Today In Patriots History July 2: Happy Birthday to Troy Brown

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Troy Brown​

Happy 54th birthday to Troy Brown
Born July 2, 1971 in Barnwell, South Carolina
Patriot WR/PR/KR/DB, 1993-2007
Uniform #80 (and #86 in 1994)
Pats 8th round (198th overall) selection of the 1993 draft, from Marshall


After initially being cut at the end of his rookie training camp, thankfully no other NFL team bothered to check in on "Bingo". Bill Parcells re-signed the extremely versatile Troy Brown in mid-October, and the rest is history.


Troy Brown has so many iconic and legendary plays they are too numerous to remember and list all of them. A few that come to mind though are his crucial 23-yard catch and run on the final drive of Super Bowl 36; his play in the previous game, the AFCCG at Pittsburgh when he returned a punt for a 55-yard touchdown and followed that up by picking up a blocked field goal attempt, and alertly lateraled to Antwan Harris for a TD; on a sweltering hot and humid day in south Florida catching a sideline pass and racing for an 82-yard overtime game-winning touchdown, thus ending a 13-game losing streak at Miami; the time he alertly caused Marlon McCree to fumble an interception back to the Patriots in the AFCCG versus the Chargers; or being called upon to play defense in mid season - and finishing second on the team with three interceptions.

A walk off (sprint off?) humidity buster that left the locals speechless in Miami (while their stadium sounded like a Pats home game).


Troy Brown celebrating the iconic punt return touchdown with Antwan Harris in the 2001 AFCCG versus Pittsburgh.​

Rather than go on, I highly recommend taking a few minutes to check this piece on number 80's career. Along with a lengthy resume of impressive statistics there are some great quotes from Bill Belichick and Robert Kraft. Bingo indeed...

Fans vote Troy Brown as 2012 Patriots Hall of Fame inductee

Troy Brown's Patriots Hall of Fame Nomination Almost Never Happened, As Receiver Reflects on Nearly Giving Up on Football - NESN.com

FOXBORO, Mass. — No one looked at Troy Brown in October 1994 and saw a Patriots Hall of Famer. About a year and a half earlier, the Patriots took Brown in the draft's eighth round, a round that ceased to exist after that season. Then, Brown was cut in his second training camp with New […]

nesn.com

Touchdowns on blocked field goal, punt return stop Steelers' run to Super Bowl -- Pittsburgh Gazette

PRO FOOTBALL; Patriots End Miami Drought In Overtime (Published 2003)

New England Patriots defeat Miami Dolphins, 19-13, in overtime (M)

www.nytimes.com

Dolphins Falter in Overtime

MIAMI -- The New England Patriots needed two missed field goals and their longest pass play of the season to finally win in the Miami heat. Tom Brady hit Troy Brown on an 82-yard scoring play in ov…

www.theledger.com

Troy Brown worked his way into Hall

FOXBORO — Standing inside The Hall at Patriot Place, Troy Brown tried on his red Hall of Fame jacket for the first time. “It feels good,” he said yesterday, standing next to a large black-framed photo of himself. Tomorrow, the former wid…

www.bostonherald.com

Troy Brown: New England Patriots of the Past

Troy Brown was one of the earliest players to perfectly encapsulate the Patriot Way. A key piece of three championships, Brown spent 15 years in New England

lastwordonsports.com

Troy Brown | The Patriots Hall of Fame

www.patriotshalloffame.com

Patriots WR Troy Brown retires - UPI.com

Troy Brown, the all-time leading receiver for the New England Patriots, has retired after 15 years in the NFL.

www.upi.com

Troy Brown, the all-time leading receiver for the New England Patriots, has retired after 15 years in the NFL.​

He owns New England records for receptions (557), punt returns (252) and punt return yardage (2,625). Brown spent his entire career with the Patriots.​

Known for his versatility, Brown filled in at defensive back for the Patriots in 2004 and is the only New England player to have both a reception and interception in the same game.​

He was selected to the Pro Bowl after the 2001 season in which he amassed 1,119 receiving yards on 101 catches.​

Dec 20, 2003: Troy Brown fends off Jets corner Ray Mickens during the fourth quarter.
The Pats won 21-16 to improve to 13-2, while Herm Edwards' Jets were eliminated and clinched a losing season.



December 6, 2001: Punt returner Troy Brown (#80), eludes Cleveland's Ryan Kuehl (#87), as Lawyer Milloy (#36), at far right, lays out the Browns Dwayne Rudd (#57) with a killer block that helped spring Troy on the way to this 85-yard second quarter punt return for a touchdown that broke a 10-10 tie, and ultimately provided the winning points in New England's 27-16 victory, their fourth in a row.



Nov 30, 1997: Wide receiver Troy Brown makes an 18-yard catch for a touchdown as defensive back Ray McElroy of the Indianapolis Colts misses the tackle.
The fourth-quarter play gave the Pats a 20-10, providing the winning margin in a 20-17 game at Foxboro Stadium

 

[DarrylS]

During the Pats Heyday went to a Troy Brown Bingo at Gillette.. cool night, always liked Troy as a player and as a man.
So many great memories of him as a Patriot..

 

[maust]

Troy 'First Down' Brown an all time fave

 

[signbabybrady]

Mr. Patriot

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Law Firm​

On many other dates BJGE would be the headliner, but he just happens to share a birthday with Troy Brown.


Happy 40th birthday to BenJarvus Green-Ellis
Born July 2, 1985 in New Orleans
Patriot running back, 2008-2011; uniform #42
Signed as an undrafted rookie free agent on May 1, 2008
Pats résumé: four seasons, 53 games (20 starts); 2,064 yards rushing (4.0 ypc), 29 touchdowns
ZERO fumbles in 536 touches

BenJarvus Jeremy Green-Ellis was signed as an undrafted rookie out of Ole Miss, where he was only the second running back in school history with back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons. With Laurence Maroney injured, BJGE was elevated from the practice squad on October 11 to become the team's third RB behind Sammy Morris and Kevin Faulk his rookie season, rushing for five touchdowns.


The next year he was reverted to being used almost exclusively on special teams, getting just 28 touches in 12 games. Then in 2010 Maroney was traded, and after Fred Taylor and Faulk were both injured BJGE became the starting running back by default. He rose to the occasion, rushing for 1,008 yards and 13 touchdowns, while averaging 4.4 yards per carry. But in 2011 the Pats drafted both Stevan Ridley and Shane Vereen relatively early, and it was clear Green-Ellis' days in Foxborough were numbered. Despite splitting playing time with the two rookies as well as Danny Woodhead, BJGE was still productive and counted on for his ability to hold onto the ball near the goal line, as he rushed for 11 touchdowns while gaining 826 yards from scrimmage.

As mentioned above. the Law Firm was well known for his ability to hang on to the ball, not losing a single fumble in the NFL until after he signed with Cincinnati - an amazing streak of 589 touches without a turnover. He started 31 games over two seasons with the Bengals, with 2013 being his final NFL season. BJGE rushed for 29 touchdowns in 53 games with the Patriots, which still ranks as the eighth most in franchise history, and had 2,064 yards rushing with the Pats (17th at the time, 22nd now). In addition he had 183 yards on 47 carries and one touchdown in four playoff games with the Pats. For his NFL career BJGE totaled 4,332 yards from scrimmage with 42 touchdowns.

PATRIOTS-JETS: Benjarvus Green-Ellis has career day in New England win

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Tom Brady finally got plenty of help -- from a running back who...

www.nhregister.com

Hard running effort from BenJarvus Green-Ellis - The Boston Globe

The Patriots running back rushed 15 times for 68 yards and the first postseason touchdown of his career, where he also honored the memory of Myra Kraft after scoring.

www.bostonglobe.com

October 9, 2011: BenJarvus Green-Ellis runs the into the end zone in the second half against the Jete at Gillette Stadium.
The TD gave the Pats a 24-14 lead and proved to be the winning points in the 30-21 victory, as the Patriots improved to 4-1



January 1, 2012: BJGE races away from a Bills defender. The Patriots beat Buffalo 49-21 to finish the season 13-3






















​

BenJarvus Green-Ellis Career Game Log | Pro-Football-Reference.com

Get BenJarvus Green-Ellis Career game log for regular season and playoff games on Pro-football-reference.com.

www.pro-football-reference.com

Pro Football Archives -- BenJarvus Green-Ellis Player Profile

Pro Football Archives -- BenJarvus Green-Ellis Transactions

BenJarvus Green-Ellis - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Rex Burkhead​

Happy 35th birthday to Rex Burkhead
Born July 2, 1990 in Plano, Texas
Patriot running back, 2017-2020 ; uniform #34
Signed as an unrestricted free agent on March 14, 2017
Pats résumé: four seasons, 41 games (8 starts); 1,882 yards, 18 touchdowns;
Six postseason games, 246 yards, three touchdowns; one super bowl ring


After four seasons in Cincinnati, the 5-10, 210 lb back from Nebraska signed a one-year deal with the Pats in 2017 that included a $1.1 million signing bonus, worth a total of $3.15 million. In a week ten 2017 game Burkhead became the first NFL player in forty years to block a punt and also catch a touchdown pass in the same game. The following year Burkhead spent two full months on injured reserve due to a neck injury, but rebounded to play in 23 games over the next two seasons before going on IR with a knee injury on November 28, 2020. The Pats did not attempt to re-sign Burkhead in the offseason, and he signed with Houston on June 1, 2021.


Rex Burkhead appeared in 41 regular season games over four seasons in New England, with 1,882 yards from scrimmage and 18 touchdowns during that time. In the playoffs Burkhead scored three touchdowns for the Pats, with 123 receiving yards and another 123 yards rushing.

In the AFCCG at Kansas City Rex Burkhead scored the go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter, then followed that up with the game-winning touchdown in overtime.​

Rex's father Rick Burkhead was with the Miami Dolphins briefly in 1992.
He also has a non-profit in honor of his friend Jack Hoffman.

Board & Staff | Team Jack Foundation

Team Jack’s caring, driven board and staff is dedicated to ending childhood brain cancer by pushing Team Jack forward every day.

teamjackfoundation.org

Rex Burkhead Career Game Log | Pro-Football-Reference.com

Get Rex Burkhead Career game log for regular season and playoff games on Pro-football-reference.com.

www.pro-football-reference.com

Pro Football Archives -- Rex Burkhead Player Profile

Pro Football Archives -- Rex Burkhead Transactions

Rex Burkhead - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

2019 Patriots Media Guide

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Ben Thomas​

Happy 64th birthday to Ben Thomas
Born July 2, 1961 in Ashburn, Georgia
Patriot defensive end, 1985-1986 ; uniform #99
Pats 2nd round (56th overall) selection of the 1985 draft, from Auburn
Pats résumé: two seasons, 19 games (one start); four playoff games, one sack


On the last day of April in 1985, the Patriots traded their first (16th overall) and third round (75th) picks to San Francisco for the 49ers first (28th), second (56th) and third round (84th) picks. Thomas was chosen with that extra second round pick; with the later first round selection the Pats took Trevor Matich (who had a lengthy NFL career - as a long snapper) and Audrey McMillan (who never played a down for New England - but did go on to become an All Pro corner for Minnesota).


The Niners? They used that first round draft pick on some guy named Jerry Rice....

Ben Thomas lasted less than one and a half seasons in New England, appearing in 19 games with one start and one sack. From '85 to '91 he played in 54 NFL games, and was a starter only in Atlanta during the 1989 season. Thomas went back to his alma mater in 1997 and worked as the Director of Athletic Events from 2005-08; since then he has been Auburn's Director of Player Development.

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Nicholas Grigsby​

Happy 33rd birthday to Nicholas Grigsby
Born July 2, 1961 in Columbus, Ohio; hometown Trotwood, Ohio
Patriot special teamer/defensive tackle, 2005-2007; uniform #92
Signed off Ravens practice squad on November 28, 2017
Pats résumé: two seasons, 14 games (no starts); 42 defensive snaps, 242 snaps on special teams

Signing of Nicholas Grigsby highlights Patriots in-depth scouting

FOXBORO – The Patriots signing of Nicholas Grigsby on Tuesday didn’t elicit many emotions. On the surface, the move adds depth the Patriots special teams unit and linebacker depth chart. Underneath i…

www.providencejournal.com

When the 25-year-old was released by the Rams this past September, the Patriots discussed adding the linebacker, but didn’t have a roster spot. Grigsby ended up on Baltimore’s practice squad. When the Patriots saw linebacker/special teamer Trevor Reilly go down with a head injury last weekend, the team immediately thought of Grigsby and signed him away from the Ravens.​

Why Patriots Have Had Their Eye On Nicholas Grigsby For A While - NESN.com

For the second time in as many weeks, the New England Patriots signed a player off another team’s practice squad. The Patriots on Tuesday snagged linebacker Nicholas Grigsby from the Baltimore Ravens on Tuesday, a week after signing defensive end Eric Lee off the Buffalo Bills’ practice squad...

nesn.com

For the second time in as many weeks, the New England Patriots signed a player off another team’s practice squad.​

The Patriots on Tuesday snagged linebacker Nicholas Grigsby from the Baltimore Ravens on Tuesday, a week after signing defensive end Eric Lee off the Buffalo Bills’ practice squad.​

Grigsby actually played against the Patriots last season as a rookie while he was a member of the Los Angeles Rams. Patriots head coach Bill Belichick liked what he saw from Grigsby in six games and 130 special teams snaps last season.​

“I thought at the end of the year last year for the Rams, he did a good job for them,” Belichick said Wednesday. “Not just in our game but kind of the last third of the season or six games or whatever it was that he did a solid job for them. We saw that when he was released at the beginning of the year this year and talked about him then.”​

“It didn’t really work out at that time, and we didn’t really have a roster spot, but anyway, so forth, as time went on we got into a situation last week where we felt like adding him to the roster would benefit the team,” Belichick said. “But we tracked him from college at Pittsburgh to the Rams to here.”​

The Patriots got significantly banged up at linebacker and on special teams in their 35-17 win over the Miami Dolphins on Sunday. Linebackers Kyle Van Noy, Trevor Reilly and Marquis Flowers, defensive end Trey Flowers and safety/special teams ace Nate Ebner all suffered injuries. Though they play different positions, Grigsby and Ebner are of similar speed and stature, so it’s likely Grigsby will make the majority of his contributions to the Patriots on special teams.​

Patriots 2018 Training Camp Primer - Linebackers | PatsFans.com

The healthy return of Hightower is an absolute priority, we wrote last year he was the one guy on defense they could not replace with anyone on the roster

www.patsfans.com

On the Bubble: Elandon Roberts, Harvey Langi, Ja’Whaun Bentley, Christian Sam, Nicholas Grigsby, Brandon King (STs)​

Grigsby is an ST’s guy and doesn’t offer much on defense. But he filled in well once he was signed after a slew of injuries hit the team in the middle of the season. He’s kind of a long shot to make the roster but with the Patriots emphasis of STs, he’ll be in the mix.​

Nicholas Grigsby appeared in five games for the Patriots in 2017, with five tackles, 14 snaps on defense and 79 on special teams; he also played in all three playoff games. In 2018 he played in nine games, with ten tackles while getting 28 snaps on defense and 163 on special teams. He was released on November 13, 2018 in order to make room for Duke Dawson on the roster. Duke Dwason!.

Grisby was immeditely signed by Detroit, playing in three games for the Lions. In 2019 the Packers claimed Grigsby off waivers from Baltimore, but waived him the next day after a failed physical, making that the last stop of his NFL career.

Nicholas Grigsby - Football - Pitt Panthers #H2P

Nicholas Grigsby (3) LB - 2015: Started all 13 games at Star linebacker...finished fourth on the team with 66 tackles and added 9.5 TFLs and 3.5 sacks...tied...

pittsburghpanthers.com

Nicholas Grigsby Career Game Log | Pro-Football-Reference.com

Get Nicholas Grigsby Career game log for regular season and playoff games on Pro-football-reference.com.

www.pro-football-reference.com

Pro Football Archives -- Nicholas Grigsby Player Profile

Pro Football Archives -- Nicholas Grigsby Transactions

Nicholas Grigsby Contract Details, Salary Cap Charges, Bonus Money, and Contract History | Over The Cap

Nicholas Grigsby contract and salary cap details, including signing bonus, guaranteed salary, dead money, roster bonuses, and contract history

overthecap.com

Career Earnings: $1,200,889

Nicholas Grigsby - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Brandon Copeland​

Happy 34th birthday to Brandon Copeland
Born July 2, 1991 in Baltimore
Patriot special teamer/linebacker, 2020; uniform #52
Signed as a veteran free agent on March 25, 2020
Pats résumé: one season, six games (four starts); 60 defensive snaps, 116 snaps on special teams; 10 weeks on IR


The Patriots signed Copeland to a one-year, $1 million contract a week into free agency in 2020. He played in six games with four starts, making 12 tackles before being placed on IR with a torn pectoral muscle on October 28. Copeland later played for the Ravens and Falcons before retiring in 2023.

Report: Patriots Sign QB Brian Hoyer, LB Brandon Copeland

The New England Patriots have signed veteran quarterback Brian Hoyer and linebacker Brandon Copeland, according to Jim McBride of The Boston Globe: Hoyer’s

www.si.com

As for New England's other signing: they are getting a run-defending linebacker in Copeland. The Patriots actually inquired about Copeland last offseason, but things fell through, per NESN. Now they get to sign him to a one-year, $1.05 million deal, per ESPN’s Mike Reiss. This past season Copeland had 27 tackles, five tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, and one forced fumble. He was a rotational player for New York, playing just 31% of the defensive snaps in 2019, per Pro Football Reference, and was in for a higher percentage of special teams plays (45%). He was ranked as PFF's 50-best linebacker last season. Copeland was listed as one of our top 5 options at LB during free agency for the Patriots.​

Chalk Talk: Thought NFL Linebacker Brandon Copeland Retired? Think Again -- 40 minute audio interview
This career athlete has not stopped working for a day since he left the NFL. Wait until you hear everything (and I mean everything) this entrepreneur, professor, investor, advisor, coach, and philanthropist has been up to.

Transcript of the interview above

Home | Beyond the Basics

www.beyondthebasicsinc.org

Brandon Copeland is a 10 year NFL veteran and a proud native of Baltimore, Maryland. A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton Business School, where he honed his leadership skills both on and off the field.

Copeland is dedicated to giving back – pursuing real estate projects that help build underserved communities, and teaching financial literacy to those without regular access. Brandon also received the NFLPA's Alan Page Community Service Award.

About - Brandon Copeland

www.brandoncopeland.com

Brandon Copeland is a Christian, husband, father, educator, serial entrepreneur, philanthropist and ten year NFL veteran.

In April 2013, he signed as an undrafted free agent with his hometown team, the Baltimore Ravens and played for the Titans, Lions, Jets, Patriots and Falcons over his ten year career, book ending his career in Baltimore in the 2022 season.

Professional athletes are not guaranteed long careers and Cope experienced how fickle the business can be after being fired 4 times in his first two seasons in the NFL. Developing personal financial acumen and making the most out of any money received was a necessity for his survival. This fact has driven him down the path of financial empowerment, creating avenues to make his first hand knowledge accessible so others have the tools to seek, understand, and attain financial freedom.

Brandon Copeland Career Game Log | Pro-Football-Reference.com

Get Brandon Copeland Career game log for regular season and playoff games on Pro-football-reference.com.

www.pro-football-reference.com

Pro Football Archives -- Brandon Copeland Player Profile

Pro Football Archives -- Brandon Copeland Transactions

Brandon Copeland Contract Details, Salary Cap Charges, Bonus Money, and Contract History | Over The Cap

Brandon Copeland contract and salary cap details, including signing bonus, guaranteed salary, dead money, roster bonuses, and contract history

overthecap.com

Career Earnings: $6,724,382

Brandon Copeland (linebacker) - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Copeland interned at the investment bank UBS over two summers during college and has since returned to Penn to teach a financial literacy seminar with Dr. Brian Peterson, the director of Penn's Makuu Black Cultural Center. He has also appeared on the Netflix series “Buy My House” in 2022.

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Kelvin Kight​

Happy 43rd birthday to Kelvin Kight
Born July 2, 1982 in Atlanta; hometown Lithonia, Georgia
Patriot special teamer/wide receiver, 2006; uniform #19
Signed as a free agent on July 31, 2006
Pats résumé: one season, four games (one start); two training camps


Kelvin Kight had 76 receptions for 1,102 yards and four touchdowns in his junior and senior seasons at Florida, during the first two years that Ron Zook took over from Steve Spurrier for the Gators. Kight was not drafted and bounced between the Rams, Packers, NFL Europe, Jaguars and Vikings from 2004-06, appearing in only one NFL game during that time. The Patriots signed him at the start of training camp in 2006, and he spent most of that season on the practice squad.

On December 9 Kight was promoted to the Pats active roster after LB/ST ace Don Davis went on injured reserve, and OL Gene Mruczkowski was released. Kight was used on special teams for four games, though he did also have one nine-yard reception and an eight-yard run; he also appeared in the first two playoff games of that season for the Pats. Kight was re-signed the following April, but was released during cuts at the end of the 2007 training camp, ending his pro football career.


Aug 12, 2005 - a year prior to signing with New England:

Ex-Gator Kight learns his lessons

Receiver Kelvin Kight admits that he didn’t make a good Green Bay Packer. “I didn’t take care of my body, and it hurt me,” the former Florida Gator said after Thursday&#8217…

www.orlandosentinel.com

Receiver Kelvin Kight admits that he didn’t make a good Green Bay Packer.​

“I didn’t take care of my body, and it hurt me,” the former Florida Gator said after Thursday’s practice. “I learned a hard lesson.”​

His lesson was severe — the Packers waived him off the practice squad in June. It made him 0-for-2, for the St. Louis Rams had let him go in October. He had signed with the Rams as a free agent after finishing his Gators career following the 2003 season.​

“It’s good to be back in Florida,” said the Atlanta native, a highly recruited player out of high school who never quite lived up to expectations in college.​

“I’ve grown up a lot, and I appreciate the chances I have, and Jacksonville has given me a chance.”​

The chance may be minimal. Kight is one of the smaller wide receivers in camp at 6-feet tall and is listed generously at 210 pounds.​

He is working with special teams and is not rated higher than third team as a receiver.​

“Tough competition,” Kight said, pointing out that the team’s past two first-round draft choices were wide receivers Reggie Williams and Matt Jones. “But I learned something in St. Louis and Green Bay — no matter where you play in this league, there’s lots of competition.”​

His best Florida statistic was his durability. He didn’t take a redshirt year yet played in 48 games, including 11 as a true freshman. His best year was his last, with 39 catches for 591 yards and three touchdowns.​

Dec 9, 2006:

Patriots sign CB Antwain Spann and WR Kelvin Kight from practice squad; Place LB Don Davis on Reserve -- Patriots.com​

FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. - The New England Patriots signed cornerback Antwain Spann and wide receiver Kelvin Kight from their practice squad today. Terms of the agreements were not disclosed. Spann will wear number 31 and Kight will wear number 19. Additionally, the Patriots placed veteran linebacker Don Davis on the reserve/injured list with a knee injury and released veteran guard/center Gene Mruczkowski.​

Kight, 24, has played in one NFL game – for the Green Bay Packers in 2004 – and was originally signed by the St. Louis Rams as an undrafted free agent on April 30, 2004. The 6-foot, 213-pound wide receiver was signed by the Patriots on July 31, 2006, and has been a member of the team's practice squad for each of the first 13 weeks of the 2006 season. As a rookie, Kight was waived by the Rams on Aug. 10, 2004 and was signed to the Green Bay Packers practice squad on Sept. 6, 2004. He was signed to the Packers' active roster from the practice squad and played in one game and was listed as a day-of-game inactive for three games before being placed on injured reserve on Dec. 14, 2004. He was waived by the Packers on June 14, 2005 and claimed off waivers by the Jacksonville Jaguars. He was with the Jaguars for their 2005 training camp and was released in the final preseason roster cutdown on Sept. 4, 2005. Kight spent most of this past offseason with Minnesota after signing with the Vikings on Jan. 26, 2006. He was released by Minnesota on July 26, 2006.​

Jan 7, 2007: Former Florida Gators Kelvin Kight and Chad Jackson at Gillette Stadium.
The Patriots defeated the Jets in the wild card game 37-16.​

https://inmatesearch.co.henry.ga.us/NewWorld.InmateInquiry/GA0750000/Inmate/Detail/-2702250

Kelvin Kight - Football - Florida Gators

Kelvin Kight (2) WR - A true senior...Signed a free agent contract with the St. Louis Rams in 2004... CAREER: Played in 48 career games, with 20 starts, for

floridagators.com

Kelvin Kight Career Game Log | Pro-Football-Reference.com

Get Kelvin Kight Career game log for regular season and playoff games on Pro-football-reference.com.

www.pro-football-reference.com

Pro Football Archives -- Kelvin Kight Player Profile

Pro Football Archives -- Kelvin Kight Transactions

Kelvin Kight - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Santonio Thomas​

Happy 44th birthday to Santonio Thomas
Born July 2, 1981 in South Bay, Florida; hometown Belle Glade, Florida
Patriot defensive tackle, 2005-2007; uniform #92
Signed as an undrafted rookie free agent from the University of Miami on April 30, 2005
Pats résumé: three seasons, primarily on the practice squad; four games (no starts), three tackles


Santonio Thomas spent most of his time with the Pats on the practice squad. He was promoted to the 53-man roster for both of the playoff games following the 2005 season, but was a healthy scratch in those two games. Thomas was on the roster for seven games in the first half of 2007, appearing in four games and inactive in three others before returning to the practice squad. The Cleveland Browns signed Thomas in September of 2008, and he appeared in 11 games for the Browns.

Sept 16, 2007 in Foxborough: Santonio Thomas wraps up Charger RB LaDainian Tomlinson; Patriots defeat San Diego 38-14 in week two.


​

Santonio Thomas

miamihurricanes.com

Santonio Thomas Career Game Log | Pro-Football-Reference.com

Get Santonio Thomas Career game log for regular season and playoff games on Pro-football-reference.com.

www.pro-football-reference.com

Pro Football Archives -- Santonio Thomas Player Profile

Pro Football Archives -- Santonio Thomas Transactions

Santonio Thomas - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
More July 2 birthdays​

Happy 38th birthday to Clay Harbor
Born July 2, 1987 in Dwight, Illinois
Patriot special teamer/tight end, 2016; uniform #81
Signed as an unrestricted free agent on April 4, 2016
Pats résumé: one season, three games; 25 snaps on offense, 39 on special teams; one super bowl ring

The Pats signed the veteran free agent in March of 2016, after six seasons with Philadelphia and Jacksonville. In a bit of a surprise Clayton Lee Harbor was the fourth tight end on the roster to open up the season, along with Rob Gronkowski, Martellus Bennett and A.J. Derby, beating out Bear Pascoe, Steven Scheu and rookie draft pick Bryce Williams at that position.

In week one Clay was on the field for 22 offensive snaps and 17 special team snaps, but those numbers rapidly dwindled over the next two games. The 6-3, 250-pounder was released on October 3rd and replaced on the tight end depth chart by Greg Scruggs.

What did Clay Harbor do to make the New England Patriots roster? A little bit of everything

New England Patriots tight end Clay Harbor describes the intense competition at his position this summer.

blog.masslive.com

Patriots inform veteran TE Clay Harbor of his release

The Patriots finally decided to trim down their tight ends, informing veteran Clay Harbor he will be released on Monday, according to a source.

www.espn.com

Patriots release TE Clay Harbor

Harbor spent 2016 with Detroit, and finished his NFL career on injured reserve for the entire 2017 season with the New Orleans Saints. His final stat line with the Patriots reads three games played, no receptions, 25 offensive snaps and 39 special team snaps. In 2018 he was a contestant on the television show The Bachelorette; he had to leave the show early though, due to a wrist injury that required surgery - that ironically occurred while playing football with other contestants.

Clay Harbor appeared in 98 NFL games over seven seasons, with 114 receptions and eight touchdowns.




Other pro football players born July 2 with New England area connections:

Kendrell Bell, 47 (7/2/78)
Draft Pick Trade
Kendrell Bell was selected 39th overall by Pittsburgh in the 2001 draft. The Steelers traded up with the Patriots for that draft pick. Once the Pats dropped down they selected Matt Light with draft pick #48. The linebacker from Georgia played in 90 games with 72 starts for Pittsburgh and Kansas City, and was the 2001 Defensive Rookie of the Year.


Gary 'Killer' Kowalski, 65 (7/2/60)
Grew up in Clinton CT, went to Morgan High School in Clinton and played TE at Boston College.
Drafted by the Rams in '83, he was an OL with the Chargers through '88.

Kowalski Hungry to Face Long

The Killer doesn't get the urge as often these days. The hunger pangs just aren't there.

www.latimes.com

Larry Green (1895-1960)
Born in Rockland MA and grew up in Haverhill.
Green was an end and guard for the 1920 Canton Bulldogs and 1921 Hammond Pros.

Georgetown Football History Project

Georgetown Football History Project

www.hoyafootball.com

Nick Hennessey, 39 (7/2/86)
Born in Salem; went to Danvers High School and Andover Academy.
Hennessey was an OT for the 2009 Buffalo Bills and was then in the CFL for three years; he is now the offensive coordinator at Williams.

Nick Hennessey - Assistant Coach - Offensive Line - Football Coaches - University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Athletics

Nick Hennessey is in his second season as the Mocs’ offensive line coach. A former FCS All-American and NFL offensive lineman, Hennessey guided Cole Strange to

gomocs.com

And from the wayback machine:

Frank Muehlheuser (1926-2006)
FB/LB for the 1948 Boston Yanks.

Obituary of Frank P. Muehlheuser Jr. | Martin Funeral Home

Frank P. Muehlheuser Jr. - 79, of the Pittstown Section of Alexandria Twp., NJ died Saturday, April 22nd at home. He is survived by his loving Wife of 57 years, Audrey (nee McCormack), his beloved Daughters; Paula Stead & Krista Shooltz, his devoted Sons; Frank III, Kurt and Erik...

martinfh.com

Bill Chipley (1920-2002)
E/DB for the Boston Yanks, and later head coach at Washington & Lee.

A SPORT FOR GENTLEMEN

Standing shoulder to shoulder with the undefeated football teams of the nation—Michigan State, Alabama, Texas, Mississippi, Colorado and Ohio State—is

www.si.com

Some other notable pro football players born on this date:
Carlos Rogers, 44 (7/2/81)
CB from 2005-14 with Washington, SF and Oakland.

Raiders sign former 49ers CB Carlos Rogers to one-year deal

Former 49ers cornerback Carlos Rogers will be making the short move across the bay to Oakland after signing a one-year deal with the Raiders on Monday.

www.cbssports.com

Hassan Jones, 61 (7/2/64)
Viking WR had 3,824 receiving yards and 24 TD.

Hassan Jones arrested at Tampa airport

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Hassan Jones, a former Clearwater High and Florida State standout, was arrested Wednesday at Tampa International Airport while carrying a weapon inside a...

www.tampabay.com

Mark Clayton, 43 (7/2/82)
Ravens' WR never really quite lived up to his status as a first round draft pick.

An ex-NFL WR thinks he's designed the perfect headphones

Mark Clayton spent much of his career wishing for better headphones; in his NFL retirement, he has created them.

www.si.com

Chad Henne, 40 (7/2/85)
Henne was the career passing leader at Michigan, but went 18-36 as an NFL starter for Miami, Jacksonville and KC - and despite more career picks (63) than touchdown passes (60) has had a 15-year career as a pro football quarterback.

Chiefs QB Chad Henne announces retirement following Super Bowl win | FOX Sports

Quarterback Chad Henne went out on top, retiring from from the NFL following the Chiefs' Super Bowl win.

www.foxsports.com

Joe Pisarcik, 73 (7/2/52)
NYG QB will forever be known for snatching defeat from the jaws of victory with the infamous fumble at the Miracle at the Meadowlands.

Ex-Giants QB Joe Pisarcik Bragged About 'Happy Endings' with Joe Namath, Lawsuit Says

Ex-NY Giants quarterback Joe Pisarcik is being sued for allegedly sexually harassing 3 female employees.

www.tmz.com

​

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Brian Dowling's Long and Winding Road​

July 2, 1973:
New England signs Brian Dowling to a contract. BD had been an 11th round draft pick in 1969 by Minnesota, with the Vikings trying him at quarterback, wide receiver and running back in training camp before releasing him. He played for the Bridgeport Jets of the Atlantic Coast Football League in 1969 at QB and WR while teaching math at Cheshire Academy and serving as an assistant coach at Yale. Dowling was on the Pats taxi squad in 1970-71, then got some playing time in '72 as a backup to Jim Plunkett and holder on kicks.

From September 29, 1969:

Ex-Yalies Hill and Dowling Shine on Professional Teams | News | The Harvard Crimson

Calvin Hill, one of the best players on Yale's football team last year, carried 23 times for 138 yards and

www.thecrimson.com

Calvin Hill, one of the best players on Yale's football team last year, carried 23 times for 138 yards and two touchdowns to help the Dallas Cowboys edge the New Orleans Saints, 21-17 on Sunday. Last week Hill was the NFL Offensive Player of the Week.​

Meanwhile, Brian Dowling is second-string quarterback for the Bridgeport Jets of the Atlantic Coast Football League. Dowling. who was often compared to the legendary Frank Merriwell and was featured last fall in the CRIMSON's "Making of a Hero" was the starting quarterback for the winless Jets until they acquired an NFL veteran.​

From November 20, 1977:

Dowling Gets Phone Call And New Chance to Play (Published 1977)

www.nytimes.com

Brian Dowling, the former star quarterback for Yale who is now 30 years old, was watching the Minnesota-Cincinnati game on television last Sunday as a temporary resident in the Boston home of his wife's parents. Fran Tarkenton of the Vikings had a broken a leg. So had Lynn ****ey of the Packers, the announcers said, and Bill Munson of the Chargers; Brian Sipe of the Browns was out with a fractured shoulder and Terry Bradshaw had left the Steelers’ lineup with a bruised shoulder.​

Dowling's response was less than imperturbable. The pulse may have quickened. Would anyone remember him? Perhaps the telephone might ring for him one more time.​

It did.​

Dowling had spent eight years since he had left Yale after so much acclaim - trying to find a place in pro football with little success. He had been with seven teams in four leagues.​

The evening phone call was from **** Corrick, the Packers’ director of pro personnel. Would Dowling fly to Green Bay on Monday and join the team?​

He would and he did.​

The Packers play the Redskins tomorrow at Washington in the weekly Monday night game and in place of ****ey they will start David Whitehurst, a rookie from Furman who has been in two games briefly, attempting five passes, completing two. Dowling will be the backup quarterback for the Pack.​

Dowling's recent past is illustrative of the dislocation the marginal professional athletes endure in the add-and-subtract process of the varsity squads. He had been the third quarterback of the Redskins last summer and was dropped when Washington made its final squad cut.​

On Oct. 25, the last date the Redskins could re-sign him as a free agent this season under the league rules, came and went as did Nov. 1. So the Dowlings packed up and went home to Boston, moving in with her parents. Dowling began working again with a life insurance company. Short of a miracle or a disaster, the game he had loved to play for much of his life was behind him.​

After Yale, where he starred with Calvin Hill, he had spent one training camp with the Minnesota Vikings, the club that drafted him in 1969; one season with the Bridgeport Jets of the Atlantic Coast League; four with the New England Patriots behind Jim Plunkett; one with the New York Stars-Charlotte Hornets of the World Football League, plus a trial in 1976 with the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian League.​

Corrick and other personnel directors keep lists of free-agent players who might be useful in emergencies like one would of backup doctors or dentists.​

“Dowling played against us last summer in our exhibition game with the Redskins,” said Corrick. “We were impressed and remembered him.”​

The Packers had two quarterbacks, and after ****ey was hurt Corrick had to move quickly. He reached Tim Temerario, the Redskins’ personnel director, who was glad to help out. Not all rivals are so obliging. Temerario had an inoperative Virginia phone number for Dowing, but there was a referral to a number in Boston.​

“It may take some doing,” said Corrick, “but you can almost always track them down.”​

Dowling said last week: “I had pretty much considered myself retired. I wasn't going to have an identity crisis if I didn't play again.”​

Looking back, he had no regrets about the eight years. “So much of this business,” he said, “is getting the opportunity—being in the right place at the right time. I'll be ready Monday and if I do play I expect to do well.”​

•​

Reference was made here last week that the television film of “The Godfather” had captured the rating competition on Monday night against the football game, Dallas-St. Louis. When the national figures were available, they showed that the shares of the audience for the movie and the game were almost the same, 42 percent to 40, respectively. It was the highest rating and the largest audience the Monday night game had ever attracted.​

From 2001:

Dowling, Brian - Cleveland Sports Hall of Fame

Brian Dowling is an athletic legend at St. Ignatius High School. He led his team to a City Basketball title, sinking four clutch free throws in the title game’s last 34 seconds to turn a 13 point deficit into a 53-50 victory. He also made the state tennis doubles finals as a sophomore and the […]

www.clevelandsportshall.com

Brian Dowling is an athletic legend at St. Ignatius High School. He led his team to a City Basketball title, sinking four clutch free throws in the title game’s last 34 seconds to turn a 13-point deficit into a 53-50 victory. He also made the state tennis doubles finals as a sophomore and the regional singles finals as a senior. But it was as a football quarterback that Dowling achieved bigger-than-life status. In six high school and college seasons he played in just one losing game, when, as a prep junior in 1963, injuries sent him to a hospital at half-time of the City Championship Charity Game. He avenged that loss in the following year’s Charity Game, breaking loose for a 71-yard TD run and passing for four touchdowns in a 48-6 rout. At Yale, his teams were 21-0-1 in games he played and 5-6 in games he missed with injuries. The tie came in his final collegiate game when Harvard scored 16 points in the final 42 seconds to earn a 29-29 draw and a share of the Ivy League title with Yale. The previous year, his 66 yard touchdown pass with 2:16 left had beaten the Crimson 24-22 for the Ivy League Crown. An honorable mention All-American and the Outstanding Player in New England as a senior, he currently lives in Lowell, Massachusetts.​

July 2, 1973:
The Pats also re-signed Reggie Rucker, who started at wide receiver for the team from 1972-74 on this date

The former BU Terrier had 126 receptions for 1,884 yards and ten touchdowns in his 43 games with the Patriots.

Reggie Rucker, ex-Cleveland Brown who stole from anti-violence nonprofits, files for bankruptcy

Former Cleveland Browns wide receiver Reggie Rucker and his wife filed for bankruptcy, claiming they owe hundreds of thousands to the IRS, creditors and the attorney who represented him when he was prosecuted for embezzling from his anti-violence nonprofits.

www.cleveland.com

July 2, 1975:
The Patriots acquire Bob Howard from San Diego in exchange for a 1976 fifth round draft pick

The cornerback was a second round draft pick in 1967 from San Diego State and had played in 102 of a possible 112 games for the Chargers from 1967 to 1974. Howard took over as the starting left corner in '75, with John Sanders moving from CB to free safety. Bob was a three year starter in New England, missing just one game while picking off ten passes. Over 13 NFL seasons Bob Howard played in 169 games with 147 starts, registering 37 interceptions and ten fumble recoveries.

Former SBHS star dead

The San Diego Chargers wore light blue uniforms trimmed in gold and had lightning bolts on their helmets in 1968 when they played the Los Angeles Rams in an August preseason game. John Hadl was zinging passes for the Chargers, Lance Alworth…

www.pasadenastarnews.com

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
21st Century July 2 News​

July 2, 2001:
Pats release WR Scott McCready

McCready was signed and released multiple times. After spending part of the season on the practice squad he would become the first British-born player to receive a super bowl ring a few months later.

https://www.theintelligencer.com/news/article/Patriots-Sign-Seven-Free-Agents-10568977.php

July 2, 2024:

Patriots sign former Lions LB Jahlani Tavai to three-year deal after 2023 breakout, per report

Tavai started 16 games for New England last year

www.cbssports.com

The Hawaii native enjoyed a breakout in 2023 with five tackles for loss, two interceptions and two forced fumbles. Originally a second-round draft pick of the Detroit Lions in 2019, Tavai spent the first two seasons of his NFL career in Motor City, logging 16 combined starts, primarily at middle linebacker. He signed to the Patriots' practice squad in 2021 and emerged as a staple of the linebacker corps the following year.​

Sources: Pats give extension to emerging star LB Jahlani Tavai

The Patriots and LB Jahlani Tavai have agreed on an extension as the emerging star was entering the final season of his 2022 deal, after first joining New England on the practice squad.

www.espn.com

- New England Patriots linebacker Jahlani Tavai, who tied for second on the team in tackles last year while emerging as a key cog for one of the NFL's top-rated defenses, has agreed to a three-year contract extension, league sources told ESPN.​

The extension has a base value of $15 million that can be worth up to $21 million, per sources.​

Tavai was entering the final season of the two-year extension he signed in November 2022 worth up to $4.4 million. He was scheduled to earn a base salary of $1.625 million in 2024.​

The extension continues an offseason trend for the Patriots under first-year executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf and first-year head coach Jerod Mayo -- first re-signing many of the team's top unrestricted free agents in March, and now moving on to sign players who still had a year remaining on their deals -- a group including running back Rhamondre Stevenson, center David Andrews, defensive tackle Christian Barmore and now Tavai.​

Tavai has appeared in all 17 regular-season games each of the past two seasons, with 28 starts. His 107 tackles in 2023 tied with safety Kyle Dugger behind only linebacker Ja'Whaun Bentley (114).​

Tavai's physicality and intelligence, along with his versatility to play inside and outside linebacker and on the punt protection unit, has contributed to him carving out an important niche.​

July 2, 2024:
Former Patriots director of pro scouting Steve Cargile signs with the Houston Texans.
The Pats had let him go in May.

Texans hire ex-Patriots exec Steve Cargile as senior personnel executive, promote DJ Debick to director of pro scouting

Texans add to personnel department

www.click2houston.com

The Texans hired former New England Patriots director of pro scouting Steve Cargile as a senior personnel executive and assistant director of pro scouting.​

The Texans promoted DJ Debick to director of pro scouting as the replacement for former director of pro scouting Ronnie McGill, whose contract had expired and wasn’t renewed, per league sources.​

Debick, like general manager Nick Caserio, is a fellow John Carroll University football alum.​

Cargile is a former Dallas Cowboys, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Denver Broncos, Cleveland Browns, New York Giants and Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety as the 6-foot-2, 215-pound former Columbia University Ivy League standout played in 16 career games in the NFL after going undrafted.​

McGill was previously with the Patriots as a scout, including contributing to three Super Bowl winning teams, before joining the Texans.​

McGill was a scouting assistant for New England for two years, joining them in 2010, before being promoted to pro scout.​

McGill started his NFL career as a seasonal intern for the Tennessee Titans’ scouting department in 2009.​

From May 14, 2024:

Two Patriots front office members won't return in 2024 | Sporting News

Changes are already happening under Eliot Wolf.

www.sportingnews.com

The New England Patriots officially named Eliot Wolf the team's executive vice president of player personnel on Saturday, and there are already changes coming to the front office under him.​

According to Inside the League's Neil Stratton, Patriots director of pro scouting Steve Cargile and area scout Taylor Redd will not be back with the team for the 2024 season.​

Cargile, 41, is a former NFL safety who joined the Patriots front office in 2011 and took on the role of pro scouting director in 2021.​

July 2, 2025:

Patriots News 7/2: What Will the McDaniels Effect Be?

In today's edition of Patriots news, Josh McDaniels has been in the spotlight as of late, with many wondering just what kind of impact he'll have on the team this season.

www.patsfans.com

 

[captain stone]

Today in Patriots History
Troy Brown​

Happy 54th birthday to Troy Brown
Born July 2, 1971 in Barnwell, South Carolina
Patriot WR/PR/KR/DB, 1993-2007
Uniform #80 (and #86 in 1994)
Pats 8th round (198th overall) selection of the 1993 draft, from Marshall


After initially being cut at the end of his rookie training camp, thankfully no other NFL team bothered to check in on "Bingo". Bill Parcells re-signed the extremely versatile Troy Brown in mid-October, and the rest is history.


Troy Brown has so many iconic and legendary plays they are too numerous to remember and list all of them. A few that come to mind though are his crucial 23-yard catch and run on the final drive of Super Bowl 36; his play in the previous game, the AFCCG at Pittsburgh when he returned a punt for a 55-yard touchdown and followed that up by picking up a blocked field goal attempt, and alertly lateraled to Antwan Harris for a TD; on a sweltering hot and humid day in south Florida catching a sideline pass and racing for an 82-yard overtime game-winning touchdown, thus ending a 13-game losing streak at Miami; the time he alertly caused Marlon McCree to fumble an interception back to the Patriots in the AFCCG versus the Chargers; or being called upon to play defense in mid season - and finishing second on the team with three interceptions.

A walk off (sprint off?) humidity buster that left the locals speechless in Miami (while their stadium sounded like a Pats home game).


Troy Brown celebrating the iconic punt return touchdown with Antwan Harris in the 2001 AFCCG versus Pittsburgh.​

Rather than go on, I highly recommend taking a few minutes to check this piece on number 80's career. Along with a lengthy resume of impressive statistics there are some great quotes from Bill Belichick and Robert Kraft. Bingo indeed...

Fans vote Troy Brown as 2012 Patriots Hall of Fame inductee

Troy Brown's Patriots Hall of Fame Nomination Almost Never Happened, As Receiver Reflects on Nearly Giving Up on Football - NESN.com

FOXBORO, Mass. — No one looked at Troy Brown in October 1994 and saw a Patriots Hall of Famer. About a year and a half earlier, the Patriots took Brown in the draft's eighth round, a round that ceased to exist after that season. Then, Brown was cut in his second training camp with New […]

nesn.com

Touchdowns on blocked field goal, punt return stop Steelers' run to Super Bowl -- Pittsburgh Gazette

PRO FOOTBALL; Patriots End Miami Drought In Overtime (Published 2003)

New England Patriots defeat Miami Dolphins, 19-13, in overtime (M)

www.nytimes.com

Dolphins Falter in Overtime

MIAMI -- The New England Patriots needed two missed field goals and their longest pass play of the season to finally win in the Miami heat. Tom Brady hit Troy Brown on an 82-yard scoring play in ov…

www.theledger.com

Troy Brown worked his way into Hall

FOXBORO — Standing inside The Hall at Patriot Place, Troy Brown tried on his red Hall of Fame jacket for the first time. “It feels good,” he said yesterday, standing next to a large black-framed photo of himself. Tomorrow, the former wid…

www.bostonherald.com

Troy Brown: New England Patriots of the Past

Troy Brown was one of the earliest players to perfectly encapsulate the Patriot Way. A key piece of three championships, Brown spent 15 years in New England

lastwordonsports.com

Troy Brown | The Patriots Hall of Fame

www.patriotshalloffame.com

Patriots WR Troy Brown retires - UPI.com

Troy Brown, the all-time leading receiver for the New England Patriots, has retired after 15 years in the NFL.

www.upi.com

Troy Brown, the all-time leading receiver for the New England Patriots, has retired after 15 years in the NFL.​

He owns New England records for receptions (557), punt returns (252) and punt return yardage (2,625). Brown spent his entire career with the Patriots.​

Known for his versatility, Brown filled in at defensive back for the Patriots in 2004 and is the only New England player to have both a reception and interception in the same game.​

He was selected to the Pro Bowl after the 2001 season in which he amassed 1,119 receiving yards on 101 catches.​

Dec 20, 2003: Troy Brown fends off Jets corner Ray Mickens during the fourth quarter.
The Pats won 21-16 to improve to 13-2, while Herm Edwards' Jets were eliminated and clinched a losing season.



December 6, 2001: Punt returner Troy Brown (#80), eludes Cleveland's Ryan Kuehl (#87), as Lawyer Milloy (#36), at far right, lays out the Browns Dwayne Rudd (#57) with a killer block that helped spring Troy on the way to this 85-yard second quarter punt return for a touchdown that broke a 10-10 tie, and ultimately provided the winning points in New England's 27-16 victory, their fourth in a row.



Nov 30, 1997: Wide receiver Troy Brown makes an 18-yard catch for a touchdown as defensive back Ray McElroy of the Indianapolis Colts misses the tackle.
The fourth-quarter play gave the Pats a 20-10, providing the winning margin in a 20-17 game at Foxboro Stadium

One of my favorite Pats players of all time... Not one of my favorite Pats coaches of all time unfortunately...