June 20 in Pats History: Six Degrees of Dave Rowe

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Today in Patriots History
Six degrees of Dave Rowe​

Happy 76th birthday to Dave Rowe
Born June 20, 1945 in Neptune, NJ
Patriot DT, 1971-1973; uniform #76
Acquired in a trade with the Oilers on September 7, 1971, for OT Tom Funchess

David Homeyer Rowe was the Pats left defensive tackle for three seasons, appearing in all 42 of those games with 33 starts. After playing with three losing teams (Saints, Pats, Chargers), Rowe was traded to the Raiders in 1975, and started for Oakland when they beat the Patriots in the Ben Dreith Game, and went on to win the Super Bowl. Rowe was also a member of the first Penn State team coached by Joe Paterno, and he blocked on Tom Dempsey's historic 63-yard field goal for the Saints.

In a post-football career as a sports broadcaster that spanned thirty years, Dave Rowe is most well known for a 1987 game when he was the color analyst. In 1977 Gayle Sierens was hired by a Tampa NBC affiliate out of Florida State as a sports reporter, who developed a positive reputation for breaking big sports news. Her popularity resulted in the station promoting her to co-anchor of their two evening newscasts in 1985, and ratings increased. Two years later hired her to become the first woman to perform the play-by-play commentary for an NFL regular season game - a late season contest between the Seahawks and Chiefs - with Dave Rowe providing the commentary. NBC thought the pair performed their duties very well and wanted them to continue, but the local Tampa station prevented her from doing so due to a contract dispute. Despite the fact that Sierens handled the duties far better than many male counterparts, it would be thirty years before another woman would announce an NFL game.

Aug 11, 1973: Patriot defensive tackles Dennis Wirgowski and Dave Rowe sign autographs at a pre-season practice​

Former NFL player Dave Rowe brings laughs, faith to Gloucester County Mayor's Prayer Breakfast

Faith is part of the reason Dave Rowe — a Deptford High School and Penn State grad — was chosen to be the keynote speaker at the 21st annual event, sponsored by the YMCA of Gloucester County and the Gloucester County Mayors’ Association.

www.nj.com

Gayle Sierens, first woman to call NFL regular season game, speaks with News about breaking barriers

Timing is everything. In 1987, a Tampa sportscaster-turned news anchor became the first woman to call an NFL regular season game. Sitting alongside color analyst Dave Rowe, Gayle Sierens did play-b…

www.nydailynews.com

 

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Today in Patriots History
Elbert, Al and Matt​

Happy birthday to Elbert Crawford
Born June 20, 1966 in Chicago
Patriot guard, 1990-1991; uniform #65
Died May 2, 2013 at the age of 46
Signed as a free agent on September 12, 1990

Originally selected by the Rams in the 8th round of the 1990 draft out of Arkansas, the interior offensive lineman from Arkansas was signed a few days after being waived by Los Angeles just before the season kicked off. Crawford played in 14 games for that pitiful 1990 team, primarily on special teams. Under new head coach **** MacPherson in 1991, Crawford started all 16 games at left guard. In the off season he signed with the Broncos as a Plan B free agent, but three weeks later he had a heart attack while working out at Denver's facilities. That ended his playing career, and Crawford went on to become a player agent. A second heart attack at the age of 46 in 2013 turned out to be fatal.

Elbert Crawford - 1996 40 Under 40 | Arkansas Business News | ArkansasBusiness.com

www.arkansasbusiness.com

SPORTS PEOPLE: FOOTBALL; Heart Attack Will Sideline a Bronco (Published 1992)

www.nytimes.com

Pro Football

Elbert Crawford, former New England Patriot offensive lineman, was in serious but improving condition at Presbyterian Hospital in Aurora, Colo., after suffering a heart attack.

www.latimes.com

Former Razorback Crawford Dead at 46

Arkansas Democrat Gazette

The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette is the largest source for award-winning news and opinion that matters to you. Featuring up to the minute breaking news and the most in-depth Razorback, business, and political coverage in Arkansas.

www.arkansasonline.com

Happy 80th birthday to Al Snyder
Born June 20, 1941 in Baltimore
Patriot WR, 1963-1964; uniform #38
Pats 23rd round (183rd overall) pick of the 1963 draft, from Holy Cross

In college Snyder was a three year starter, playing flanker, defensive back and kick returner. While there he set a school record for career receptions, and also played baseball with the Crusaders. Snyder spent his first year on the Pats taxi squad. He then appeared in two games in 1964, with one reception for twelve yards. Snyder later spent two seasons with the Colts, during which time he earned his law degree from the University of Maryland.

Al Snyder | Holy Cross

Al Snyder (1962) - Hall of Fame - National Football Foundation

footballfoundation.org

Happy 36th birthday to Matt Flynn
Born June 20, 1985 in Tyler, Texas
Patriot QB, 2015 off season; uniform #8
Signed as an unrestricted veteran free agent on June 11, 2015

The Patriots had Tom Brady, Jimmy Garoppolo and Garrett Gilbert on their roster at quarterback during 2015 OTAs; Gilbert had finished the previous season on the practice squad. With the possibility of a suspension to Tom Brady not being overturned, Gilbert was released in favor of a veteran QB. Flynn had parlayed one good game in relief of an injured Aaron Rodgers (against the Patriots coincidentally) into a big free agency pay day with Seattle, but then rookie Russell Wilson beat him for the starting job in 2012. Still, with 53 NFL games Flynn provided a lot more security over going with two inexperienced quarterbacks for four games, and he was signed June 12. The problem was that Flynn was on the NFI list and couldn't practice, and in camp three arms are a necessity. He was released August 10, 2015.

June 20, 1972: Ed Weisacosky retires
The linebacker would be talked out of retirement a month later, and once again not miss a single game with the Pats.




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

- Tony Plansky (6/20/00-2/10/79); South Boston native played FB in the NFL from 1928-32 with the Giants and Boston Braves, and led the NFL in scoring in 1929. A three-time national decathlon champion (1925, 1926, 1928) and Eastern League batting champion (.376) in 1930, Plansky went on to coach the Williams College track and cross-country teams from 1931 to 1978.

Anthony Joseph “Tony” Plansky (1900-1979) - Find...

Anthony Joseph Plansky-He was an American football running back in the National Football League for the New York Giants and Boston Braves. He attended Georgetown University. He participated in Cross Country at Williams College for 43 years. The track at Williams is now named after him. Much more...

www.findagrave.com

A roundup of the week Feb. 12-18

PRO BASKETBALL—Atlantic Division leader Washington, which had won five straight and 13 of its last 16, Host three of four. After dropping a 107-99 decision to

www.si.com

- Joe Sulaitis (6/20/21-2/8/80); RB/G/LB/DE played 11 NFL seasons, including one with the 1946 Boston Yanks.

- Vic Baltzell (6/20/12-4/25/86); FB/DB/K/P/KR/PR for the 1935 Boston Redskins.

- June 20, 1969: The New England Aquarium opens.




Other pro football players sharing this birthday:
- Len Dawson, 84; it is amazing to consider that within just a few years the Pittsburgh Steelers, while mired in futility, gave up on not one, but two future hall of fame quarterbacks: Dawson and Johnny Unitas.
- Darren Sproles, 38; the RB had 62 career touchdowns with the Chargers, Saints and Eagles.
- Dave Elmendorf, 72; Ram safety never missed a start over nine seasons.
- Fred McAfee, 53; Saints Pro Bowl special team standout played in 194 NFL games.
- LaVar Arrington, 43; three straight Pro Bowls led to a big payday for the second overall pick of the 2000 draft, but he played in just six more NFL games after signing that contract.

 

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some elbert crawford love