

www.latimes.com

A jury has sentenced Carl Garrett, who played on the Oakland Raiders’ 1977 Super Bowl team, to nine years in prison for sexually assaulting a 12-year-old girl--despite testimony in his support from the girl’s family.​

SPORTS PEOPLE; Prison Term for Garrett (Published 1985)

www.nytimes.com

Carl Garrett, the former running back, was convicted of sexually assaulting a 12-year-old girl in Denton, Tex., and was sentenced to nine years in prison. Following the verdict by an all-white jury, Garrett, who is black, insisted that he was innocent and suggested that he was a victim of racism.​

Black people, he said, are ''put in jail all the time for things they didn't do.'' The conviction came despite testimony by some members of the girl's family that tended to support Garrett, a close family friend who had been a visitor at the girl's house. The prosecutor, Lee Gabriel, accused the family of trying to protect Garrett at the expense of the victim, who testified that Garrett had come into her bedroom and tried to have sex with her. ''I didn't touch that child,'' Garrett said. ''I know I didn't do it. What else can I say?'' Garrett, who was the American Football League's rookie of the year with the New England Patriots in 1969, later played with the Chicago Bears, the Jets and the Oakland Raiders.​

Carl Garrett Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College - Pro Football Archives

Checkout the most complete stats available online for Carl Garrett. Get info about his position, height, weight, college, transactions and more at Pro Football Archives.

profootballarchives.com

Carl Garrett Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College | Pro-Football-Reference.com

Checkout the latest stats for Carl Garrett. Get info about his position, age, height, weight, college, draft, and more on Pro-football-reference.com.

www.pro-football-reference.com

Carl Garrett - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Hyped]

17 years since Brewski hung em' up....

And RIP Mallett.....

 

[Actual Pats Fan]

Today in Patriots History
Gino Cappelletti retires​

August 31, 1971:
Gino Cappelletti holds a press conference announcing his retirement


The Duke stated that the decision to retire after 11 seasons was "partly the Patriots and partly mine." Gino was the last of the original Boston Patriots, was one of 20 players active for all of the American Football League's ten years, and one of just three, along with legends George Blanda and Jim Otto, that played in every single one of their team's AFL games, and was the 1964 AFL MVP.

Mr. Patriot was the AFL's all-time leading scorer with 1,130 points (42 TDs, 176 FGs, and 342 PATs) and among the AFL's top-10 all-time receivers in yards and receptions. Cappelletti had two of the top-five scoring seasons in professional football history, with 155 points in 1964 and 147 points in 1961 (14-game seasons). His Patriots team scoring record lasted until it was broken by Adam Vinatieri on December 5, 2005. At the time of his death in 2022, Cappelletti was the Patriots' 12th all-time-leading receiver in receptions with 292 catches and 10th in receiving yards with 4,589 yards. He was fifth in Patriots history in receiving touchdowns with 42, and had the second-most field goal attempts (333) in team history behind Stephen Gostkowski.

Left to right: Larry Garron, Patriots' first PR director, Gerry Moore, and Gino Cappelletti.
Photo from a preseason training camp in the 1960s.​

Cappy was the second AFL player to record three interceptions (off Tom Flores) in a regular-season game, scored 18 points or more in a game ten times, and scored 20 or more points in a game eight times. He also set the AFL single-game record by scoring 28 points in the Patriots' 42–14 rout of Houston on December 18, 1965. Cappelletti is the only player in pro football history to run for a two-point conversion, throw for a two-point conversion, catch a pass, intercept a pass, return a punt, and return a kickoff in the same season. He once kicked six field goals (without a miss) in a 39–10 win at Denver on October 4, 1964, and was one of only two AFL kickers to connect on at least four field goals in each of three consecutive games.

The 1960 Boston Patriots​

Patriots Hall of Fame WR/K Gino Cappelletti Passes Away at 89 | The Patriots Hall of Fame

www.patriotshalloffame.com

Cappelletti earned the American Football League’s (AFL) 1964 Most Valuable Player award and was one of only three players to play in every game in the AFL’s 10-year history, along with Jim Otto and George Blanda. Cappelletti finished his career as the AFL’s all-time leader in points (1,100) and field goals (170).​

Cappelletti became just the second Patriots player to be inducted into the team’s hall of fame in 1992, joining John Hannah. Cappelletti was inducted along with his good friend Nick Buoniconti that year. Cappelletti spent his entire 11-year career with the Patriots from 1960 through 1970 after joining the team from the University of Minnesota. A five-time AFL All-Star selection, he led the AFL in scoring five times and holds the top two scoring seasons in AFL history with 155 points in 1964 and 147 points in 1961. He holds the Patriots single-game record for points in a game with 28 on Dec. 18, 1965 vs. Houston.​

In addition to the Patriots Hall of Fame, Cappelletti was named to the Patriots all-time team during its 50th anniversary season in 2009 and the All-AFL team in 1971.​

Cappelletti still ranks third all-time in Patriots history in scoring with 1,130 career points, as well as 10th with 292 receptions and 12th with 4,589 receiving yards.​

Following his playing career, Cappellletti spent seven seasons (1972-78) in the broadcast booth before returning to the sidelines as the special teams coach from 1979 through the 1981 season on Ron Erhardt’s staff. He returned to the broadcast booth in 1988, where he remained through the 2011 season.​

​

That Gino was not inducted into Canton many decades ago is only one of literally dozens of facts openly, brazenly discriminating against the Patriots, which are not just accepted by the majority including so-called Patriots fans, but lustily celebrated by the majority because it all validates the dominant ignorance, bias and stupidity.

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
The Sixties​

August 31, 1960:
The Boston Patriots trade HB Ger Schwedes to the New York Titansfor Marshall Harris and a draft pick.

Despite being traded before the first real game of the inaugural season, Schwedes has a permanent place in the history of the franchise. Schwedes, who grew up in Nazi Germany and played his college football at Syracuse, was selected by the Patriots in the territorial portion of the AFL's inaugural 1960 draft, therefore becoming the first draft pick in the Pats team history.

In addition, HB Skip Doyle, C Frank Gatski, Vince Paylan, S Leroy Phelps, and DT Walt Mazur are released.

Not sure if the info on Gatski is correct; he was a Hall of Fame center for the Browns who retired after the 1957 season, and worked as a scout for the Patriots in 1960-61; if he came out of retirement he would have been 39 at this point.

Richard "Skip" Doyle

Frank Gatski | Pro Football Hall of Fame

*Frank Gatski*. . Anchored powerful offensive line during Browns' dominant years in AAFC, NFL. . .Strong, consistent, exceptional pass blocker who never missed a game or practice in high school, college or pro football. . . Played in 11 championship games in 12 years with his teams winning eight...

www.profootballhof.com

WALTER J. MAZUR, 65, EX-MARIAN HIGH TEACHER AND PRO FOOTBALL PLAYER

Walter J. Mazur, 65, of Tamaqua R.4 died Sunday, June 27, in Lehigh Valley Hospital, Salisbury Township. He was the husband of Mary Ann (Donish) Mazur. The owner of Walt’s Drive-In, Still Creek, he taught at Marian Catholic High…

www.mcall.com

August 31, 1964:
Linebacker Don McKinnon is placed on the 'injury deferred list'.

The Arlington Mass. native played in 17 games for the Patriots in 1963-64; more info on Don in the previous August 28 entry.





August 31, 1965:
RB Larry Garron is placed on injured reserve.

Safety Dave Cloutier, DT Tony Gibbons and guard Dave Watson are waived.

Cloutier had played in twelve games for the Patriots the previous season, but returned to Maine after being cut to begin a life-long second career in real estate. Prior to signing with the Pats he had been the head football coach at Kennebunk High School in Maine, and played for the Portland Seahawks in the Atlantic Coast Football League.

Tony Gibbons may possibly lay claim to being the first of a very long line of Patriots that went to college at John Carroll University, located a few miles from Cleveland, Ohio.

August 31, 1969:
Exhibition Game Four
Sunday, 2:00 at the Gator Bowl in Jacksonville, Florida
Denver Broncos "at" Boston Patriots
Head Coaches: Clive Rush, Lou Saban
Quarterbacks: Mike Taliaferro, Steve Tensi
Weather: warm, humid, partly cloudy; 87º, 8 mph wind
Attendance: 18,375
Boston Patriots 26, Denver Broncos 10


The league was already considering contingency plans for a relocation of the Patriots franchise, in case of the very real possibility that the team could not come up with a stadium with a capacity of at least 50,000 by 1971, as mandated by terms of the AFL-NFL merger.

The scoring began with a 47-yard TD pass from Mike Taliaferro to Charlie Frazier in the first quarter. The two hooked up again on the first possession of the second half, this time for 43 yards. Gino Cappelletti added field goals of 26 and 33 yards, and Jim Nance capped off a long, 83-yard drive with a one-yard run in the fourth quarter to seal the victory.

Taliaferro finished 14-23 for 170 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions, while Frazier had six receptions for 118 yards and two TD.



Official Game Summary, with complete play-by-play, team & individual stats, and drive charts:

Viewer - Patriots

Media Archive Suite

patriots.1rmg.com

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
The Seventies​

August 31, 1970:
Oakland trades DE Ike Lassiter to the Pats for a 1971 3rd and a 1971 7th.

Phil Olsen is waived/injured.

Dennis Bramlett, Henry Brown, Dan Kennan, Greg Roero, Pete Schmidt waived.

While Lassiter was once a good player, this trade reeked of desperation with no long term plan. Ike was a two-time AFL All Star for Denver and Oakland, but he was on the wrong side of thirty, and the Pats were a team that needed to be looking at a multi-year rebuild.

Billy Sullivan ineptly botched the paperwork for Olsen one year later, allowing the number four overall pick of the draft to walk away as a free agent.

None of the other players ever advanced beyond the developmental squad.

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
The Eighties​

August 31, 1981:
Second-year linebacker Larry McGrew is placed on season-ending IR with a knee injury. The rehab went as planned, as McGrew would return to play in 128 games for the Pats in the eighties. A case could be made that he deserves to be on the Pats All-1980s Team, but since McGrew (98 starts in the 80s) split his time at ILB and OLB, Johnny Rembert (56 starts in the 80s, 72 total) got the nod at ILB next to Steve Nelson.

WR Preston Brown is placed on season-ending IR with a back injury. A sixth round pick in 1980, he would play in nine games with four starts in '82, with four receptions on 13 targets, and one touchdown.

Safety Bill Currier is traded to the Giants for a 1982 eleventh round draft pick.

Currier had played in all 16 games for the Pats in 1980, and would be a starter with the Giants, playing for five more seasons.

The Patriots used that selection on Northern Iowa QB Steve Sandon, who was waived before the start of the season, and never signed with another pro football team.