Today In Patriots History July 26, 1960: Boston Patriots play their first-ever 'game' - in Haverhill

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Patriots hold first public scrimmage
at Haverhill High School​

July 26, 1960:
The Boston Patriots made their first public appearance as a team, playing an intrasquad scrimmage at Haverhill High School. Proceeds from the event went to the Haverhill Lions Club charity fund.


This was the very first time fans had an opportunity to play in front of fans in game-type conditions. It also served as a warmup for the very first AFL 'exhibition game' (as preseason game were more accurately referred to as back then).

Four days later the Patriots traveled to Buffalo, beating the Bills 28-7 at War Memorial Stadium. Bob Dee is credited with scoring the first points in American Football League history. The defensive end put his name in the league's history books when he dove onto a fumble by Bills QB Tommy O'Connell (father of former Boston Bruins GM Mike O'Connell) in the end zone, in the second quarter of the league's first-ever exhibition game.

​

Haverhill helped put Pats on the map

HAVERHILL — As the New England Patriots seek another Super Bowl victory, the team emblem is everywhere — on T-shirts, hats, key chains, bumper stickers.

www.eagletribune.com

Pats fan hasn’t missed a game since 1970

Michael Paolino said he’s the No. 1 fan of the New England Patriots and that he’s got the goods to prove it — starting with his 5-year-old son Brady, named

www.newburyportnews.com

Stadium History | Haverhill High School (MA)

HAVERHILL STADIUM HISTORY Built in 1916. Haverhill was the first city in the country to build a high school stadium exclusively for high school sports. Brick wall perimeter is 12’ high and was built…

www.haverhillhillies.com

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Mike Haynes enters
Pro Football Hall of Fame​

July 26, 1997:
Mike Haynes is inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.

Haynes was the second Patriot to be enshrined, following John Hannah's induction in 1991.

Mike Haynes | Pro Football Hall of Fame

*Michael James Haynes*. . .Patriots’ No. 1 draft pick, first defensive back selected overall, 1976. . .Sensational rookie season with eight interceptions, AFC-high 608 punt return yards. . .Career stats: 46 interceptions for 688 yards, two TDs; 112 punt returns for 1,168 yards, two TDs. ...

www.profootballhof.com

Mike Haynes, a three-year All-WAC star at Arizona State, was the New England Patriots’ first selection in the 1976 NFL Draft. The 6-2, 192-pound Haynes was the fifth player and the first defensive back taken in that year’s draft.​

Haynes relied on his speed, quickness and range to become both a premier defensive back and an outstanding punt return specialist. He enjoyed a sensational rookie year with the Patriots with eight interceptions and an AFC-leading 608 yards on 45 punt returns. That year, Haynes gave the Patriots their first-ever touchdowns on punt returns with 89-yard and 62-yard returns. He earned a Pro Bowl invitation as a rookie, the first of nine Pro Bowl bids.​

Haynes, who was born on July 1, 1953, in Denison, Texas, recorded 28 interceptions and 1,159 yards on 111 returns, a 10.4-yard average during his seven years with the Patriots. He started his career with 58 consecutive starts before being sidelined with a rib injury late in 1979.​

Haynes played out his option with the Patriots in 1982 and in November, 1983, his contract was awarded to the Los Angeles Raiders in a settlement that gave the Patriots a No. 1 draft choice in 1984 and a No. 2 pick in 1985. Haynes played the last five games in 1983 and then started and had one interception in the Raiders’ Super Bowl XVIII victory.​

In seven seasons with the Raiders, Haynes returned only one punt but he added 18 interceptions to give him a career total of 46 which were returned for 688 yards and two touchdowns, including a team-record 97-yard return against Miami in 1984. Haynes was an All-Pro choice in 1977, 1978, 1982, 1984 and 1985 and an All-AFC pick eight times.​

​