PatsFans.com Menu
PatsFans.com - The Hub For New England Patriots Fans
PatsFans.com - The Hub For New England Patriots Fans

Today In Patriots History July 14: Pete Brock

Fun historical team facts.
Status
Not open for further replies.

jmt57

Moderator
Staff member
PatsFans.com Supporter
2024 Weekly Picks Winner
2025 Weekly Picks Winner
Joined
Aug 13, 2005
Messages
23,777
Reaction score
19,716
Today in Patriots History
Pete Brock


Happy 70th birthday to Pete Brock
Born July 14, 1954 in Portland, Oregon
Patriot center/offensive lineman, 1976-1987; uniform #58
Pats 1st round (12th overall) pick in the 1976 draft, from Colorado




Peter Anthony Brock played in 154 games with 88 starts with the Pats, and also appeared in eight playoff games. At the time those 154 games played ranked as the sixth most in franchise history. Among the honors Brock received were the Unsung Hero Award in 1979; Jim Lee Hunt Award (best Patriot lineman) in 1984; the Ed Block Memorial Courage Award (NFL player that exemplifies a commitment to sportsmanship and courage) in 1985; the 1986 Miller Lite NFL Lineman of the Year; and was named center for the Patriots All-Decade Team for the 1990s. Pete Brock was a solid, resilient player who persevered through multiple injuries and surgeries. He is part of a lineage of fine centers the Patriots have had dating back to Jon Morris from the American Football League days. Pete Brock worked on pre- and post-game Patriots radio broadcasts for twenty years (1996-2015), and served as the president of the New England Patriots Alumni Club.


November 21, 2018:
Born July 14, 1954) The Brock brothers, Peter and Stan from Vernonia, were just two of four football players in the family. Born four years apart, they would follow very similar paths to long and successful grid iron careers.​

Both starred at Jesuit High School; both played collegiately at Colorado; both were the 12th overall selection of their respective NFL drafts and both played in the Super Bowl.​

Pete came first, a high school and college All-American as a center, he was named to Colorado’s team of the century. He played his entire 12-year NFL career for the New England Patriots.​

He proved to be one of the more versatile linemen ever to play the game, filling in as a guard, tackle, wing back, as well as long snapper. He played four different positions in one series of a game and made one career catch for a touchdown. Pete Brock lasted a dozen years in the league despite a series of knee injuries.​

The Brock brothers shared one more experience following their careers, both have served as NFL broadcasters.​



November 7, 2018:
In the mid-1970s, Colorado Football had a substantial anchor to their offense and locker room in Pete Brock.​

In his four-year tenure, which ended as the 12th overall pick in the 1976 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots, he earned several honors. A co-captain as a senior, the versatile offensive lineman was named a first-team All-American by The Sporting News in 1975, a Hula Bowl All-Star, and a first-team Academic All-Big Eight member in 1974. Brock was also later recognized as a first-team member on CU's All-Century team in 1989.​

Brock was the highest draft pick by a CU offensive lineman at the time - surpassed 21 years later by Chris Naeole (at No. 10). He credits his time at CU for being such a sought-after player.​

"It was against great competition back in the old Big Eight," Brock said. "To succeed in front of that competition helped me to gain an NFL career."​

. . .

For Brock, football was also about family. Stan Brock, Pete's younger brother, followed Pete's footsteps and played football at Colorado before being drafted into the NFL as the 12th overall pick of the New Orleans Saints in 1980. Since Pete was four years older than Stan, he never got to see his brother play live until their matchup in the pros.​

"The first time I saw him live was across the sidelines, so it was kind of an odd sensation and feeling," Brock said.​

The siblings lined up against each other multiple times, but Pete never lost, which is something he will never let his little brother forget. "I'm proud to announce that the Patriots were 5-0 against any team that Stan played on."​

The elder Brock also will never forget one cherished moment, as an offensive lineman, catching a touchdown pass in the NFL.​

In his rookie year, the Patriots weren't quite sure where to line him up, so they mixed him in everywhere. At Shea Stadium against the New York Jets, where Joe Namath lined up on the other sideline, Brock's number got the call.​

"I'll never forget being in that huddle and one of the veteran offensive tackles looked at me and said, 'If you drop it, you're walking home,'" Brock said. "I blocked the linebacker and turned out like he beat me. Steve Grogan threw the ball and it looked like a full moon coming at me. It didn't look spectacular, but I caught it. It was a lot of fun. So, I'm one for one in this league."​





PATRIOT GREAT: Pete Brock, who stills holds the distinction of being the only player in New England Patriots history to play every position on the offensive line, gets ready to snap the football to quarterback Tony Eason, one of many backs he protected during an illustrious 12-year pro football career.



The 1985 AFC Championship Game is my favorite in a Patriots uniform. We traveled to the Orange Bowl in Miami to take on the Dolphins after road playoff wins over the New York Jets and Los Angeles Raiders. We were big underdogs in Miami where the Patriots had lost 18 straight road game. Our head coach, Raymond Berry, challenged the offensive line to control the line of scrimmage and the clock to keep Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino on the bench. We answered the challenge, rushing for 255 yards while our defense forced six turnovers. It was the greatest game I ever played in – not that I had the greatest game, but winning with a game plan that featured the offensive line so prominently to reach the franchise’s first Super Bowl was an incredible feeling. We “Squished the Fish” and broke the Orange Bowl jinx to win the AFC Championship.​





May 26, 2016:
Q: What was your single favorite game as a Patriot?​

A: The AFC Championship game in Miami, in the Orange Bowl, breaking the curse after the ‘85 season, on our trip to Super Bowl XX. Beating them down there in the rain, and held the ball for 40 minutes, it was an offensive lineman’s dream.​

Q: Favorite teammate(s)?​

A: You know what was really cool about the era I played? Although they (current players) are getting paid lots of money because we struck and got free agency after the ‘87 season, so we were all together for a long period of time. Steve Nelson lockered next to me because his number was 57, mine was 58. So we got to know each other pretty well. A lot of us raised our families. We’re all about the same age. John Hannah was my roomate on the road for 10 years during that period, and he was a good friend of mine. Steve Grogan is one of the greatest guys I know, still today.​

Q: If you could go back in time and play Super Bowl XX again, what would you do differently.​

A: We ran the ball through the playoffs. Tony Eason threw the ball 13 times in that AFC Championship game, three for touchdowns, but we just pounded people. That’s what we did and we did well. If we could do it over again, I’d like to see – we might lose – but I’d like to see us go down swinging with your best stuff. Our first 12 plays from scrimmage that day were pass plays, and by the time that was over, the game was over. It snow balled.​

Q: How good was teammate and NFL Hall of Fame guard John Hannah?​

A: The best I’ve ever seen, then and still, no question.​

Q: How tough was Steve Grogan?​

A: One of the toughest guys I’ve ever been around mentally. And he’d call his own game. He’d step into the huddle and he’d say, okay, O-line, I need four yards. And you’d tell him the play and you’d run it. Now you went to the line telling the guy you’d get him four yards. When he stepped into that huddle, it was almost church-like.​



Nov 12, 2013:
Pete Brock still the team player | Patriots.com
Known as Mr. Versatility during his 12-year career with the New England Patriots, Pete Brock played every position on the offensive line.

Unsung hero is a term thrown around a lot in sports-often a description for those individuals who work hard and do all the right things but might not necessarily get all the glory. This is especially true for offensive linemen in football, like Pete Brock, who worked in the trenches and may have been unknown to some fans because he was not a marquee, skill player. There are definitely occasions though, on and off the gridiron, when linemen stand out. The moments on the field may make a super star, but it's those opportunities away from the game that define a champion.​

Pete Brock was honored by the Gridiron Club of Greater Boston with their "Man of the Year" award. This honor is given to a former football player who not only demonstrated great skills on the field, but who has continued to make a difference by giving back to the community.​


2018:
A first-team All-American by The Sporting News as a senior in 1975, when the United Press International named him second-team … A first-team Academic All Big-Eight team member as a junior in ’74 … Played in 1976 Hula Bowl … Majored in Biology at CU … He played for the Patriots in 154 career NFL games over a 12-year career from 1976 through 1987 (88 starts, 78 at center, six at tackle and four at guard), and scored a touchdown on a 6-yard reception against the New York Jets as an eligible receiver as a rookie in 1976 (teammates thus nicknamed him, “Deep Threat”) … He majored in Environmental Biology with a minor in History at CU … Has been employed or involved in several businesses since his playing days, including working in research and development for NIKE and in technology with Wyatt Software (Lake Oswego, Ore.) and Frontline Technologies (Boston) as he has excelled as an entrepreneur … Was a pre- and postgame analyst on New England’s radio network for 20 seasons (1996-2015) … Now in his 21st year as the president of the Patriots’ Alumni, and is heavily involved in motivational speaking and productivity programs for people of all ages.​


November 25, 2013:
Brock’s brother Joe has special needs and he has been successful in life because of the support of others in the Brocks’ native state, Oregon. It’s this experience that has motivated Pete to do the same for others here in New England and specifically at the Hockomock Area YMCA.​

"This is near and dear to my heart," said Brock. "Being involved with the Legends Ball that goes to support HAY’s Integration Initiative, it really is terrific."​



March 3, 2016:
“Pete was part of a unit that led the way to the NFL single-season rushing record which still stands today,” Gower, a dedicated Pats fan, noted. “He was a three-time Pro Bowl alternate, and among his many accolades was being named to the Patriots All-Decade Team for the 1980s.”​

Among Brock’s many credits is being named the 1986 Miller NFL Lineman of the Year, being named to the University of Colorado Team of the Century, and in 2009 being inducted into the prestigious Oregon Sports Hall of Fame.​

“In his post-football life, Pete has taken the unique lessons he learned from the perspective of an NFL offensive lineman on what it takes to win and applied them to business and where he has excelled as an entrepreneur,” Gower said.​


Pete has been in involved in a variety of businesses including the Research and Development division of Nike and as founder and president of Frontline Technologies, Inc., a systems integration and custom software development company that was later acquired by CheckFree Investment Services.​





 
Today in Patriots History
Todd Rucci


Happy 54th birthday to Todd Rucci
Born July 14, 1970 in Upper Darby, PA
Patriot RG, 1993-1999; uniform #71
Pats 2nd round (51st overall) pick of the 1993 draft, from Penn State



1995: Todd Rucci talks with QB Drew Bledsoe in the Patriot locker room​


Todd Rucci played in 85 games with 75 starts for Bill Parcells and Pete Carroll, and was named to the Patriots all decade team for the 1990s. In his post-football career Rucci has held a variety of positions, including executive director of Pennsylvania Lottery and member of the Penn State Board of Trustees.

June 19, 2011:
Life after the Patriots: “After retiring, the banker who was handling my financials asked if I’d be interested in working with him, specializing in pro athletes. There was some arm twisting and some very clear lines on my end that if we’re going to this, we need to do it right because from what I had seen, no one had done it right. We launched the private banking sports division close to six years ago and it’s been great. We have a wealth of good clients, from young, to mid-career, to retired, from starting quarterbacks to free agents, and everybody in between. It’s a good mix and I really enjoy it.”​

Memories as a Patriot: “I talk to [Drew] Bledsoe almost weekly and we always laugh about different times. One of the biggest for us was when we made that run in 1996, and just the feeling of the first time the Patriots were getting back into it and being a team to be reckoned with. The Fog Bowl against Pittsburgh with Curtis Martin going crazy. Then the Jaguars game for the AFC Championship, and knowing after the game that you were playing in the Super Bowl. The program kept growing after that and it was neat to be a part of that. I remember what it was like my rookie year in 1993, between ownership and the change with Mr. Kraft coming aboard, and three different head coaches – [Bill] Parcells, [Pete] Carroll, and [Bill] Belichick. You see where it is now, and knowing you were a minor blip on the screen, it was neat to be a part of something like that.”​

How being an NFL player has helped him in his career: “I think it’s the No. 1 asset. There are a lot of financial advisors out there, and I don’t think there is anyone with that magic investment. Where I can make a difference is knowing what players go through, what it takes throughout the season, the personal end, what they need and what they want, and differentiating between the two. You try to let them understand that this NFL time in their life is brief and they need to capture as much as they can. The odds are that they’ll be retired in three-and-a-half, four years. At that point, you’re in your late 20s and you have the whole rest of your life to live. That’s the hardest uphill battle, making them realize you won’t always wear a jersey.”​

Being known as a Patriot: “Part of coming back to Lancaster County was to get away from being known as Todd Rucci, New England Patriot. I just wanted to get back to being some old knucklehead who lives down the street. I got that, just a regular Joe. But whenever I get back to New England, like last weekend [for an alumni event], I remember how great it was to be a New England professional athlete. New England folks just absolutely love their athletes, period. It’s great to come back and talk to fans. I’m just a fat lineman who never got any headlines unless I gave up a sack, and I’m talking to people who remember everything, certain plays that only I would know. That sense of pride gets rekindled. I felt fortunate that I started my career as a Patriot and my last game was in a Patriots uniform. I was always proud to be a New England Patriot and the further I get away from being an active player, and looking at the role of the alumni, it’s more and more clear what that means. The Kraft family has done such a good job building the franchise and pride in New England for football. They’ve given fans something that everyone can embrace and I’m proud to have been part of something so great.”​



Nov 7, 2013:



Feb 21, 2014:



Feb 2, 2018:
(1:34 video)



July 30, 2018:



 
Today in Patriots History
Josh Miller


Happy 54th birthday to Josh Miller
Born July 14, 1970 in Queens, NY
Patriot punter, 2004-2006; uniform #8
Signed as a free agent on March 15, 2004




After Ken Walter had struggled mightily with punting duties, the Patriots signed the 33 year old Miller to a five year, $5 million contract with a $1 million bonus early in 2004. Josh Miller had been a surprise cut by the Steelers, where he had played the previous eight seasons.

March 15, 2004:

October 28, 2004:

Miller appeared in 42 consecutive games (plus five playoff games) with the Pats. Josh suffered a shoulder injury in a 2006 35-0 win over Green Bay, and was placed on injured reserve; he was released early in training camp in 2007.

November 25, 2006:

August 16, 2007:


Josh Miller averaged 43.6 yards on 175 punts during his three seasons with the Patriots. Over twelve years Josh Miller played in 165 NFL games, averaging 43.1 yards on 750 punts. He also appeared in 11 playoff games, averaging 40.9 yards on 59 punts. In the Super Bowl 39 victory over Philadelphia he had a good game, averaging 45.1 yards on seven punts. During the playoffs his teams went 7-4; a near-perfect 6-1 while with the Pats, and 3-3 with Pittsburgh - with all three of those losses to New England.
 
Today in Patriots History
Darrelle Revis


Wow, time flies. Has it really already been ten years since Darrelle Revis played for the Patriots?


Happy 39th birthday to Darrelle Revis
Born July 14, 1985 in Aliquippa, PA
Patriot CB, 2014; uniform #24

The Patriots signed Revis on March 12, 2014, less than 24 hours after he had been released by Tampa Bay - and (not so) coincidentally, a day after Aqib Talib left to sign with Denver. The contract was technically for two years, but in reality it was a one-year, $12 million deal; the second year was there just to spread the cap numbers over two seasons. He lived up to the name of Revis Island, blanketing opposing receivers all year long. Revis was named an All Pro for the fourth time in his career in 2014 - and earned a ring that the 7-time Pro Bowler was never going to get with the Jets. While we spent many years hating the guy based on the team he played for, there is no denying that Darrelle Revis was a vital component to the Patriots fourth Lombardi Trophy.





February 28, 2013:

March 12, 2014:

Feb 20, 2017:

Sept 17, 2020:

August 5, 2023:


 
Today in Patriots History
David Viaene


Happy 59th birthday to David Viaene
Born July 14, 1965 in Appleton, Wisconsin
Patriot OL, 1989-1991; uniform #70
Signed as a free agent on March 30, 1989




David Viaene played in 20 games for the Patriots, with eight starts. He had originally been an 8th round draft pick by the Oilers in 1988 out of Division-2 University of Minnesota at Duluth; in 1992 he signed as a free agent with the Packers. He is now the owner-operator of a property management company in Wisconsin.



July 7, 2016:






Other football players with New England area connections born on this date:

- Ed Lawrence (1905-1961); born and raised in Fitchburg, the back played a couple seasons in the early NFL, including for the Boston Bulldogs in 1929.
Hometeam football flashback: CMass schools stocked NFL teams | Worcester Telegram

- Lou Ghecas (1918-1997); the Danbury High School Hall of Famer was a halfback for the 1941 Philadelphia Eagles, but WWII interrupted his NFL career. He also played minor league baseball and after the war worked in the FBI for 26 years, until his retirement.
Lou Ghecas | Danbury Athletics Hall of Fame

- Riley Smith (1911-1999); second overall pick by the Redskins - in what was the first ever NFL draft in 1936 - in that team's final season of playing in Boston.
Alabama's Riley Smith | Remember the Rose Bowl




And some of the other pro football players born on 7/14:

- Rosey Grier, 92 (7/14/32); All Pro DT played 11 seasons in the NFL for the Giants and Rams. After retirement he worked as Bobby Kennedy's bodyguard, a big, tough guy nobody would mess with. Unforunately all the muscle in the world is no match for a bullet. Grier was the person who subdued and took the gun away from Sirhan Sirhan when RFK was shot and killed. Grier was also one of the first former football players to transition to television acting, with 37 credits to his name.

- Ken Burrough (1948-2022); Double Zero was a Pro Bowl WR for the Houston Oilers, and led the NFL in receiving in 1975. Not bad for a guy who, similar to Julian Edelman, was strictly a quarterback in college.

- Ken Willard, 81 (7/14/43); 49er RB scored 62 touchdowns in his career, and ranked 8th in NFL all time career rushing yardage when he retired in 1974.

- W.K. Hicks, (1942-2020); CB had 40 career interceptions, including an AFL best nine in 1965.

- Rolando McClain, 35 (7/14/89); MLB from Alabama was the 8th overall selection in the 2010 draft, and screwed that up with failed drug tests, a prison sentence and three suspensions. He is supposedly attempting a comeback this season.

- Harrison Butker, 29 (7/14/95); how in the world did he think that telling women college graduates at their commencement that their best plan would be to not utilize their degrees in the least, and instead it would be a smart choice to be content to stay home barefoot and pregnant?

- Danny Noonan, 59 (7/14/65); Cowboys DL and amateur golfer.
 
Today in Patriots History
Patriots sign their sixth round draft pick



July 14, 2000:
The Patriots sign sixth round draft pick Tom Brady to a three year rookie contract, valued at $864,000. The deal included a $38,400 signing bonus and first year salary of $193,000. It would be the first of seven contracts between the Pats and TB12 over twenty seasons.



July 14, 2009:
Patriots sixth round pick Myron Pryor to a 4-year contract

The defensive lineman was a four-year starter at Kentucky, where he earned second team All-SEC honors. In 2006 against Ole Miss, Pryor made two tackles, one sack, one interception and one fumble recovery while forcing two fumbles.​

At 6-foot-1, 310 pounds, Pryor will likely learn a lot from Vince Wilfork. Pryor is the third rookie signed by the Patriots so far, joining offensive lineman Rich Ohrnberger and cornerback Darius Butler.​

The Patriots and rookie defensive lineman Myron Pryor have agreed to terms on a contract, according to a league source. Pryor, who played at Kentucky, was drafted in the sixth round (207th overall).​

The 6-foot-1, 310-pound Pryor appeared in 46 games (34 starts) over his college career, playing defensive tackle in the Wildcats’ 4-3 alignment and showing some explosion in the pass rush.​

One of Pryor’s top collegiate performances came against Louisville and highly regarded center Eric Wood (28th overall, Bills), when he recovered a fumble and returned it 72 yards for a touchdown and also forced a fumble that a teammate returned for a score. Pryor was named SEC Defensive Player of the Week for the effort, becoming the first Kentucky player in 16 years to earn the honor.​



July 14, 2007:
The Patriots have signed inside linebacker Oscar Lua, one of their seventh round picks, the team announced today. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.​

The team also confirmed the signings of sixth-round picks Mike Richardson and Corey Hilliard.​

The Patriots also have struck an agreement with fifth-rounder Clint Oldenburg. So at this point, the team has signed four of its nine draft choices.​



July 14, 2004:
Patriots release S Jason Perry | Patriots.com
Perry, 27, was signed by the Patriots as a free agent on Feb. 6, 2004 and was allocated to NFL Europe for its 2004 season. While in Europe, Perry started at safety in all 10 games for the Amsterdam Admirals and recorded 57 tackles (48 solo). In four NFL seasons, Perry has played in 36 games with eight starts and has notched 56 tackles (46 solo) and intercepted two passes.​

The 6-foot, 200-pound native of Passaic, N.J., has played in the NFL for San Diego (1999-2001), Minnesota (2002) and Cincinnati (2002). He was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the fourth round (104th overall) of the 1999 NFL Draft. As a rookie for San Diego in 1999, he played in all 16 games with five starts and recorded a career-high 26 tackles (21 solo). He played in just one game for the Chargers in 2000 before ending the season on injured reserve. In 2001, played in 14 games with three starts while recording two interceptions including one returned 37 yards for a touchdown. He was released by the Chargers following 2002 training camp, but was signed by the Minnesota Vikings (10/03/02) and played in three games before being waived (12/16/02). He was claimed off waivers by Cincinnati (12/17/02) and played in two late-season games for the Bengals. He became a free agent following the 2002 season and spent the 2003 season out of football.​



July 14, 2000:
Patriots Sign Rookie Draftees Antwan Harris And Tom Brady; Waive Two Others | Patriots.com
The New England Patriots announced the signing of two sixth-round draft choices from their 2000 draft class today. The signings are Virginia cornerback Antwan Harris and Michigan quarterback Tom Brady. Terms of the agreements were not disclosed. In a subsequent move, the Patriots waived rookie free agents Scott Pospisil and Jamel Smith.​

Harris, 23, was drafted by the Patriots in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL draft, 187th overall. The 5-foot-9-inch, 190-pound cornerback was a four-year letterman at Virginia, where he totaled 111 tackles during his career. The Raleigh, N.C. native helped Ravenscroft High to a state championship in 1994 and was voted the prep football Player of the Year.​

Brady, 23, was also drafted by the Patriots in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL draft, 199th overall. The 6-foot-4-inch, 210-pound quarterback had a 20-5 record as a two-year starter for Wolverines. He finished his career ranked third in school history with 710 pass attempts and 442 completions and finished fourth with 5,351 yards. His 35 career touchdowns is the fifth-best career performance in school history.​

Both Pospisil and Smith had signed with the Patriots as rookie free agents following the 2000 NFL draft on April 19. Pospisil played one season as a defensive end at Iowa, where he started six of 11 games. Smith was a three-year starter at linebacker at Virginia Tech.​

Patriots claim Tony Ortiz
Ortiz, a 6-foot, 225-pound special teams performer, was originally claimed off waivers from the Dallas Cowboys on July 14, 2000. The South Bronx, N.Y. native played his collegiate football for Nebraska.​



July 14, 1997:
Pats re-sign ERFA Lovett Purnell, the TE who was a 7th round 1996 draft pick from Valley Forge Military Academy



July 14, 1992:
Patriots re-sign free agent Shawn McCarthy. A 12th round draft pick by Atlanta in 1990, McCarthy was released as part of final roster cuts by the Pats in 1991 after a poor performance in the final preseason game. He was re-signed three weeks later to replace Bryan Wagner - who had a 29.1 yard net in three games and once punted into his teammates' back - as the team's punter. McCarthy had a 93 yard punt in a week ten game at Buffalo in '91, which to this day still the third longest in NFL history. Shawn owns the franchise record for most punts in a single season with 103 in 1992; that also ranks 22nd most in the NFL record books. And his 4,227 yards punting that season is a third Patriot record McCarthy owns - with those last two titles being due in large part to the ineptitude of **** MacPherson's offense that season. McCarthy was released before the start of the 1993 season, succeeded by Mike Saxon.



July 14, 1988:
Patriots sign tweflth round (#321 overall) draft pick David Nugent, a defensive tackle from Boston College

Not to be confused with DE David Nugent, the Pats sixth round draft pick from Purdue. The Boilermaker played in 15 games with the Pats over two seasons, whereas the BC Eagle never played in the NFL.



July 14, 1982:
New England signs fourth round pick Brian Ingram, linebacker from Tennessee who plyed for four seasons with the Pats.

Patriots also signed free agent Mark Flood, a guard from the University of Connecticut. Flood, 6-4 and 253, attended the Dallas Cowboys' training camp the previous year.



July 14, 1980:
Patriots sign kicker Ian Sunter, a CFL veteran who had played for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, and most recently the Toronto Argonauts.
He had also signed a contract with the Pats six years prior on this same date.



July 14, 1974:
Kicker Ian Sunter is signed as a free agent. Sunter was born in Dundee, Scotland and moved to Burlington, Ontario in 1966 at the age of 14. He knew nothing about north american football until a high school football coach saw how well he kicked on their soccer team, and recruited him to play football. The 21 year old had already played two seasons for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the CFL; at the age of 19 he kicked the game winning field goal in the 1972 Grey Cup.

Sunter was competing for the placekicker job with another European rookie, John Smith, to replace the 1973 kicking tandem of Bill Bell and Jeff White. Smith won the competition (where would we be without the snoplow game?), and Sunter was cut on August 25; he ended up playing in the CFL for seven seasons, as well as for the Lions in 1976 and Bengals in 1980.


July 14, 1972:
New England trades WR Ron Sellers to Dallas for a third round draft pick. Sellers was a two-time All-American at Florida State who was selected with the sixth overall pick of the 1969 draft. He was named to the Pro Bowl as a rookie when he was second in the AFL with 26.1 yards per catch and six touchdowns. But injuries limited him to ten games in 1971, and with Jim Plunkett throwing almost exclusively to Randy Vataha his production plummeted. With the addition of Darryl Stingley in the 1972 draft, Sellers was deemed to be expendable by the new coaching staff. Sellers began the '72 season as a backup, then replaced Bob Hayes in the Cowboys starting lineup; he later won a super bowl ring as a reserve with Miami. As for the draft pick they received, the Patriots used that on a running back from Alcorn A&M named Charles Davis; he was waived at the end of training camp and never played a single down in the NFL.
 
Today in Patriots History
Todd Rucci


Happy 54th birthday to Todd Rucci
Born July 14, 1970 in Upper Darby, PA
Patriot RG, 1993-1999; uniform #71
Pats 2nd round (51st overall) pick of the 1993 draft, from Penn State



1995: Todd Rucci talks with QB Drew Bledsoe in the Patriot locker room​


Todd Rucci played in 85 games with 75 starts for Bill Parcells and Pete Carroll, and was named to the Patriots all decade team for the 1990s. In his post-football career Rucci has held a variety of positions, including executive director of Pennsylvania Lottery and member of the Penn State Board of Trustees.

June 19, 2011:
Life after the Patriots: “After retiring, the banker who was handling my financials asked if I’d be interested in working with him, specializing in pro athletes. There was some arm twisting and some very clear lines on my end that if we’re going to this, we need to do it right because from what I had seen, no one had done it right. We launched the private banking sports division close to six years ago and it’s been great. We have a wealth of good clients, from young, to mid-career, to retired, from starting quarterbacks to free agents, and everybody in between. It’s a good mix and I really enjoy it.”​

Memories as a Patriot: “I talk to [Drew] Bledsoe almost weekly and we always laugh about different times. One of the biggest for us was when we made that run in 1996, and just the feeling of the first time the Patriots were getting back into it and being a team to be reckoned with. The Fog Bowl against Pittsburgh with Curtis Martin going crazy. Then the Jaguars game for the AFC Championship, and knowing after the game that you were playing in the Super Bowl. The program kept growing after that and it was neat to be a part of that. I remember what it was like my rookie year in 1993, between ownership and the change with Mr. Kraft coming aboard, and three different head coaches – [Bill] Parcells, [Pete] Carroll, and [Bill] Belichick. You see where it is now, and knowing you were a minor blip on the screen, it was neat to be a part of something like that.”​

How being an NFL player has helped him in his career: “I think it’s the No. 1 asset. There are a lot of financial advisors out there, and I don’t think there is anyone with that magic investment. Where I can make a difference is knowing what players go through, what it takes throughout the season, the personal end, what they need and what they want, and differentiating between the two. You try to let them understand that this NFL time in their life is brief and they need to capture as much as they can. The odds are that they’ll be retired in three-and-a-half, four years. At that point, you’re in your late 20s and you have the whole rest of your life to live. That’s the hardest uphill battle, making them realize you won’t always wear a jersey.”​

Being known as a Patriot: “Part of coming back to Lancaster County was to get away from being known as Todd Rucci, New England Patriot. I just wanted to get back to being some old knucklehead who lives down the street. I got that, just a regular Joe. But whenever I get back to New England, like last weekend [for an alumni event], I remember how great it was to be a New England professional athlete. New England folks just absolutely love their athletes, period. It’s great to come back and talk to fans. I’m just a fat lineman who never got any headlines unless I gave up a sack, and I’m talking to people who remember everything, certain plays that only I would know. That sense of pride gets rekindled. I felt fortunate that I started my career as a Patriot and my last game was in a Patriots uniform. I was always proud to be a New England Patriot and the further I get away from being an active player, and looking at the role of the alumni, it’s more and more clear what that means. The Kraft family has done such a good job building the franchise and pride in New England for football. They’ve given fans something that everyone can embrace and I’m proud to have been part of something so great.”​



Nov 7, 2013:



Feb 21, 2014:



Feb 2, 2018:
(1:34 video)



July 30, 2018:




Rucci, a member of the All-‘90s team? You ****ting me?!? Is Max Lane on that team as well?
 
Today in Patriots History
Josh Miller


Happy 54th birthday to Josh Miller
Born July 14, 1970 in Queens, NY
Patriot punter, 2004-2006; uniform #8
Signed as a free agent on March 15, 2004




After Ken Walter had struggled mightily with punting duties, the Patriots signed the 33 year old Miller to a five year, $5 million contract with a $1 million bonus early in 2004. Josh Miller had been a surprise cut by the Steelers, where he had played the previous eight seasons.

March 15, 2004:

October 28, 2004:

Miller appeared in 42 consecutive games (plus five playoff games) with the Pats. Josh suffered a shoulder injury in a 2006 35-0 win over Green Bay, and was placed on injured reserve; he was released early in training camp in 2007.

November 25, 2006:

August 16, 2007:


Josh Miller averaged 43.6 yards on 175 punts during his three seasons with the Patriots. Over twelve years Josh Miller played in 165 NFL games, averaging 43.1 yards on 750 punts. He also appeared in 11 playoff games, averaging 40.9 yards on 59 punts. In the Super Bowl 39 victory over Philadelphia he had a good game, averaging 45.1 yards on seven punts. During the playoffs his teams went 7-4; a near-perfect 6-1 while with the Pats, and 3-3 with Pittsburgh - with all three of those losses to New England.

Dude was a breath of fresh air after 3 years of punk-ass ***** punting from Walter… I was so ****ing pissed-off when Miller was injured and that weak little **** was re-signed; but Billy “liked” him, so…
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
What Does An Early Look At The Patriots’ 53-Man Roster Prediction Look Like?
MORSE: Final Patriots Draft Analysis
Patriots News 04-26, Meet The Patriots’ 2026 Draft Class
MORSE: Patriots Day Three of NFL Draft, UDFA Signings
Patriots Grab A Big Offensive Tackle in Round Six On Saturday
Patriots Take a CB With Their First Pick on Day 3
Wolf Cites ‘Untapped Potential’ After Patriots Select Notre Dame Tight End Raridon
Patriots Trade-Up Landed Them a Defensive Menace in Jacas
TRANSCRIPT: Eliot Wolf Night Two Press Conference 4/24
MORSE: Patriots Don’t Sit Back, Team Trades up to Get Their Guy
Back
Top