Today In Patriots History June 5: Happy Golden Jubilee to Kevin Faulk

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Kevin Faulk​

Happy 50th birthday to Kevin Faulk
Born June 5, 1976 in Lafayette, Louisiana
Patriots running back/return man, 1999-2011; uniform #33
Pats 2nd round (46th overall) selection of the 1999 draft, from LSU
Pats résumé: 13 seasons, 161 games; 12,340 all purpose yards; three-time Super Bowl champion
Pats All-2000s Team, Pats 50th Anniversary Team, Pats All-Dynasty Team; Patriots Hall of Fame


Congratulations to Kevin Faulk on the day he turns the Big 5-0.

Seems as though it was not that long ago when we were debating whether or not the Patriots should cut ties with this young running back because of a few fumbles.

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 3,701 receiving yards, 8th with 943 punt return yards and first with 4,098 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, LaDainian 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. ​

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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


















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Today In Patriots History - May 18, 2016: Kevin Faulk elected to Patriots Hall of Fame

Today in Patriots History Kevin Faulk elected to Patriots Hall of Fame May 18, 2016: Kevin Faulk becomes the 25th person elected to Patriots Hall of Fame, winning the fan vote over Raymond Clayborn and Mike Vrabel May 18, 2016...

www.patsfans.com

Today In Patriots History Thread 'May 18, 2016: Kevin Faulk elected to Patriots Hall of Fame'

May 18, 2026

Today in Patriots History
Kevin Faulk elected to
Patriots Hall of Fame​

May 18, 2016:
Kevin Faulk becomes the 25th person elected to Patriots Hall of Fame, winning the fan vote over Raymond Clayborn and Mike Vrabel



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

​

Kevin Faulk Named to Patriots’ Hall of Fame

lsusports.net

Former LSU great and three-time Super Bowl champion Kevin Faulk has been elected to the New England Patriots...​

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Kevin Faulk Inducted Into Patriots Hall Of Fame | PatsFans.com

Kevin Faulk announced as newest member of the New England Patriots Hall of Fame.

www.patsfans.com

Kevin Faulk Inducted Into Patriots Hall of Fame, Tom Brady Shares Surprise Tribute | PatsFans.com

Kevin Faulk formally inducted into Patriots Hall of Fame.

www.patsfans.com

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

Kevin Faulk - Running back | 1999-2011 | The Patriots Hall of Fame

Kevin Faulk concluded his 13-year career with the Patriots in 2011 as one of the most productive players in team history

www.patriotshalloffame.com

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Kevin Faulk – Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame

Induction Year: 2015 A former Carencro High School and LSU star, Faulk played in 161 games in 13 NFL seasons with the New England Patriots (1999-2011) and won three Super Bowl rings, played in a fourth title game and was inactive for a fifth. Chosen for the Patriots’ 50th-Anniversary Team, he...

lasportshall.com

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

Kevin Faulk Elected to 2022 College Football HOF

lsusports.net

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Bethel Johnson traded for
former #6 overall draft pick​

June 5, 2006:
The New England Patriots traded WR Bethel Johnson, their 2nd round selection of the 2003 draft, to the New Orleans Saints for DT Johnathan Sullivan, the sixth overall selection of the 2003 draft.

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.​

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Robert Kraft​

Happy 85th birthday to Robert Kraft
Born June 5, 1941 in Brookline
Patriots owner, 1994-present
Purchased team from James Orthwein on January 21, 1994
Pats résumé: 31 seasons, six Super Bowl championships

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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.

It was Robert Kraft who prevented Billy Sullivan and Victor Kiam from moving the team to Jacksonville.
It was Robert Kraft who prevented James Orthwein from moving the team to St. Louis.
It was Robert Kraft who prevented James Orthwein from selling the team to Stan Kroenke, who wanted to move it to St Louis.
And after all was said and done, Robert Kraft did not move the team to Hartford.
It was also Robert Kraft who hired Bill Belichick, and built Gillette Stadium.

In case you are wondering, the photos above are of Bob with Ricki Noel Lander, 38 years his junior, whom he dated from 2012 until 2018, a year after she gave birth to her daughter (not his, according to Bob).


The second set are of him and Dana Blumberg, 33 years his junior, whom he started seeing in 2017 and married in 2022.

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
'Cowboy' Crawford​

June 5, 1960
Boston Patriots sign FB Jim Crawford

Jim 'Cowboy' Crawford was an original Boston Patriot. He played in all 14 games in the inaugural 1960 season, and in 55 games total with the Pats. His best season came in 1962 when he had 683 yards from scrimmage and four touchdowns. For his career Crawford had 1,579 yards from scrimmage with seven touchdowns, plus a pair of two-point conversions.

Here is a clip of Crawford (#30) catching a pass in a 1960 game vs the Houston Oilers:
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Jim Crawford -- Fenway Park Diaries

James L. Crawford - University of Wyoming Athletics Hall of Fame

Jim Crawford is one of the greatest homegrown Wyoming athletes in history. The Greybull, Wyo. native emerged as one of the nation’s best running backs in his senior season. Crawford earned All-American honors in 1956 and was the NCAA rushing yardage leader with 1,104 yards and was selected the Skyline Conference Back of the Year.

Crawford rushed for 103 yards on 18 carries and was voted the Most Valuable Player in the 1956 Sun Bowl, in which Wyoming beat Texas Tech, 21-14. For his career, Crawford rushed for 1,775 yards. He later spent several seasons in the National Football League with the Boston Patriots.

Inducted September 15, 1995

Honors and Awards
[*]1956 All-American
[*]NCAA Rushing Leader
[*]1956 Sun Bowl Most Valuable Player
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James Lee Crawford

James Lee Crawford passed away peacefully at home in Coleman, Okla., on Sunday, June 10, 2018, at the age of 82.

www.codyenterprise.com

He graduated from Greybull High School and went on to the University of Wyoming where he was a standout football player. He is in the Wyoming Hall of Fame twice – once as an individual and once with the undefeated 1956 team. He was an All-American in 1957 and was honored as the Outstanding Player for the Sun Bowl in 1956. He was first in the nation in rushing with 1,104 yards.

Jim was drafted into the Army where he played on the Fort Carson football team, after teaching a year in Lovell. He was a running back on the original AFL Boston Patriots team from 1960-64.

Jim retired as an engineer from the Burlington Northern Railroad after 30 years. He also loved to ranch, rodeo and hunt. He spent many years as a hunting guide in the Thoroughfare and the mountains near Dubois.​

Historical Details - Niobrara County Library

Crawford, Jim - 'Cowboy Tough' Courtesy of The Laramie Boomerang, 11/05/2011 TAILBACK JIM CRAWFORD EPITOMIZED 'COWBOY TOUGH' used with permission from writer Bob Hammond, Laramie Boomerang LARAMIE, Wyo. -- There are various theories on the origin of the term "Cowboy Tough." Regardless of the...

www.niobraracountylibrary.org

There are various theories on the origin of the term "Cowboy Tough."

Regardless of the source, one guy fits the mold: the University of Wyoming's former All-American tailback, Jim Crawford.

He was a rodeo cowboy, a UW Cowboy and was nicknamed "cowboy."

And the Greybull native was as tough as they come.

Just ask former teammate John Watts, who was wingback in the same backfield as Crawford in the mid-1950s.

"Jim was the toughest SOB who ever walked," said Watts, a Ruleville, Miss. native, said with a Southern drawl. "He played injured his whole senior year and never complained. He would just duck his head and run hard. He was a horse."

Watts remembers one instance in UW's 21-14 victory over Texas Tech in the 1956 Sun Bowl.

The Cowboys were on the Red Raiders' 5-yard line and needed two yards for a first down. Crawford carried two players, who weighed some 245 pounds apiece, for three yards and that first down.

"That's the only time I ever heard Jim say anything," Watts said. "He came back to the huddle and said, 'Boy, you think that wasn't hard?'"

Watts said Crawford was not only a football player and competitor, but he was also a great all-around athlete.

Early in Crawford's time at UW, a promoter brought in a police boxing team from Denver for exhibition matches with the locals. They set up a ring in the armory with the dirt floor in the back of the Half Acre.

"The Denver team didn't have a heavyweight to box Teddy Shaffer, Two-Bar Teddy from out at Tie Siding. He was a guard out there," Watts said. "So they coerced (Crawford) to get in the ring with him. Teddy was dancing around trying to hit Jim, and Jim threw one punch - whop! You could hear that all over the place, and that was the end of the fight."

When it came to football, Crawford was something special, especially at UW.

He rushed for 1,775 yards during his three-year career while helping the Cowboys to a record of 24-7, including a 10-0 mark in 1956.

During his senior year in 1956, Crawford emerged as one of the nation's best running backs. That season he was the NCAA rushing yardage leader with 1,104 yards.

Among the running backs he beat out were Jim Brown of Syracuse and Tommy McDonald of Oklahoma.​

UW's Top 50 football players: No. 37

This running back was the first in school history to eclipse the 1,000-yard rushing mark

7220sports.com

#120CowboyTough, 44 Days to Kickoff: Jim Crawford Into the Record Books - University of Wyoming Athletics

July 19, 2013 LARAMIE, Wyo. - Purchase Season Tickets Jim Crawford Into the Record Books After an unremarkable beginning to his career due to injuries,

gowyo.com

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[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
More Old News​

June 5, 1968:
Not Patriots related, but worth mentioning. Shortly after midnight on June 5, 1968, Senator Robert Kennedy is shot at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles after winning the California presidential primary. Immediately after he announced to his cheering supporters that the country was ready to end its fractious divisions, Kennedy was shot several times by 24-year-old Palestinian Sirhan Sirhan. Kennedy was pronounced dead a day later, on June 6, 1968.

As star athletes Rafer Johnson and Roosevelt Grier accompanied Kennedy out a rear exit of the Ambassador Hotel, Sirhan Sirhan stepped forward with a rolled up campaign poster, hiding his .22 revolver. He was only a foot away when he fired several shots at Kennedy. Grier and Johnson wrestled Sirhan to the ground, but not before five bystanders were wounded. Grier was distraught afterward and blamed himself for allowing Kennedy to be shot.

The circumstances surrounding the attack, which took place five years after President John F. Kennedy's assassination, have led to numerous conspiracy theories. Now 82 years old, Sirhan Sirhan is still an inmate in a correctional facility near San Diego. His alleged motive was retribution for Kennedy's support for Israel following the 1967 Arab-Israeli Six-Day War.




June 5, 1969:
The Boston Patriots sign their 8th round draft pick, Notre Dame RB Bob Gladieux

Known as "Harpo" because his hair reminded people of Harpo Marx, Bob Gladieux would have been a completely forgotten late round pick who rarely got to run the ball, being used primarily on special teams.

But thanks to the highly erratic Clive Rush, he is forever remembered in Patriots folklore - for the Bob Gladieux Game.


After an 0-4 preseason which was most noteworthy for having a fire in the stands during a game against Washington at Alumni Stadium, the Patriots made some roster cuts a few days prior to the season opener. Among those released were Johnny Outlaw and Bob Gladieux The Patriots were 7-point underdogs at home against Don Shula's Dolphins, with most thinking Miami would cover that spread with ease..

Gladieux and a friend of his decided to go to the game, and had downed more than one beer as part of the typical pre-game tailgaiting routine. While his buddy went from their seats to the concessions to grab a couple more brewskies, the public address announcer paged Gladieux, to report to the locker room. Rush was in a contract dispute with two other players, who refused to sign the lowball contracts he was offering, so he cut them on the spot - disregarding the impeccably bad timing, with the season opener about to kick off.

Both players were quickly signed to contracts, and as his friend returned to their seats with two beers, he astonishingly heard the PA announcement of 'tackle by Bob Gladieux' on the opening kickoff.


Along with the eight sacks and three turnovers, the Pats defense limited Miami's tandem of Larry Csonka and Jim Kiick to 77 yards on 21 carries. The dominant running game was instead that of the Patriots, led by Jim Nance (89 yards on 20 carries with one TD, plus 28 yards on three catches) and Carl Garrett (6.3 ypc, 88 yards, one TD).

The Patriots scored 24 unanswered points, erasing a 14-3 deficit. A 24-yard touchdown pass from Mike Taliaferro to Ron Sellers in the fourth quarter sealed the victory.

Clive Rush's team came in better prepared and out-executed Don Shula's club. Go figure.


Unfortunately the good times were short lived. The Patriots lost the next nine in a row and Rush did not make it to season's end. The Dolphins were headed in the opposite direction, making the playoffs with a 10-4 record.

But for one brief moment, Clive Rush, Mike Taliaferro, Ron Sellers, Jim Nance and Jim Cheyunski got the best of their future hall of fame counterparts, Don Shula, Bob Griese, Paul Warfield, Larry Csonka and Nick Buoniconti.

3:02 Highlight Video
1970 Dolphins at Patriots week 1
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[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
More of the 20th Century​

June 5, 1984:
The NFL holds its first-ever Supplemental Draft of USFL and CFL players

The Patriots select:
Ricky Sanders, wide receiver for the Houston Gamblers
Eric Jordan, running back for the Oakland Invaders
Walter Lewis, quarterback for the Memphis Showboats

Sanders continued to play in the USFL until the league folded. On August 11, 1986 the Pats traded his rights to Washington in exchange for a 1987 third round pick, and he signed with the Redskins two days later.

Unfortunately this was not a good trade for the Patriots. Sanders played for ten seasons, the first eight with Washington, winning Super Bowls following the 1987 and 1991 seasons. he had back-to-back 1,100-plus yard years in 1988 and 1989, and scored 12 TD in '88. Altogether Sanders had 483 receptions for 6,477 yards with 38 touchdowns in the NFL. The Patriots on the other hand took that third round pick and traded down with Oakland, eventually selecting QB Rich Gannon (who they had to trade away a week later, when he refused to convert to a defensive back) and safety Derrick Beasley - who spent his entire rookie season on IR, and was released a year later without ever playing in an NFL game.

Jordan spent all of '85 and '86 on IR and never played a down in the NFL. Lewis played for Montreal in the CFL after the USFL folded, and finally signed with the Patriots on July 25, 1987 - and was released 38 days later, also never playing in the NFL.

Ouch.




June 5, 1996:
The Patriots sign their second round draft pick, University of Washington safety Lawyer Milloy

Similar to Bob Gladieux, Lawyer Milloy should have a famous Pats game named after him. But instead, thanks to ESPN's Tom Jackson, the first game of the 2003 season is known as the They Hate Their Coach Game rather than The Lawyer Milloy Game.

Despite the imperfect ending in Foxborough, Milloy was a hell of a good player while with the Patriots, going to four Pro Bowls, winning one Lombardi, playing in 112 regular season games and nine postseason games in a Patriots uniform. Lawyer is one of only a handful of players that is on a Patriots All-Decade Team twice, for both the 1990s and 2000s.

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
News from the Aughts​

June 5, 2001:
The Patriots sign veteran free agent DT Riddick Parker, who had started all 16 games in 2000 for Seattle.

Parker would play in 13 games for the patriots in 2001, plus three postseason games, including Super Bowl XXXVI.

Former rivals among latest editions

The Patriots have signed seven free agents from AFC East rivals, and all came from either the Dolphins or Bills.

www.patriots.com

Two days before Smith came, Parker was added to the defensive line competition. The 6-3, 274-pound defensive tackle spent the last four seasons with the Seattle Seahawks after going undrafted out of North Carolina.​

Parker started all 16 games for Seattle in 2000, his first year as a full-time starter. Ironically, Parker was not brought back to Seattle after the Seahawks signed former Patriot Chad Eaton and Minnesota defensive tackle John Randle this offseason.​

Parker earns praise from Belichick

After two preseason games, the team leader in tackles for New England is backup defensive lineman Riddick Parker with seven.

www.patriots.com

Remembering Riddick Parker: 'Richmond Public Schools has lost a superstar'

Riddick Parker, a former professional football player and principal at George Wythe High School in Richmond, passed away unexpectedly Aug. 19.

www.wtvr.com

Darkness on the edge of the Patriots dynasty

Death and distress haunt members of the 2001 title team. Read more on Boston.com.

www.boston.com

Highway crashes claimed receivers Terry Glenn, in 2017, at age 43, and David Patten, in 2021, at 47. Two of their former teammates succumbed to cancer: linebacker T.J. Turner, in 2014, at 35, and defensive back Leonard Myers, in 2018, at 38. A heart attack felled offensive lineman Kenyatta Jones in 2018, at 39, and defensive lineman Riddick Parker died suddenly while riding his bicycle in August, at 49.​

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June 5, 2008:
The Patriots release punter Mike Dragosavich

Former Bison punter released by Pats

FARGO (AP) -- The New England Patriots have cut former North Dakota State punter Mike Dragosavich. The Patriots had signed Dragosavich as an undrafted free agent in early May. They released him Thursday.

www.jamestownsun.com

Punter Dragosavich released

The Patriots announced the release of rookie free agent punter Mike Dragosavich today.

www.boston.com

Dragosavich, of North Dakota State, was originally signed May 5. He was competing against veterans Chris Hanson and Scott Player, with Hanson the incumbent after punting wire to wire for the Patriots last season.​

The Patriots probably would have liked to bring Dragosavich to training camp, but with a roster limit of 80 players (instead of the 86, with exemptions, from years past), there is more of a premium on back-end roster spots this year.​

Taking three punters to camp under those conditions was likely a luxury the team felt it couldn’t afford.​

From May 3, 2008:

Bigg Redd; Saturday rookie minicamp notes

Media access to rookie minicamp concluded Saturday morning as New England’s 27 draft picks, rookie free agents and tryout players worked out in the Dana Farber Field House behind Gillette Stadium.

www.patriots.com

What a Drag!​

North Dakota State punter Mike Dragosavich was one of the tryout players who seemed to make a good impression in rookie mini camp. On Friday, the lanky, 6-6, 212-pounder showed great technique while booming several punts that hit the ceiling of the Patriots practice bubble before they hit the ground. When a reporter joked with him about trying to break the lights that are suspended from the ceiling, he replied, "I was just trying to have good form and listen to what the coach was teaching me and perform my assignment. And when you do that, you should be able to get good hang time. That's what your goal is, so, that's what I was going for."​

"Mike's pretty athletic," Belichick observed. "He's a tall guy, he can generate some leg speed there." Belichick was asked if it more or less difficult to evaluate a punter indoors versus outside in inclement weather. The coach said he was fine with watching kicks indoors, even if they hit the ceiling. "Even though you don't get the full punt, you can see when they're hitting the ball well and when they're not. You can watch the way the punter drops the ball and the way it contacts his foot. You can get a pretty good idea of what you need to work on, and how much work you have to do."​

"It's been a great experience," Dragosavich declared after Saturday morning's practice. "Trying to work as hard as I can to get better every single day. I feel like I've been learning a ton and just having fun out here."​

Dragosavich also had fun in college, some of which can be seen on YouTube. During halftime of an NDSU basketball game, Dragosavich entertained the crowd with a spirited, five-minute dance routine that his friends videotaped and uploaded to the popular website. He revealed that he made the music mix tape himself from some of his "old-school" favorites, including Micheal Jackson's Thriller.​

"It was just something I did, tried to put some smiles on people's faces and cheer some people up," Dragosavich explained. "I just try to live my life by having a good time and be positive about everything."​

He said he ad-libbed most of his dance moves in the routine. Asked if any of the other Patriots players had heard about his antics yet, he wasn't sure, but added with a laugh, "I'm sure it'll come up."​

New NDSU sports bar doubles as school television studio

FARGO, N.D. (AP) With North Dakota State enjoying a stretch of four straight national football titles since it moved up to Division I athletics, a group of NDSU athlete alumni decided it was time for Bison Nation to have a new sports…

www.marinij.com

Unfortunately the video mentioned above seems to have been deleted, but there is this interview:
​

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
2010s Tidbits​

June 5, 2013:
Patriots waive RB Akeem Shavers

This was Shavers' second and final stop with an NFL team, both of which were extremely brief. He was signed as an undrafted rookie out of Purdue by Tampa Bay on May 3, and released three days later. Shavers lasted a bit longer with the Pats - almost a month - having been claimed on waivers May 7. He resurfaced two years later in the CFL, winning the Grey Cup with the Edmonton Eskimos.

June 5, 2014:
Five-time first team All Pro DT Kevin Williams gets a visit with the Pats

Williams has been a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and will likely gain entrance to Canton at some point. He would have been turning 34 soon after training camp opened, and chose Seattle over New England.

Longtime Vikings DT Kevin Williams visiting Patriots

Father Bill's Home for Wayward Veterans is taking a look at another orphan.

www.nbcsports.com

Patriots Reportedly Visiting with DT Kevin Williams

The Patriots are reportedly entertaining a visit with six-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Kevin Williams.

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Williams (6-5, 311 pounds) is visiting the Patriots today, according to CSNNE’s Tom E. Curran. The 33-year-old has played his entire career for the Minnesota Vikings, showing remarkable durability while missing only five regular season games.​

Drafted ninth overall in 2003, Williams predates Vince Wilfork in the NFL by one year. He has 463 total tackles in his career, 60 sacks, and eight forced fumbles.​

Report: Kevin Williams Turned Down More Money From Patriots In Order To Sign With Seahawks

The Patriots are learning what life on the other side is like.

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When the Patriots were winning Super Bowls, it was not uncommon to see veteran free agents take less money in order to play for Bill Belichick and contend for Super Bowls. Now that the Seahawks are defending champions, the Patriots are learning what life on the other side of that equation is like.​

Defensive tackle Kevin Williams signed with the Seahawks over the weekend, and ESPN's Ben Goessling reported that Williams had actually turned down an offer from the Pats that could have paid him more money.​

Williams told Goessling that the Seahawks "had a few more pieces in place for me" than the Patriots did.​

Quick-hit thoughts around NFL & Pats - Mike Reiss, ESPN

The Patriots didn’t lose out on free-agent defensive tackle Kevin Williams, who agreed to join the Seahawks on Thursday, because of money. In fact, Williams told ESPN.com NFL Nation Vikings reporter Ben Goessling that the Patriots actually offered a contract with greater earning potential than Seattle. That’s a surprise to me, and it might reflect some internal concern with 11-year veteran Tommy Kelly (coming back from a torn ACL) and first-year player Armond Armstead (missed 2013 season due to an infection and hasn’t been practicing the past two weeks). Also, first-round draft choice Dominique Easley is coming off a torn ACL, and stalwart veteran Vince Wilfork is coming back from a ruptured Achilles. The Patriots sometimes lure players to town for less money because of the appeal of playing with Tom Brady in a winning program, but this was a case where it went the other way, even with Williams’ former defensive line coach Brendan Daly now in New England. The Seahawks sit atop the NFL’s mountaintop right now.​

June 5, 2015:
Former New England CB Aqib Talib is hospitalized after suffering a gunshot wound.

Broncos CB Aqib Talib suffers gunshot wound to right leg

abcnews.com

In 2009, Talib was arrested and charged with simple battery and resisting arrest for assaulting a cab driver. The NFL suspended him for the first game of the 2010 season, and he was entered into a pretrial diversion program and ordered to attend anger-management classes. He reached an undisclosed financial settlement with the driver.​

Talib was indicted on an aggravated assault charge for an incident near Dallas in 2011; he allegedly pistol-whipped his sister's boyfriend and fired shots at the man, but the charges were dismissed for lack of evidence.​

In 2014, the Broncos were initially informed Talib had been arrested in Dallas, but it was actually Talib's brother, Yaqub Talib, who had been arrested. Dallas police released a correction on social media saying information that Aqib Talib had been arrested "was incorrect.''​

In 2015, Talib and his brother were questioned at the scene of an aggravated assault at a Dallas nightclub. Talib was questioned by police and his car was towed and examined for evidence, but he was not charged.​

Talib signed a six-year, $57 million deal with the Broncos in 2014.​

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Jan 6, 2017 follow up:

Exclusive video shows NFL player Aqib Talib the night he shot himself in Dallas

News 8 has received exclusive video of Aqib Talib being brought to Medical City Dallas in his White Rolls-Royce the night he was shot in June.

www.kcentv.com

News 8 has received exclusive video of Aqib Talib being brought to Medical City Dallas in his White Rolls-Royce the night he was shot in June.​

The Denver Broncos cornerback had a gunshot wound to his leg. Dallas police released the video and pictures from the hospital from June 5.​

While in his hospital bed, Talib initially told detectives he had been shot while at a park.​

He said that night that he “heard a shot and felt burning in his right leg and then he fell to the ground."​

He also said he had been "drinking since 7 p.m.” and that he didn’t remember anything else from that night.​

Pictures of the Rolls-Royce that night show blood in the interior and what police say is marijuana found inside the car.​

For months, Dallas police tried to verify Talib's story. There were questions because before he showed up at the hospital he was at a strip club, V Live in northwest Dallas.​

911 calls were also provided to News 8, in which callers were heard screaming about the shooting.​

There was a shooting at the club, where two people were shot. Police could never prove Talib was at the club at that time.​

They pressed him on his story, and eventually his attorney, Frank Perez, sent DPD a letter saying Talib admitted he accidentally shot himself and lied to officers.​

"Mr. Talib stated he was disoriented and was on morphine and that the police wouldn't let him see his family,” Perez wrote. “And the thought of losing his football career that he just said he was shot."​