Today In Patriots History June 5: Happy Birthday to Kevin Faulk

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Kevin Faulk​

Happy 48th birthday to Kevin Faulk
Born June 5, 1976 in Lafayette, Louisiana
Patriot RB/PR/KR, 1999-2011; uniform #33
Pats 2nd round (46th overall) selection of the 1999 draft, from LSU

The 3-time super bowl champion is a member of the Pats 50th Anniversary Team and the Patriots Hall of Fame. The defender of the wall ranks 5th in team history with 3607 rushing yards, 13th with 3701 receiving yards, 8th with 943 punt return yards and first with 4098 kick return yards. Faulk is first in franchise history with 12,340 all purpose yards, first with 5,041 return yards, and fifth with 7,308 yards from scrimmage. His 1,577 touches is a close second to Sam Cunningham (1,595), and he also played in 19 playoff games.

Kevin Faulk - 1998 - Football - LSU Tigers

Kevin Faulk (3) Running Back - 1998 Third-Team All-American (The Football News) 1998 First-Team All-SEC (Coaches, AP, The Football News) 1998 Playboy Magazine Preseason

lsusports.net

An All-American and a three-time All-SEC selection, Kevin Faulk finished his career as LSU’s all-time leading rusher while breaking a plethora of other LSU and SEC marks ... Held 17 LSU and SEC records ... Rushed for 4,557 yards and 46 touchdowns in his career ... Finished fourth in NCAA history and first in SEC history with 6,833 all-purpose yards ... SEC record was previously held by Georgia legend Herschel Walker ... Had 53 total touchdowns ...​

May 18, 2016:

Kevin Faulk elected into Patriots Hall of Fame

The Patriots announced today that Kevin Faulk, a three-time Super Bowl champion, has been voted by the fans as the 25th entrant into the Patriots Hall of Fame.

www.patriots.com

The New England Patriots announced today that Kevin Faulk, a three-time Super Bowl champion, has been voted by the fans as the 25th entrant into the Patriots Hall of Fame. Faulk joins Troy Brown (2012) and Tedy Bruschi (2013) as the third player to enter The Hall as a career Patriot with three Super Bowl rings. He is also just the fifth player to be selected by the fans into the Patriots Hall of Fame in their first year of eligibility, joining Drew Bledsoe (2011), Brown, Bruschi and Ty Law (2014).​

​

For his career, he played in 161 regular season games and accumulated 3,607 yards rushing on 864 attempts for a 4.2-yard average with 16 touchdowns, caught 431 passes for 3,701 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns, returned 181 kicks for 4,098 yards and two touchdowns and returned 101 punts for 943 yards. Faulk is the Patriots' all-time leader in receptions by a running back and is one of just 30 running backs in NFL history to reach the 400-reception plateau. In the 2000s, he was one of just six players to rush for more than 3,000 yards and gain more than 3,000 yards receiving, joining Tiki Barber, Marshall Faulk, Michael Pittman, LaDanian Tomlinson and Brian Westbrook.​

Kevin Faulk - Running Backs Coach - Staff Directory - LSU Tigers

Kevin Faulk, LSU's all-time rushing leader and three-time Super Bowl Champion, enters his first season as running backs coach for the Tigers after being promoted

lsusports.net

Kevin Faulk, LSU's all-time rushing leader and three-time Super Bowl Champion, enters his first season as running backs coach for the Tigers after being promoted to that position in February of 2020.​

Faulk, who played his entire NFL career under legendary coach Bill Belichick in New England, had spent the previous two years on the LSU staff as Director of Player Development. In that role, Faulk worked with LSU student-athletes on their academic direction, social development and overall quality of life.​

Faulk, who remains LSU’s all-time leader in rushing yards (4,557) and rushing TDs (46), starred in the backfield for the Tigers from 1995-98, helping LSU to three bowl appearances over that span. Faulk earned All-America honors from the Associated Press in 1996.​

Faulk capped his record-setting LSU career as the SEC's all-time leader in all-purpose yards with 6,833. He still ranks third in SEC history in rushing yards and rushing TDs.​

June 4, 2018:

LSU's Kevin Faulk among group on College Football Hall of Fame ballot

Former Tigers star is on College Football Hall of Fame ballot.

www.shreveporttimes.com

One of the all-time LSU greats and a member of the Louisiana Sports, LSU Athletic and New England Patriots Halls of Fame, Faulk helped lead the Tigers to three bowl appearances from 1995-97. He earned first team Associated Press All-America honors as an all-purpose back in 1996. ​

​

April 29, 2016:

Former Patriots player Kevin Faulk proudly shouts out Tom Brady during NFL draft

After sitting out the first round of the NFL draft as part of their "Deflategate" punishment, the New England Patriots used the second day to stock up on players

www.boston.com

August 1, 2016 Photo Gallery:

2016 Patriots Hall of Fame Induction: Kevin Faulk

Check out our favorite photos from the 2016 Patriots Hall of Fame induction of Kevin Faulk on Monday, August 1, 2016.

www.patriots.com

May 18, 2016:

Kevin Faulk elected into Patriots Hall of Fame

The Patriots announced today that Kevin Faulk, a three-time Super Bowl champion, has been voted by the fans as the 25th entrant into the Patriots Hall of Fame.

www.patriots.com

May 10, 2017:

Where Are They Now: Kevin Faulk

In their own unique way, each member of the 2001 New England Patriots played a role helping the team capture its first championship in franchise history following a thrilling, last-second 20-17 victory over the St. Louis Rams in Super Bowl XXXVI.

www.patriots.com

June 4, 2018:

LSU's Kevin Faulk among group on College Football Hall of Fame ballot

Former Tigers star is on College Football Hall of Fame ballot.

www.shreveporttimes.com

June 2, 2021:

LSU’s Kevin Faulk, Bradie James on 2022 College Football Hall of Fame ballot – Crescent City Sports

Kevin Faulk and Bradie James, two of the most decorated players in LSU football history, are among 78 players and seven coaches from the Football Bowl Subdivision included on the 2022 College Football Hall of Fame ballot.

crescentcitysports.com

December 6, 2022:

Faulk to Enter College Football HOF in Las Vegas Ceremony

lsusports.net

Inductee | Kevin Troy Faulk 2022

Kevin Troy Faulk was a Running Back for Louisiana State Universityand inducted into College Football Hall of Fame in 2022

www.cfbhall.com

The epitome of an all-purpose player, Kevin Faulk remains the SEC's leader in career all-purpose yards and LSU's all-time leading rusher. The Lafayette, Louisiana, native and cousin of 2017 inductee Marshal Faulk is the 11th Tiger player to enter the College Football Hall of Fame. A 1996 First Team All-American as an all-purpose player, Faulk set the all-time SEC record with 6,833 all-purpose yards, a mark that was fourth in FBS history when he finished his career.​

​

The three-time First Team All-SEC selection was the first player in LSU history to average more than 100 yards per game during his entire career. Faulk set 11 school records including LSU career marks for rushing yards (4,577), rushing touchdowns (46), all-purpose yards (6,833) and 100-yard rushing games (22).​

​

* 1998 First Team All-SEC​

* 1997 First Team All-SEC​

* 1996 First Team All-America​

* 1996 First Team All-SEC​

* 1995 SEC Freshman of the Year​

Kevin Faulk defending the wall with a proverbial FU to Roger Goodell at the 2016 NFL Draft












​

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
James Ferentz, Ryan Mallett and Torry Holt​

Happy 35th birthday to James Ferentz
Born June 5, 1989 in Iowa City, Iowa
Patriot OL, 2017-2023; uniform #59 (2017), #66 (2018-20) and #65 (2021-23)
Signed as a veteran free agent on May 18, 2017

The Iowa grad spent two seasons in Denver, appearing in 20 games in 2015-2016. His father Kirk worked with Bill Belichick in Cleveland and New England, and his brother Brian was formerly the Pats tight end coach.

James Ferentz spent most of 2017 and 2018 on the Pats practice squad. He appeared in two games for the Patriots in 2018, with just eight offensive snaps and eight special team snaps. In 2019 he was waived as part of final roster cutdowns and re-signed a few days later. Ferentz started one game at center and another at guard due to injuries to Ted Karras and Shaq Mason, and appeared in all but one game over the season. He also started two games in 2020 when David Andrews was injured, playing in a total of seven games that year while active but not playing in five more.

In 2021 Ferentz began the season on the practice squad before being elevated. In the week five 25-22 victory at Houston he made his first start at left guard and also started in the 35-29 loss to Dallas the following week, forced into duty due to much of the offensive line being sidelined by covid. Ferentz got on the field again a week later when Shaq Mason was injured mid-game. After that it was back to the practice squad, plus dressing but not playing in three other games. He played in 12 games with three starts in place of David Andrews in 2022. Then in 2023 Ferentz was on the field for just four snaps in the upset win at Denver; he spent most of the season as the de facto offensive line coach during Adrian Klemm's absence.

Ferentz retired on February 19, 2024. The Giants hired him as an assistant offensive line coach on March 26.

Former Hawkeyes OL James Ferentz signs with Patriots

A third member of the Ferentz family has become employed by Bill Belichick. Thursday, the Belichick-coached New England Patriots signed …

www.thegazette.com

How James Ferentz went from flooring work to Super Bowl 50

Former Iowa and current Denver Broncos center James Ferentz took a unique route to the NFL.

www.hawkcentral.com

James Ferentz announces retirement from NFL

James Ferentz, son of Iowa football head coach Kirk Ferentz, announced Monday on social media he is retiring from the NFL. James Ferentz attended Iowa City High School before playing under his father at Iowa from 2008-12. He started at center in 38 straight games over his last three seasons as a...

dailyiowan.com

James Ferentz attended Iowa City High School before playing under his father at Iowa from 2008-12. He started at center in 38 straight games over his last three seasons as a Hawkeye, earning second-team All-Big Ten honors his senior year.

He was signed by the Houston Texas as an undrafted free agent in 2014 and didn’t see the field. He then played with the Denver Broncos for two seasons and ended his professional stint after six years with the New England Patriots. He played in 61 NFL games and won two Super Bowl rings with former Patriots quarterback Tom Brady.

In memory of Ryan Mallett, who would have turned 36 today
Born June 5, 1988 in Batesville, Arkansas
Died June 27, 2023 in Destin, Florida at age 35
Patriot QB, 2011-2013; uniform #15
Pats 3rd round (74th overall) selection of the 2011 draft, from Arkansas

Concerns about Ryan Mallett's drinking and motivation caused him to fall from the first round to third in the 2011 draft. He appeared in just four games over three seasons, going 1-4 for 17 yards and one interception. At the time the Pats had enough faith in Mallett to retain him and waive Brian Hoyer in 2012. In a bit of trivia, Ryan Mallett was the QB who was retained when Tim Tebow was cut in 2013. Pats fans hoped he and his strong arm would fetch a bounty like Matt Cassel did when he was traded, but were disappointed when in August of 2014 all the Patriots received from Houston was a 6th round pick. After screwing up with the Texans, Mallett became Joe Flacco's backup in Baltimore.

Ryan Mallett appeared in 21 NFL games, going 3-5 in eight starts. He completed 55% of his passes, with nine touchdowns and ten interceptions. Mallett last played in 2017.

Five reasons why Ryan Mallett is the future of the Patriots at quarterback | Bleacher Report

Patriots trade QB Ryan Mallett to Houston; Announce other transactions

The Patriots announced a series of transactions including the trade of QB Ryan Mallett to the Houston Texans.

www.patriots.com

Analysis: Digesting the Ryan Mallett trade

Here are a few points to consider when it comes to the New England Patriots trading quarterback Ryan Mallett to the Houston Texans for a late-round draft choice:Only a late-rounder?

www.espn.com

Here's how sad the 14-month Ryan Mallett era was in Houston

The Ryan Mallett-era in Houston definitely wasn't a success.

www.cbssports.com

Remember Ryan Mallett? QB among former Patriots in The Spring League

A rundown of former Patriots spotted in The Spring League.

www.masslive.com

Former Arkansas, NFL QB Ryan Mallett dies in apparent drowning

Former Arkansas QB Ryan Mallett, who went on to have a seven-year career in the NFL, died Tuesday in an apparent drowning at a Florida beach, according to the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office. He was 35.

www.espn.com

Happy 48th birthday to Torry Holt
Born June 5, 1976 in Greensboro, North Carolina
Patriots WR, 2010 (off season); uniform #84
Signed as a veteran free agent on April 20, 2010

The Pats brought in the 34 year old veteran to compete with David Patten, Brandon Tate, rookie Taylor Price and a young Julian Edelman as a receiver to play opposite Randy Moss, six weeks into free agency and two weeks prior to the 2010 NFL draft. He was signed to a one-year, $1.7 million contract, but a knee injury ended his season (and career) in mid August. Holt was named to seven Pro Bowls and twice led the league in receiving yards, finishing his NFL career with 920 receptions (20th), 13,382 receiving yards (16th) and 74 receiving touchdowns (34th).

Happy 34th birthday to Matt Tobin
Born June 5, 1990 in Worthington, Iowa
Patriots OL, 2018; uniform #64
Signed as a veteran free agent on March 17, 2018

Despite not starting a single game until his senior year of high school, Matt Tobin was selected to the second-team all-state in Iowa. He enrolled at the University of Iowa and made the Hawkeyes team as a walk-on, starting the final 22 games of his collegiate career. Philadelphia signed him as an undrafted rookie in 2013, and he made their roster. That season he was a healthy scratch for 15 games, and did not get on the field in the one other game. During the next three seasons he played in 41 games with 21 starts at LG, RG and RT. The Eagles traded him to Seattle and he appeared in all but one game for the Seahawks in a limited backup role in 2017.

The Patriots released Tobin as part of final roster cuts on September 1, 2018. He was with the 49ers for a short time, then re-signed with the Patriots just before their week 10 loss to Tennessee. The following week was a bye, and Tobin was a healthy scratch for a second time in week 12 versus the Jets. He was released on November 26 when Rex Burkhead was activated off injured reserve from his neck injury.

Matt Tobin played in a total of 57 games with 21 starts over the course of his NFL career, and collected a ring for standing on the sidelines in 2018.

Where Are They Now? OL Matt Tobin

After finishing his six-year NFL career playing for Seattle, San Francisco, and New England, Tobin and his wife, Shawna, returned to his hometown of Worthington, Iowa, where they still call home, and are raising their children: Reese, Garrhett, and Josie.​

​

Three years ago, Tobin joined a new team, the High Point Land Company, as a real estate agent – land specialist. What led him to dirty his hands and get into that line of work?​

​

"I would say my love for land, my love for Iowa," Tobin says. "There's quality soil for growing crops and wildlife and livestock. I just love that. My mom grew up on a dairy farm and I spent quite a bit of time on my uncle's dairy farm when I was growing up. And I got a geoscience degree from Iowa. I could have worked for a materials company – quarry-, gravel-type stuff. But I personally like to own land and invest in land. It was just a natural fit for me.​

​

"I only focus on rural land. High-quality tillable ground that's flat, black, and square, that just gets farmed all the time. Or ground that has timber on it with good hunting opportunities and anything like that. Pasture ground. I help a client either find a property to buy or help a different client sell their property.​

​

"The thing I enjoy most is looking at new pieces of property and then meeting the good ol' folks of Eastern Iowa. Meeting their family and helping their family out. Doing good things for good people."​

July 26, 2018: Ted Karras (75), James Ferentz (66) and Matt Tobin (64)​

Other players born on this date with New England connections:
Art Donovan (6/5/25-8/4/2013) went to Boston College. The colorful Baltimore Colt defensive tackle went to five straight Pro Bowls in the fifties, and is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

​

Harold Landry, 28 (6/5/96) also went to BC.
The North Carolina native was a 2nd round draft pick by Tennessee in 2018, and was named to the Pro Bowl as an OLB in 2021.

Tuzar Skipper, 29 (6/5/95) is from Norwich Connecticut and went to Norwich Free Academy. The linebacker has been on the Titans and Steelers practice squads, and has appeared in ten games for the Ginats and Tennessee.

Megs Apsit (6/5/09-12/22/08); TB/LB/DB/K/KR/P/PR spent a few years in the NFL, including 1933 for the Boston Redskins.






And a couple other notable NFL players born on June 5:
- Saints WR Marques Colston, 41; 711 receptions for 9,759 yards and 72 TD, plus one super bowl ring.
- Browns Hall of Fame FB/KR/LB Marion Motley, (6/5/20-6/27/99); twice led the league in rushing.
- Jet first round draft busts Vernon Gholston, 38 (6th overall; 5 starts) and Sam Darnold, 27 (3rd overall; 13-25 as starter).

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Happy Birthday Robert Kraft​

June 5, 1941:
Robert Kraft is born in Brookline, Massachusetts
Say what you will about him - he certainly has his faults - but the reality is that this franchise would not be in New England if not for his efforts to keep the Patriots here.



June 5, 2024:

Patriots sign fourth-round pick Layden Robinson

The Patriots announced the signing of another draft pick on Wednesday.

www.nbcsports.com

The Patriots announced the signing of another draft pick on Wednesday.

Fourth-rounder Layden Robinson is the latest to agree to his four-year rookie deal with the team. With the guard under contract, second-round wide receiver Ja’Lynn Polk is now the only unsigned member of their draft class.

Robinson was a three-year starter at right guard for Texas A&M before being selected in April. He joined third-round pick Caeden Wallace as draft additions to the offensive line.

2022 first-round pick Cole Strange, Sidy Sow and Atonio Mafi are back as guards from last year’s line in New England. They also signed former Buccaneer Nick Leverett as a free agent.

June 5, 2023:

Lee Signs with New England Patriots - University of Rhode Island

KINGSTON, R.I. - Wide receiver Ed Lee has officially joined the New England Patriots, signing with the NFL team as a rookie free agent.

gorhody.com

Ed Lee's professional journey began when he was invited to attend a mini camp with the Patriots in April. He is the second Ram to sign with an NFL team this year, joining defensive back Jordan Jones who was picked up by the Los Angeles Rams after the 2023 NFL Draft.​

​

Lee's outstanding 2022 campaign undoubtedly played a large role in his professional prospects. He led all CAA Football players with 908 receiving yards on 56 catches, five of which were for touchdowns. He also hauled in the game-winning two-point conversion catch that ended the longest game in FCS history, a seven-overtime win at Monmouth. He was fourth in the league in catches and seventh in yards per catch (16.2). As a punt returner, Lee was third in the CAA with 11.3 yards per punt return. His 96.9 all-purpose yards per game were good for 10th in the league.​

​

A Second Team All-CAA selection, Lee finished his collegiate career with 86 receptions for 1,263 yards.​

​

Rhode Island has now sent three wide receivers to the NFL since 2020. Lee's former teammate Isaiah Coulter was drafted by the Houston Texans in the fifth round of the 2020 NFL Draft and Aaron Parker signed as an undrafted free agent with the Dallas Cowboys that same year. Coulter is currently with the Buffalo Bills, while Parker was most recently with the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League after also spending time with the Carolina Panthers and Kansas City Chiefs.​

June 5, 2017:

Patriots sign 3rd-round draft pick Tony Garcia

The New England Patriots have signed 2017 third-round pick Tony Garcia

www.boston.com

The New England Patriots have signed 2017 third-round pick Tony Garcia.​

​

Garcia agreed to the new deal on Monday. The Patriots also signed undrafted free agent defensive back Will Likely and released free agent defensive lineman Corey Vereen.​

​

New England gave up two draft picks to move up and take Garcia, an offensive lineman from Troy, with the 85th overall selection in April’s draft.​

​

He could be New England’s left tackle of the future with current starter Nate Solder entering the final year of his contract.​

June 5, 2013:

Patriots release rookie RB Akeem Shavers

The Patriots announced the release of rookie running back Akeem Shavers Wednesday afternoon. Shavers, a product of Purdue, was claimed off waivers from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in May. He had 181 carries for 871 yards and six touchdowns in...

www.masslive.com

The Patriots announced the release of rookie running back Akeem Shavers Wednesday afternoon.​

​

Shavers, a product of Purdue, was claimed off waivers from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in May. He had 181 carries for 871 yards and six touchdowns in 2012.​

​

Shavers took part in the three organized team activities that were open to the media.​

June 5, 2008:

Patriots give punter the boot

Training camp is still more than a month away, but the Patriots have already begun the process of trimming their roster.

www.metrowestdailynews.com

Training camp is still more than a month away, but the Patriots have already begun the process of trimming their roster.​

​

The first to go was punter Mike Dragosavich, who was released yesterday. A rookie out of North Dakota State, Dragosavich was signed as an undrafted free agent on May 5 and participated in the Pats' rookie and passing camps this offseason.​

​

The 6-foot-5, 190-pounder has a powerful leg, but his technique needs refinement and the Pats could not afford to tie up a third roster spot on a punting project. With the end of the NFL Europe exemptions this year, teams now face a rigid 80-man roster limit for training camp, which could lead to making some tough early decisions and cuts.​

June 5, 2006:
* Sullivan was arrested in Atlanta three weeks later on charges of possession of marijuana, was placed on PUP to start the 2006 training camp, and released on October 9 - without ever getting on the field for the Patriots.

Bethel traded

The Pats have traded WR Bethel Johnson to the Saints for DL Johnathan Sullivan.

www.boston.com

The Patriots have traded receiver Bethel Johnson to the New Orleans Saints for defensive lineman Johnathan Sullivan.​

​

Johnson and Sullivan could both benefit from a change of scenery. Sullivan was a first-round pick (sixth overall) in 2003, while Johnson was a second-round choice that season. Both have yet to emerge as full-time starters.​

​

Johnson spoke with the Boston Globe about his situation earlier this offseason. A sampling of his comments:​

​

— “It’s hard for me to sit here and watch. I hate it. I hate it with a passion. I’ve been totally disappointed.”​

​

— “I’m doing everything I have to do every single year to make it happen. But it’s not up to me. I’ve asked the question for the last three years really. Catch the ball better — I stay and catch the ball. Run more routes — I run more routes. Something’s not there.”​

​

— “It got real frustrating at one point. I bust my tail, everybody knows that about me. It just wasn’t happening for me. It was really frustrating. Really frustrating. You have no idea.”​

​

— “[In college, critics] wrote me off because I got hurt the year before and had a bad [medical] condition. They talk bad about you in the papers and then I came back and had a great year. I’ve spent 27 years proving everyone wrong. Keep it coming. It just motivates me.”​

​

Sullivan is signed through the 2009 season. Johnson is signed through 2007.​

​

Sullivan joins a defensive line mix that includes starters Richard Seymour, Vince Wilfork and Ty Warren. The top backups are Jarvis Green, Marquise Hill, Mike Wright and Dan Klecko. Sixth-round pick Le Kevin Smith is also in the mix, along with first-year player Santonio Thomas and rookie free agents Remi Ayodele and Kader Drame.​

June 5, 2001:
Patriots sign DT Riddick Parker, who would make the roster and play in 13 regular season games plus all three in the playoffs.

New England Patriots Super Bowl champion is now big man on Richmond high school campus

Building Better Minds airs Wednesday on CBS 6 at 6 a.m.

www.wtvr.com

The assistant principal is a big man on campus at Armstrong High School in Richmond; maybe the biggest. That size helped Riddick Parker win the NFL's biggest prize with the New England Patriots in 2001.​

​

Hard work is what won Parker a Super Bowl championship. A sense of service is what's winning him the respect of students.​

​

Teamwork. Service. Loyalty. You can see the loyalty when you ask him who's going to win the Super Bowl this Sunday.​

​

"Oh, absolutely the Patriots," Parker said.​

​

Winning a Super Bowl is the ultimate prize in football. Parker will tell you the only thing that might be better... is Building Better Minds.​

June 5, 1996:
Pats sign 2nd round draft pick Lawyer Milloy, a strong safety from Washington

June 5, 1984: NFL supplemental draft of USFL and CFL players
1st round, #16: Ricky Sanders, WR/PR, SW Texas
2nd round, #43: Eric Jordan, RB, Purdue
3rd round, #70: Walter Lewis, QB, Alabama



June 5, 1969:
Boston Patriots sign 8th round draft pick Bob Gladieux, a RB from Notre Dame who would become part of Pats folklore and a fan favorite.

A Team’s Ragtag Roots (Published 2012)

The Boston Patriots bounced from stadium to stadium and played “home” games as far away as San Diego. Bizarre occurrences seemed to follow them wherever they went.

www.nytimes.com

Nothing so historic happened on the day of the Patriots’ 1970 season opener at Harvard, but it has a permanent place in the team’s colorful lore. The former Notre Dame running back Bob Gladieux had been cut from the Patriots a few days earlier but decided to attend the season opener anyway with a friend.​

​

Seated in the old concrete Harvard horseshoe before the start of the game, the two had already had a couple of beers when Gladieux’s friend agreed to get another round. Just after he left, the public address cackled: “Bob Gladieux, please report to the Patriots’ dressing room.”​

​

Gladieux went downstairs and was told to suit up. Last-minute contract disputes had left the Patriots short. Gladieux, nicknamed Harpo for his flock of frizzy blond hair, hurriedly donned his pads and was soon running down the field on the opening kickoff against the Miami Dolphins.​

​

Back in the stands, his friend wondered why he was alone. He looked up to see the Dolphins’ kick returner go down in the arms of No. 24 for the Patriots.​

​

“Tackle by Bob Gladieux,” the public address announcer said.​

​

Said Len St. Jean: “When we saw Harpo’s buddy later, he said: ‘I knew I was drinking, but not enough to be hearing things.’ ” The Patriots won the game, one of just two victories in another last-place season.​

 

[VrabelJr]

Holy Faulk he’s old and so am I

 

[Pape]

Kevin Faulk is one of those guys who answers the question - what is a Patriot type player... Dude just did everything asked of him, and did it well...

And is there a better story that represents what the Patriots were like in the 70's than the Bob Gladieux story? Hard pressed to come up with a better one...

Thanks JMT... Great posts as usual