Today In Patriots History June 21: Duane Thomas, Jim Nance and John Mazur walk into a bar ....

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Duane Thomas​

June 21 is highlighted by the birth date of a player who is center stage on of the more bizarre anecdotes in Patriots franchise history.

Happy 77th birthday to Duane Thomas
Born June 21, 1947 in Dallas
Patriot RB, 1971 offseason
Acquired in a trade with Dallas on July 31, 1971

As a rookie from West Texas A&M in 1970, Duane Thomas took over for Calvin Hill at running back for the Dallas Cowboys and was named Rookie of the Year, leading the league with an average of 5.3 yards per carry. He then became the first rookie to ever rush for 100 yards in consecutive playoff games, gaining 278 yards on the ground against the Lions and 49ers. The following year Thomas refused to report to training camp, holding out to have his contract renegotiated. (Dallas was paying him about $20,000 annually at the time.) On July 31 Dallas traded Thomas, Halvor Hagen and Honor Jackson to the Patriots in exchange for Carl Garrett and the Pats 1972 first round draft pick.

​

"Before the first Super Bowl, I asked him how it felt to be playing as a rookie in the ultimate game. He said, `If this is the ultimate game, how come they play it every year?' "​

At first Thomas could not be found to be notified of the trade. Then on the second day of practice he refused to get in to a 3-point stance, later explaining

"I was in a two-point stance because it gives a better view of a handoff. I was behind Jim Nance, and I couldn't see. His ass was the size of a volleyball court."


Head coach John Mazur ordered him off the field, then claimed Thomas didn't pass his physical. A few days later Pete Rozelle stepped into the chaos and voided the trade, sending Thomas and Garrett back to their former teams.

Can you imagine something like that happening today? It would break the interent.

Despite holding out for three games, Thomas still proceeded to lead the NFL with 13 total touchdowns and 11 rushing touchdowns in 1971. He scored a TD in each of Dallas' three playoff games and rushed for 95 yards on 19 carries in the 24-3 super bowl victory over Miami.

Thomas was reportedly overwhelmingly voted the MVP in that Super Bowl VI win over Miami. But after having boycotted the media all season long due to what he felt was one-sided biased and erroneous reporting on his contract dispute, the back room decision was allegedly made to give the award to Roger Staubach instead, in order to avoid another potentially awkward interview for the sports media - despite Staubach only throwing for 119 yards on the day.

Duane Thomas played in more postseason games (6) than the number of his seasons in his NFL career (4) - despite leading the league in yards per carry as a rookie (5.3), and leading the NFL in rushing touchdowns (11) and total touchdowns (13) the following year. He was traded to San Diego in 1972, suspended for failing to report, and ended up not playing the entire season. A year later Thomas was traded to Washington but he didn't do much in two seasons there, then was released in 1975 after once again failing to report after seeking an increase in pay. He signed with the WFL but the new league collapsed a few months later. Despite some attempted comebacks, Thomas never played another down in the NFL after that.

Patriots Acquire Thomas, Cowboy Holdout (Published 1971)

www.nytimes.com

Duane Thomas, Running Back

In the 25 years since he retired from the NFL, former running back Duane Thomas has tried acting, various jobs in sales and hosting a sports talk-radio

www.si.com

Boston.com / Sports / A (silent) voice of experience

The infamous Duane Thomas interviewed | PRO FOOTBALL DALY

Found on YouTube: Duane Thomas' classic interview with CBS's Tom Brookshier after Super Bowl VI.

profootballdaly.com

Ex-Cowboy Duane Thomas had one word for late commentator Brookshier

Ex-Cowboy Duane Thomas had one word for late commentator Brookshier

sportsday.dallasnews.com

Flashback: Like Marshawn Lynch, Cowboys' Duane Thomas was also a Super Bowl media challenge

Flashback: Like Marshawn Lynch, Cowboys' Duane Thomas was also a Super Bowl media challenge

sportsday.dallasnews.com

The Lonely Blues of Duane Thomas

Why the best runner in pro football ran right out of the game.

www.texasmonthly.com

Duane Thomas: His own man

Even as free spirit, Cowboys RB still relishes the concept of team Some running backs...

www.houstonchronicle.com

Beyond Taking a Knee: Duane Thomas, Where are You When We Need You?

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has figured out a way to fake solidarity with protesting NFL players, while kowtowing to President Trump and fans who

www.counterpunch.org

Former Super Bowl champ takes stock of his stands - Sedona Red Rock News

Before the controversy over Colin Kaepernick, Duane Thomas always let the National Football League know where he stood. Tuesday, Sept. 20, it was at John Ordean Stadium, with a steady rain dripping off the hat of the first starting running back to win a Super Bowl with the Dallas Cowboys. “I...

www.redrocknews.com

​

​

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
The OT Zoologist​

Happy 54th birthday to Brandon Moore
Born June 21, 1970 in Ardmore, Pennsylvania
Patriot OT, 1993-1995; uniform #70
Signed as a veteran free agent on July 19, 1993

Not to be confused with the more well known, infamous ButtFumble star namesake - or the linebacker of the same name with the Pats for a short while in 2002 - this Brandon Moore played in 26 games for the Pats, including all 16 in 1993. The 6'8, 315 pound lineman went to Duke when the Blue Devils had a new coach by the name of Steve Spurrier, and Moore was signed as a rookie free agent. Moore played mostly on special teams, and was a backup to Bruce Armstrong. Not just all brawn, Moore later went on to earn his PhD and become a professor.

Former NFL lineman tackles research, teaching at Tech

www.latech.edu

From 1993-’95, Moore played for the NFL’s Patriots, mostly behind All-Pro tackle Bruce Armstrong. And when the Patriots went to Super Bowl XXXI the next season and began their current streak as one of the league’s modern elite, Moore was back in school, this time earning a Bachelor of Science in life sciences at Arizona State.​

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After that he was back with Spurrier, in a sense, as Spurrier coached the Florida Gators and Moore earned his Ph. D. in zoology at the Gainesville university. After a decade there, Moore spent a year as a postdoctoral fellow at Tulane in New Orleans before coming to Tech in February of 2011 with his wife, Dr. Thea Edwards, and their two children, Christopher, 5, and Nicholas, 2.​

Brandon C. Moore, PhD

Associate Teaching Professor TRAINING CONTACT Email: [email protected] TEACHING RESEARCH INTERESTS Dr. Moore mentors MU Veterinary Research Scholars Program Students in crocodilian reproductive anatomy projects, particularly studying copulatory functionality and associated male and female...

cvm.missouri.edu

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Fans, the Duane Thomas post was just one example of the fan nightmare that was the Boston Patriots.

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Bruce Barnes, one of the many Patriot Punters​

Happy 73rd birthday to Bruce Barnes
Born June 21, 1951 in Coshocton, Ohio
Patriot P, 1973-1974; uniform #3
Pats 12th round (290th overall) selection of the 1973 draft, from UCLA

Bruce Barnes was the career punting leader at UCLA, and he is one of 17 players to have punted the ball at least 100 times for the Patriots, averaging 38.8 yards per kick. In his second year he was limited to nine games due to a strained back muscle, and was replaced by Mike Patrick in '75. His son Ricky Barnes golfs on the PGA tour; he won the 2002 US Amateur and finished second in the 2009 US Open. Although he never won a PGA tour event, the younger Barnes did collect $9 million in winnings over his career.

All 'grown up,' Barnes shows off his game at U.S. Open - USATODAY.com

The guy who once punted for the New England Patriots had just watched his son set a scoring record for the U.S. Open. Boy, this must have really reminded him of the glory days in the NFL. Except, Bruce Barnes said, for him there weren't that many...

usatoday30.usatoday.com

The guy who once punted for the New England Patriots had just watched his son set a scoring record for the U.S. Open. Boy, this must have really reminded him of the glory days in the NFL.​

​

Except, Bruce Barnes said, for him there weren't that many glory days.​

​

He did play two seasons with the Patriots, right?​

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"Back when they were no good. That's why they drafted me."​

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But then, the Patriots must have needed a punter in 1973. A 3-11 team's offense usually does.​

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"Not me, for long."​

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He got a game ball once, but he'd really rather talk about his son's golf.​

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Bruce had a nice football career at UCLA, a short one with the Patriots. But his two sons fell in love with golf. At Bethpage this week, 28-year-old Ricky is playing, 31-year-old Andy is the caddie. Bruce watches, and there must be moments when he remembers it was easier punting out of the end zone against the Dolphins.​

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"I probably didn't get an hour's sleep last night," he said.​

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

Bulger Lowe (6/21/95-2/18/39); Arlington native was an All Pro end and tackle in the twenties, once played for Jim Thorpe, and won a championship with Frankford in 1926.

https://gridclubofgreaterboston.com/awards/bulger-lowe-award.html

John 'Baby Grand' Scafide (6/21/11-10/24/79); tackle for the 1933 Boston Redskins was later mayor of Bay St. Louis, Mississippi from 1953 to 1969.

Hancock County Obituary Record : Scafide, John A. Sr. - Hancock County Historical Society and Museum

Obituary record for Scafide, John A. Sr. :: October 31, 1979 (Hancock County, MS)

www.hancockcountyhistoricalsociety.com

Other NFL notables born June 21:
- Mike McCormack, Hall of Fame RT for the Browns 1954-62.
- Dan Henning, HC and OC from 1983-2010.
- Bob Gain, Pro Bowl DT for Cleveland from 1952 to 1964.
- Al Wilson, 5x pro Bowl MLB with Denver from 1999-2006.
- Bruce Davis; won two Super Bowls with the Raiders after replacing Art Shell as their LT.

 

[oldrover]

Fans, the Duane Thomas post was just one example of the fan nightmare that was the Boston Patriots.

He was sort of the behavioral issues flip side of the AB experiment of 2019. At least AB played one game before it imploded.

 

[jmt57]

He was sort of the behavioral issues flip side of the AB experiment of 2019. At least AB played one game before it imploded.

I dunno. If my brand new boss ordered me to stick my nose up Jim Nance's butt, I may have rebelled as well.

 

[jimnance]

Today in Patriots History
Duane Thomas​

June 21 is highlighted by the birth date of a player who is center stage on of the more bizarre anecdotes in Patriots franchise history.

Happy 77th birthday to Duane Thomas
Born June 21, 1947 in Dallas
Patriot RB, 1971 offseason
Acquired in a trade with Dallas on July 31, 1971

As a rookie from West Texas A&M in 1970, Duane Thomas took over for Calvin Hill at running back for the Dallas Cowboys and was named Rookie of the Year, leading the league with an average of 5.3 yards per carry. He then became the first rookie to ever rush for 100 yards in consecutive playoff games, gaining 278 yards on the ground against the Lions and 49ers. The following year Thomas refused to report to training camp, holding out to have his contract renegotiated. (Dallas was paying him about $20,000 annually at the time.) On July 31 Dallas traded Thomas, Halvor Hagen and Honor Jackson to the Patriots in exchange for Carl Garrett and the Pats 1972 first round draft pick.

​

"Before the first Super Bowl, I asked him how it felt to be playing as a rookie in the ultimate game. He said, `If this is the ultimate game, how come they play it every year?' "​

At first Thomas could not be found to be notified of the trade. Then on the second day of practice he refused to get in to a 3-point stance, later explaining

"I was in a two-point stance because it gives a better view of a handoff. I was behind Jim Nance, and I couldn't see. His ass was the size of a volleyball court."


Head coach John Mazur ordered him off the field, then claimed Thomas didn't pass his physical. A few days later Pete Rozelle stepped into the chaos and voided the trade, sending Thomas and Garrett back to their former teams.

Can you imagine something like that happening today? It would break the interent.

Despite holding out for three games, Thomas still proceeded to lead the NFL with 13 total touchdowns and 11 rushing touchdowns in 1971. He scored a TD in each of Dallas' three playoff games and rushed for 95 yards on 19 carries in the 24-3 super bowl victory over Miami.

Thomas was reportedly overwhelmingly voted the MVP in that Super Bowl VI win over Miami. But after having boycotted the media all season long due to what he felt was one-sided biased and erroneous reporting on his contract dispute, the back room decision was allegedly made to give the award to Roger Staubach instead, in order to avoid another potentially awkward interview for the sports media - despite Staubach only throwing for 119 yards on the day.

Duane Thomas played in more postseason games (6) than the number of his seasons in his NFL career (4) - despite leading the league in yards per carry as a rookie (5.3), and leading the NFL in rushing touchdowns (11) and total touchdowns (13) the following year. He was traded to San Diego in 1972, suspended for failing to report, and ended up not playing the entire season. A year later Thomas was traded to Washington but he didn't do much in two seasons there, then was released in 1975 after once again failing to report after seeking an increase in pay. He signed with the WFL but the new league collapsed a few months later. Despite some attempted comebacks, Thomas never played another down in the NFL after that.

Patriots Acquire Thomas, Cowboy Holdout (Published 1971)

www.nytimes.com

Duane Thomas, Running Back

In the 25 years since he retired from the NFL, former running back Duane Thomas has tried acting, various jobs in sales and hosting a sports talk-radio

www.si.com

Boston.com / Sports / A (silent) voice of experience

The infamous Duane Thomas interviewed | PRO FOOTBALL DALY

Found on YouTube: Duane Thomas' classic interview with CBS's Tom Brookshier after Super Bowl VI.

profootballdaly.com

Ex-Cowboy Duane Thomas had one word for late commentator Brookshier

Ex-Cowboy Duane Thomas had one word for late commentator Brookshier

sportsday.dallasnews.com

Flashback: Like Marshawn Lynch, Cowboys' Duane Thomas was also a Super Bowl media challenge

Flashback: Like Marshawn Lynch, Cowboys' Duane Thomas was also a Super Bowl media challenge

sportsday.dallasnews.com

The Lonely Blues of Duane Thomas

Why the best runner in pro football ran right out of the game.

www.texasmonthly.com

Duane Thomas: His own man

Even as free spirit, Cowboys RB still relishes the concept of team Some running backs...

www.houstonchronicle.com

Beyond Taking a Knee: Duane Thomas, Where are You When We Need You?

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has figured out a way to fake solidarity with protesting NFL players, while kowtowing to President Trump and fans who

www.counterpunch.org

Former Super Bowl champ takes stock of his stands - Sedona Red Rock News

Before the controversy over Colin Kaepernick, Duane Thomas always let the National Football League know where he stood. Tuesday, Sept. 20, it was at John Ordean Stadium, with a steady rain dripping off the hat of the first starting running back to win a Super Bowl with the Dallas Cowboys. “I...

www.redrocknews.com

​

" His ass was the size of a volleyball court"
L?MFA off

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
More June 21 Events​

June 21, 2022:
Patriots.com | Patriots sign offensive lineman Darryl Williams

The New England Patriots announced that they have signed first-year OL Darryl Williams.​

​

Williams, 25, spent the majority of the last two seasons on the Kansas City Chiefs practice squad after originally joining the team as a rookie free agent out of Mississippi State on April 26, 2020. The 6-foot-3, 310-pounder was released by Kansas City on June 14, 2022. He was a three-year starter at college who played in 45 games with 38 starts, 25 at left guard and 13 at center.​

June 21, 2021:

Patriots sign WR Devin Ross after minicamp tryout

The Patriots had an open roster spot last week after releasing a backup kicker and long snapper, while signing offensive tackle RJ Price.

www.bostonherald.com

Patriots sign free-agent WR who has history with team

The Patriots signed veteran wide receiver Devin Ross on Monday ahead of next month’s training camp.

www.nbcsportsboston.com

The New England Patriots added another wide receiver to their roster ahead of July's training camp.​

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Veteran wideout Devin Ross signed with the Patriots on Monday, the team announced. ESPN's Mike Reiss first reported that New England was expected to sign Ross.​

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Ross went undrafted in 2018 and has spent time with the Tennessee Titans, Philadelphia Eagles and New England Patriots. He was a member of the Patriots practice squad for a bit in 2020 before he was released by New England in October. Ross also had a few nice practices in Patriots training camp last year.​

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Why Mac Jones' teammate thinks Pats QB will be 'special'​

He still has not yet played in an NFL regular season game.​

​

The 25-year-old wide receiver is listed at 5-foot-11 and 183 pounds. He played four years at the University of Colorado from 2013 through 2017.​

June 21, 2002:
New England re-signs LB/ST Kole Ayi

Kole Ayi went to Nashua (NH) High School and UMass before being signed as an undrafted rookie by the Rams in 2001. He was traded back to LA five days later.

Patriots trade Ayi back to Rams

WIRE REPORT The New England Patriots have traded linebacker Kole Ayi back to the St. Louis Rams yesterday for an undisclosed future draft pick. Ayi was with the Rams for the first six games last …

www.southcoasttoday.com

The New England Patriots have traded linebacker Kole Ayi back to the St. Louis Rams yesterday for an undisclosed future draft pick.​

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Ayi was with the Rams for the first six games last season.​

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Ayi, 6-1, 235, was originally signed by the Rams last May as an undrafted free agent out of the University of Massachussetts. Ayi, who walked on at UMass, left as the school's career leader in solo tackles.​

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The Rams released Ayi on Oct. 23 and signed him to their practice squad the next day, but the New York Giants signed him to their active roster on Oct. 25. He was inactive for three games and then waived by the Giants. New England claimed him Nov. 15.​

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Ayi played in one game for the Patriots, a 24-17 loss to the Rams, and was inactive the next week before being placed on injured reserve Nov. 28.​

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His only statistics came in six games with the Rams. He made eight special teams tackles in six games, which led the team at the time of his release.​

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Ayi was re-signed by the Patriots on June 21.​

June 21, 1985:
The New England Patriots sign free agent Rick Donnelly

Donnelly was signed as an undrafted rookie punter from Wyoming. As a senior he averaged 47.5 yards per punt, and played in the East-West Shrine Bowl. While he did nothing wrong in training camp, averaging 44.5 ypp, he had no chance on displacing incumbent punter Rich Camarillo. Donnelly signed with the Falcons and set a single game franchise record there when he averaged 52.1 yards on seven punts in one game. In 1987 he led the NFL in yards per punt, but knee and back injuries curtailed his NFL career before the age of 30.




June 21, 1984:
Clarence Weathers is re-signed to a three-year contract

Weathers only played for the Pats for two years ('83-'84) but he did stay in the NFL through 1991. He was on the roster with his brother Robert Weathers, the 2nd round RB for a while. Clarence Weathers was a #3/4 wide receiver / special teamer who had 160 receptions over nine NFL seasons.

 

[sturmrider]

Fans, the Duane Thomas post was just one example of the fan nightmare that was the Boston Patriots.

More like what else can go wrong. Remember the fire in the stands. Or everybody's favorite pulling a player out of the stands and let's face it he was an NFL player not a great one, but one who could play. It was more like what else can they do. They always found something new. I both loved and hated it, but looking back it was fun.