Today In Patriots History
Players who share a birthday with Ty Law
Besides Ty Law there are a few other (far less well known) Patriots born on this date.
Happy 79th birthday to Hubie "The Rabbit" Bryant
Born Feb 10, 1946 in Pittsburgh
Patriot PR/KR/WR, 1971-1972; uniform #45, #84
Claimed off waivers from Pittsburgh on Sept 9, 1971
Pats résumé: two seasons, 13 games (2 starts); 14 receptions, one TD; 25.2 yards average on 10 kickoff returns
In a 1971 28-20 victory versus Houston, Bryant had five receptions for 79 yards – including a 10-yard TD catch from Jim Plunkett that gave the Pats a lead they never relinquished. That was the season that gave Pats fans of that era a glimmer of hope. After winning just two games the previous season the Pats finished 6-8 with the rookie Plunkett under center.
Hubie Bryant grew up in the Pittsburgh suburb of Penn Hills, PA. He began his NFL career in 1968 with Cleveland as an undrafted rookie from the University of Minnesota. A 5'10, 170 lb speedster who ran a 4.2 40 in high school, Bryant played for his hometown Steelers in 1970 before joining the Patriots, and spent seven years playing professional football between the NFL, CFL and WFL. After his playing days ended Bryant was a coach at Virginia Union University, St. Paul College and Virginia University of Lynchburg. Bryant has been with the Pittsburgh Job Corps Center since 2015.
HUBIE BRYANT, AS A MEMBER OF THE STEELERS As is oftentimes the case with you young folks, and no shade intended, you tend to think that it all just happened yesterday, when in fact, truth be told, “ALL THAT GLITTERS AIN’T GOLD AND EVERYTHING NEW IS OLD!” Case in point, “Hip Hip Hooray,” the...
newpittsburghcourier.com
Happy 46th birthday to Mel Mitchell
Born Feb 10, 1979 in Rockledge, Florida
Patriot S, 2006-07; uniform #24
Signed as a 27-year old veteran free agent on April 4, 2006
Pats résumé: two seasons (one on IR), 10 games, 11 tackles
April 4, 2006:
Jan 24, 2008:
The New England Patriots placed safety Mel Mitchell on the reserve/injured list today with a biceps injury. Mitchell played in 10 regular-season games and one playoff game for New England this season and totaled 11 special teams tackles.
Mitchell, 28, was signed by the Patriots as an unrestricted free agent from the New Orleans Saints on April 4, 2006. The 6-foot-1-inch, 225-pound safety has played in 54 career games for the Saints (2002-05) and Patriots (2006-07). He has been featured primarily on special teams, totaling 75 career special teams tackles in his 54 NFL games. In 2006, Mitchell was placed on the reserve/injured list with an arm injury (8/7/06) and missed the entire season.
After Graduating From Rockledge High School Mitchell Made His Mark On Collegiate Football. It started at Rockledge High School.
spacecoastdaily.com
In memory of Rodrigo Barnes
Born Feb 10, 1950 in Waco, Texas
Died May 16, 2023 at the age of 73 in Dallas
Patriot LB 1974-1975; uniform #59, #55
Claimed off waivers from Dallas on Nov 11, 1974
Pats résumé: two seasons, six games, one fumble recovery
Rodrigo Barnes was a seventh round draft pick by the Cowboys in 1971, from Rice - where he was on of that school's first black student athletes. At one time he had been projected to go much earlier than that, but his draft stock fell due to teams being wary of his being a vocal proponent of civil rights. He played in six games for the Patriots and is credited with one fumble recovery. Barnes earned a super bowl ring with the Raiders in 1976 but had to retire the following year after multiple knee injuries.
From 1979 to 1981 Barnes was a general manager and coach in the USFL. He went back to college to get his masters and was in the education field since 1983. Rodrigo Barnes spent nearly all of his post-NFL career as an assistant principal in Garland, Texas.
Athlete, Educator, Activist
riceowls.com
The newspaper clippings, some faded and difficult to read but every single one clear in their awe and admiration, hint at a legend in the making....
www.dallasnews.com
Happy 76th birthday to Irvin Mallory
Born Feb 10, 1949 in Glen Allen, Virginia
Patriot S, 1971; uniform #43
Claimed off waivers from Cincinnati on Sept 14, 1971
Pats résumé: two games
Irvin Mallory was a late draft pick by the Bengals in 1971, from Virginia Union. He played in the first two games of the 1971 season for the Patriots, with one kickoff return for 19 yards. Mallory was inducted into the Virginia Union Hall of Fame in 2010.
The Virginia Union University Athletic Hall of Fame will welcome 10 new members to its ranks when Monroe Beard, James Howard, Derrick Johnson, Eunice Johnson, Herman
vuusports.com
Happy 26th birthday to Caleb Jones
Born Feb 10, 1999 in Indianapolis
Patriot OT, 2024 practice squad; uniform #76
Signed to the practice squad on Sept 3, 2024 after being waived by Green Bay
Pats résumé: one full season on the practice squad; tallest player in franchise history
The Patriots have signed tackle Caleb Jones to their practice squad, who at 6-foot-9 is the tallest player in franchise history.
www.cbsnews.com
Other pro football players born on February 10 with a New England connection:
Jim Schmedding, 79 (Feb 10, 1946)
1971 offseason
On Feb 1, 1971 the Pats acquired the guard from San Diego for a 1972 sixth round draft pick.
Schmedding, who played in 24 games for the Chargers from 1968-70, failed to make the roster and never played for the Patriots.
Jim Waskiewicz, 81 (Feb 10, 1944)
Draft Pick Trade
On November 27, 1965 the Boston Patriots made an ill-advised trade, sending Jim Colclough and a 1966 4th round pick to the Jets for QB John Huarte. The Jets used that pick on Waskiewicz, who also later played for the Bengals, Vikings and Falcons. Huarte was a 1964 Heisman Trophy winner but was stuck on the bench behind Joe Namath. He was viewed as an eventual replacement for Babe Parilli at QB but that never materialized; he started just one game as a career backup in the AFL and NFL, going 8-20 in two seasons with the Patriots. Colclough had been a solid flanker for the Patriots - who had to relinquish a third round draft pick to get him back.
Jim Rourke, 68 (1957)
Born in Weymouth; BC High; Boston College
Jim was an offensive tackle in the NFL from 1980 to 1988, primarily with the Chiefs.
He is one of five players born in Weymouth to play in the National Football League.
Jim Rourke filled in for the Bengals | The Boston Globe
Jim Rourke (1999) – Varsity Club Hall of Fame | Boston College Athletics
A standout at Boston College High School, Jim Rourke continued his distinguished playing career at Boston College. A three-year starter at offensive guard/tackle, he was noted for his incredible blocking techniques. He started every game in his junior and senior seasons and was selected to play in both the Blue-Gray Game and the Senior Bowl. He enjoyed a six-year NFL career, playing six seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs and one each with the New Orleans Saints and the Cincinnati Bengals.
Don Nelson (Feb 10, 1903 - Oct 26, 1980)
Born in Cambridge MA
Left tackle for the 1926 Hammond Pros and Canton Bulldogs.
Elijah Wilkinson, 30 (Feb 10, 1995)
UMass
The 6’6, 329 pound lineman went undrafted in 2017, but has appeared in 79 games with 45 starts for Denver and several other teams over eight seasons.
Elijah Wilkinson (68) Offensive Line - 2015: Started at right tackle in all 10 games in which he appeared Blocked for a rushing attack that averaged 142.2 yp...
umassathletics.com
Ray Monaco (1918-2002)
Born and raised in Providence; Central High School in Providence; Holy Cross
Ray was an NFL offensive lineman in the mid forties.
Tarik Black, 27 (Feb 10, 1998)
Born in Hamden CT; Cheshire (CT) Academy
WR has been with several teams, appearing in one NFL game; spent 2024 on Miami's practice squad.
Don Deeks (1923-1995)
Boston Yanks
The Oregon native was the 31st overall pick of the 1945 draft. He played left tackle for Boston at Fenway Park from 1945-1947, and later played for the Packers.
Also, one obituary:
Steve Furness (Dec 5, 1950 - Feb 10, 2000)
Born in Providence; Bishop Henricken High School (Warwick RI; University of Rhode Island
The defensive tackle was a four-time super bowl champion with the Steelers, playing in 106 games from 1972 to 1981.
Stephen R. Furness, Class: 1972 Induction: 1987 Sport(s): Football, Track and Field - Men - STEPHEN R. FURNESS '72, who earned 12 letters as a football and track
gorhody.com
PITTSBURGH (AP) -- Steve Furness, who earned four Super Bowl rings as a defensive lineman with the Pittsburgh Steelers, died Wednesday. He was 49. Furness suffered a heart attack at his suburban
www.newson6.com
Lastly, a PatsFans
News and Notes article from Feb 10, 2000:
It appears that yesterday's release of Ben Coates was made to finalize the signing of safety Lawyer Milloy, who according to the Boston Globe is expected to sign a new contract today.
www.patsfans.com
FOOTBALL NOTES (2/10) — It appears that yesterday’s release of Ben Coates was made to finalize the signing of safety Lawyer Milloy, who according to the Boston Globe is expected to sign a new contract today.
The new contract will make Milloy the richest safety in football. It’s reportedly a seven-year deal that will be worth $36 million, including a signing bonus of around $10 million.
Last season was the most unproductive for Coates since he replaced Marv Cook in 1993. The veteran made only 32 catches, and also had just two touchdowns, his fewest since his rookie season in 1991. Coates had his best season in 1994, when he set the NFL record for catches by a tight end with 96.
After nine seasons with the team, Coates expressed his disappointment with the team’s decision.
“You have to expect these things,” Coates told the Boston Globe. “It’s a business. That’s what you learn. This will give me a chance to start my career again someplace else. It’s good for them. Now they have the highest-paid secondary in football.”
“After nine years this is the way they thank me, real professional. Nobody in the organization even bothered to call me. When Drew and I were combining for all of those passes, we helped to build this organization to where it is. They asked me to cut my salary, I said no.”
. . . . .
The team also filled the quarterbacks coach position yesterday, hiring former New York Giants offensive assistant **** Rehbein.
Rehbein, 44, spent eight years with the Giants, working with the tight ends, receivers, and offensive line. He was also the Vikings assistant offensive coach from 1989-91.
Another Patriots coach will be wearing green and white next season. Former New England defensive line coach Ray Hamilton, who was recently fired by Belichick, was hired yesterday by the Jets to coach their defensive line.
