Today In Patriots History March 31, 1993: New Uniforms Unveiled; Flying Elvis Introduced

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Pats Unveil Flying Elvis​

March 31, 1993:
After hiring Bill Parcells, James Orthwein wanted to futher distance the team from the Victor Kiam-Rod Rust-**** MacPherson era by introducing a brand new uniform design for the New England Patriots. The club was now on its fifth head coach in four seasons, compiling a record of 14-50 during that time frame.

Andre Tippett and Pat Harlow multitasking as models on March 31, 1993

​

The Evolution of the Patriots Logo and Uniform -- Patriots.com (April 1, 2016)

The Patriots have had three logos and three major uniform schemes since their debut in 1960.​

A new owner in 1992 and a new head coach and quarterback in 1993 seemed like the perfect time to change up the team's uniforms for the first time ever. Owner James Orthwein and his marketing team reportedly gave NFL Properties only a few months to develop the new logo and uniform color scheme.​

Harkening back somewhat to the 1979 design that was booed out of the stadium, the designers quickly developed what we now refer to as the "Flying Elvis" just in time for the 1993 season. Orthwein also noted that the colonists' opponents wore red during the Revolution, so it made sense to change out the primary jersey to blue. The new uniforms, royal blue with red numbers outlined in white and silver pants and helmets, were also introduced. Silver, it was noted, was the hot color for sports uniforms at the time.​

While Flying Elvis has remained the team's logo since 1993, the uniforms would undergo significant changes. After the 1993 season, the seemingly hard-to-read red numbers on the royal blue jerseys were changed to white numbers outlined in red. The blue jerseys also had white numbers outlined in red on the shoulders and the new logo on the sleeves.​

A year after Robert Kraft bought the team in 1994, the uniforms underwent a slight overhaul for 1995. The colors remained the same, but the names and numbers were italicized while the body of the jersey was given a pinstripe pattern. The new jerseys also switched the position of the number and the logo on the arms, moving the number to the sleeves while the logo moved to the shoulders.​

Note the pant stripes that mirror the Elvis head from blue to red; only lasted one season​

There had been rumors and speculation about a uniform chage for a while; this column is from the Globe on January 29, 1993.

Happy birthday, Flying Elvis: A run through Patriots logo history

COMMENTARY Earlier this week, RamsNewLook.com went live, confirming a leaked logo broken by a fan whose buddy saw some embargoed gear at his sporting goods store. The Los Angeles Rams followed through on their promise to rebrand alongside their scheduled move into $5 billion SoFi Stadium this...

www.boston.com

James Orthwein is best remembered for trying and failing to relocate the Patriots to his native St. Louis, but he made two changes with lasting impact: Hiring Bill Parcells, and installing the logo today immortalized in countless tattoos and, most notably, on six Super Bowl banners. An advertising executive and longtime board member at Anheuser Busch, Orthwein didn’t much worry about making waves as he took over the NFL’s worst franchise, which he promised from the start he planned to quickly flip after he stabilized the business.​

After going 2-14 in 1992, New England’s fourth straight losing season and sixth straight missing the playoffs, January 1993 brought a flurry of activity. Coach **** MacPherson was fired, news leaked that Orthwein was seeking bids to sell the team for the $110 million he’d put into it, and Parcells left his job at NBC to turn the Patriots into an on-field winner. Though unknown at the time, his introductory presser was largely the last gasp of Pat Patriot.​

A week later, the first story broke that “the team had started talks with NFL Properties about changing its logo.” Not even two months later, it was done, approved by the NFL in the second week of March and leaked by the Globe to the world on March 26.​

“I am extremely pleased,” Orthwein said. “Merchandising is no longer just a local situation. Many professional sports teams today are marketing themselves to the nation and the world. It is no accident that teams such as the Chicago Bulls, the San Jose Sharks, and the Orlando Magic are attracting fan interest and selling merchandise across the country because of their appealing logos and color schemes.”​

The Elvis comments came quickly, as did references to the Old Man of the Mountain and Darth Vader. When the team unveiled its uniforms and the script Patriots wordmark the following week, with trendy silver helmets and primarily blue jerseys, Orthwein noted that “we wanted to be historically accurate. The British Army wore red, not the Patriots.”​

Alternate logo, 1993-1999​

Reminiscing on anniversary of day the Patriots introduced their new logo

On March 31, 1993, the Patriots were among the NFL's worst teams on the field and in merchandise sales. A new logo helped signal their turnaround.

www.espn.com

Then-owner James Orthwein was quoted in the Boston Globe saying, "This is evolution, not revolution. The Minuteman is still the central focus. I like to think of memories as the rearview mirror we monitor as we drive into the future."​

Linebacker Andre Tippett was present at the news conference to model the road jersey, while offensive tackle Pat Harlow did the same with the home jersey. First-year head coach Bill Parcells was also on hand, but predictably had little to say about the changes.​

"I don't have any expertise in fashion design," he told reporters. "I think all uniforms look nice when you've got good players playing in them."​

​

The changes, which weren't well received by a faction of fans who preferred the traditional "Pat Patriot" logo, serve as a reminder of how far the Patriots have come from a merchandise and revenue standpoint.​

In a Globe story from the March 31, 1993, news conference, reporter Peter May wrote, "The Patriots, who are in the sixth largest TV market and the AFC's top sole market team (the Jets share theirs), still ranked 26th among the 28 teams in merchandising sales, ahead of only Tampa Bay and Phoenix. So the NFL Properties people didn't object to waiving the one-year rule regarding uniform changes."​

This was also a time in which Parcells' arrival brought new hope to the franchise, which was a doormat coming off seasons with records of 1-15, 6-10 and 2-14. Parcells' arrival, and then the selection of quarterback Drew Bledsoe with the No. 1 overall pick in the draft, began the process of sparking a dramatic turnaround.​

Eleven months later, Robert Kraft purchased the team from Orthwein -- ensuring the franchise would be staying in New England -- and the two shook hands in front of a backdrop that featured the new logo. A silver Patriots helmet rested on the table in front of them.​

First came the new look, then a new beginning in leadership.​

Merchandise sales have never seemed to lag since.​

]Patriots Unveil New Uniforms -- Sports Logo News

Fortunately this never came to fruition:

 

[signbabybrady]

And I still think I'm ten. How has 32 years passed.

 

[TheRainMaker]

I really hope Bob plans to surprise us all with new uniforms by the draft. I can't go another year with awful uniforms they currently have. I want a royal blue and silver pants combos like the 90's.

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Ernie Adams​

Happy 72nd birthday to Ernie Adams
Born March 31, 1953 in Waltham
Patriot football research director, 2000-2020
Hired as an offensive administrative assistant breaking down film by Hank Bullough/Chuck Fairbanks in 1975
Pats résumé: six super bowl rings, and bringing the phrase 'Pink Stripes' into Pats fandom


Today in the history of the New England Patriots we celebrate the birthday of the man, the myth, the legend: Ernie Adams.

Ernie Adams turns turns 72 on March 31. The Pats’ Football Research Director was Bill Belichick’s trusted right hand man. Though he avoided publicity more than Greta Garbo, Adams may have been one of the three most important people to the team’s success this millennium.


As a youth, Ernie Adams’ primary interests were military history and football strategy. ‘Interest’ is actually putting it extremely mildly. As a teen Adams owned a copy of Football Scouting Methods, an obscure book read almost exclusively by a very select group professional football scouts. That book was written by one Steve Belichick – Bill Belichick’s father. As fate would have it the two would meet when the younger Belichick enrolled at Phillips Academy. The perfect alliance was born.

Adams enrolled at Northwestern University where he sought a job as a student assistant on the football coaching staff, and his coaching career took off. After graduation he bugged Chuck Fairbanks for a job as an unpaid assistant, and New England’s coach finally relented. He immediately impressed far beyond expectations. After Fairbanks departed for greener pastures, Adams caught on with the New York Giants. Once there he told head coach Ray Perkins there was somebody he needed to hire: Bill Belichick. Adams moved up the ranks and was Bill Parcells’ director of pro personnel from 1982-85. After becoming frustrated with the Giants he left football to become a bonds trader on Wall Street.


Belichick and Adams reunited when BB became Cleveland’s head coach in 1991. Art Modell – who should go down in infamy for firing the two greatest coaches in pro football history – dumped Belichick on his way out of town for Baltimore. Adams was apparently not eager to again work for Bill Parcells, and started his own investment business.

Ernie Adams joins the New England Patriots​

Adams re-joined the Patriots’ staff when Belichick became New England’s head coach in 2000. Adams is known for thinking outside of the box, beyond the scope of traditional football thought. A Rutgers statistics professor once published a study on when teams should go for a two-point conversion. Adams was the only NFL person to contact the professor to follow up on his work. From his viewpoint up above in the coaches box, Adams was one of the few with direct communications to Belichick.

​

Tom Brady once said that Ernie Adams “knows more about professional football than anyone I ever met.” Brady added “You have to make (the defense) defend the width of the field and the length of the field. Ernie told me, he once told me, ‘Make them defend every blade of grass.’ I think that’s a great thing to do. They’ve got to be able to – that’s how you stress the defense. You can force the ball to all different parts of the field, and they never really know who’s going to get it.”

​

I highly recommend that everyone read (or re-read) David Halberstam’s Education of a Coach for more insight on Ernie Adams. If you don’t have a copy already you can get one on Amazon for a couple bucks.

In the interim, check out these articles below for more.



Mystery Man – If you’re a true Patriot, then you need to know Ernie Adams, Coach Bill Belichick’s voice-in-his ear, football-genius right-hand man -- Northwestern University Magazine



Who Is This Guy? You don’t know his face, but he’s the biggest secret behind the Patriot’s success -- ESPN

Mysterious Ernie Adams is Patriots’ man behind the curtain - The Boston Globe

Is this little-known Bill Belichick confidant the secret to the Patriots’ success?

www.bostonglobe.com

Tom Brady shares words of wisdom from New England Patriots research director Ernie Adams

New England Patriots QB Tom Brady shared words of wisdom from infamous research director Ernie Adams.

www.masslive.com

Adams’s role? It’s top secret -- boston.com

'Inside joke and proprietary information;’ Ernie Adams takes mystery of ‘Pink Stripes’ into retirement

The Patriots' longtime assistant spoke to the media before his final practice.

www.masslive.com

Longtime Patriots assistant Ernie Adams ends 4-decade NFL run

Ernie Adams' time with the Patriots has come to an end.

www.milforddailynews.com

10 things we learned from Ernie Adams's in-depth podcast interview

After a recent interview on a Patriots podcast, here's what we learned about Ernie Adams, one of Bill Belichick's best friends and confidants.

www.boston.com

6:13 interview between Scott Pioli and Julian Edelman




2:47:35 Games with Names, Ernie Adams and Julian Edelman

 

[jmt57]

One more short video:

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Jim Colclough​

In memory of Jim Colclough, who would have turned 89 today
Born March 31, 1936 in Medford; grew up in Quincy
Died May 16, 2004 at the age of 68 in Brewster, Cape Cod
Patriot flanker, split end and tight end, 1960-1968; uniform #81
Signed as a free agent approximately February 1, 1960
Pats résumé: 9 seasons, 126 games (82 starts); 17.7 yard avg on 283 catches for 5,001 yards, 39 TD; AFL All-Star; Pats All-1960s Team


The Quincy native and Boston College grad was an original Boston Patriot, and star of the American Football League. Colclough was a late draft pick by Washington in 1959, but he did not make the Redskin roster and then played in Canada for one year. Colclough is a member of the Patriots All-Decade Team of the 1960’s. He caught 283 passes for 5001 yards, averaging 17.7 yards per reception while scoring 39 touchdowns.

Jim Colclough also scored the first regular season touchdown in Patriots' history. On September 9, 1960, he caught a 10-yard TD pass from Butch Songin in the first regular season AFL game ever played, against the Denver Broncos.



1968 Boston Patriots Media Guide -- pages 50-51
Jim Colclough - SpE - 31 - 6', 185 - Boston College
An all-time Patriot star . . . has provided Pats fans throughout the tears with some of their greatest thrills . . . ranks behins only (Lance) Alworth and (Elbert) Dubenion in best all-time AFL average gain with passes caught (17.6) . . . ranks ninth in top ten of all-time AFL pass receivers . . . has caught 275 passes for 4,865 yards in his eight years of AFL play . . . was traded to Jets in 1965 for John Huarte but Pats traded later to get him back . . . knows his way around . . . had 16 catches for 284 yards in '66 . . . an original Patriot . . . spent a year before AFL career as defensive back in Canada . . . an extremely spirited competitor.

More from the Patriots’ archives:

Jim Colclough was one of the original Patriots, having played with Boston from 1960 through 1968. He was also one of the most productive wide receivers in franchise history, a fact not widely known among some of the later-generation Patriots fans since his playing days came in the early days when pro football was just getting its foothold in New England.​

But make no mistake, Jim had some of the best hands in the game.​

Jim spent an offseason in 1965 with the New York Jets where he developed a close friendship with superstar Joe Namath. Later, along with the Bruins Derek Sanderson, they opened a sports bar in Boston’s Park Square called The Bachelors 3.​

After football, Jim got a Masters in Education. He was the head coach at Boston State (Div. III) and won the league championship in 1978-79. He also worked in the financial services field and authored a Lotus program eventually bought by New England Life.​

​

Jim Colclough passes away -- Patriots.com:

Colclough launched his professional career as a defensive back for a season in the Canadian Football League, but returned to his native New England in 1960 when he signed as a receiver with the Boston Patriots of the American Football League. That year, he led the team with 49 receptions for 666 yards and nine touchdowns. For the next nine seasons, he was one of the most productive players in the AFL, compiling 283 career receptions for 5,001 yards and 39 touchdowns. His 17.7-yard average per reception remains third in franchise history and his 39 touchdown receptions currently ranks fourth.​

He held the Patriots career record with 5,001 yards receiving until Stanley Morgan eclipsed it in 1983 and he remains one of only five Patriots players to reach the 5,000-yard receiving plateau. His 283 career receptions still ranks seventh in franchise history.​

​

He was born James Michael Colclough on March 31, 1936 in Medford, Mass. and was raised in Quincy, Mass. After starting for two seasons at Quincy High, he attended Boston College before launching his professional career in 1959.​

On a side note, for more on Bachelor’s 3 check out the following:

The End of Daisy Buchanan’s: Sports Stars Flocked to Storied Boston Bar

For many Boston athletes -- as well as visiting teams -- game night wasn’t complete without a stop at the famous Newbury St. bar.

www.boston.com

The Daisy’s story begins in 1969, in the booth of a Manhattan restaurant. Jets quarterback Joe Namath had summoned Derek Sanderson, the wildly charismactic Bruins star, to New York for a business meeting. The NFL had told Namath that the bar he owned in New York was a conflict of interest. Namath had quit football over it, but he wanted back in, without giving up his business interests. Sanderson was his solution.​

Sanderson signed on as a partner, helping to open a version of Namath’s bar, Bachelors III, in Boston. In a recent memoir, Sanderson describes his early days as a bar owner:​

“Every night was sensational fun. There were lineups around the block. When the Bruins were in town, we were there until two in the morning every night. All the waitresses were great-looking. It was a beauty contest. …I was thinking, “This is unbelievable! And I’m the boss!’’’’​

Unhappy with making money for someone else, Sanderson cut ties with Namath, partnering with Cimino to open Daisy Buchanan’s. The bar, named after the Great Gatsby’s lover in the classic F. Scott Fitzgerald, opened in September of 1970.​

Bruins Legend Derek Sanderson Recalls His Venture Into The Bar Business With Joe Namath -- Crossing the Line, by Derek Sanderson

The Bachelor's III Ordeal - by Dave Steidel

Joe Namath's playboy-like image was built in-part by his situation with the Bachelor's III. Dave Steidel recalls Namath, Suzy Storm, and Bachelor's III. Joe Namath and Suzy Storm In the spring of 1969 he was at it again! Nine years after then LA Rams

talesfromtheamericanfootballleague.com

In the spring of 1969 he was at it again! Nine years after then LA Rams GM Pete Rozelle fought, and lost, the AFL over the signing of LSU star Billy Cannon, the commissioner of the NFL looked to take down the AFL’s most publicized hero who had just knocked the NFL off of its pedestal in Super Bowl III. Previously, in his ongoing disdain for the AFL, Rozelle coerced Atlanta out of their expansion plans by giving them expansion team, looked the other way when the Giants signed Pete Gogolak away from Buffalo and would eventually investigate Len Dawson days before Super Bowl IV, not to mention his bitter dislike and ongoing feud for his nemesis and former AFL commissioner/current Raiders owner Al Davis. Now his sights were set on Super Bowl III MVP Joe Namath.​

Running with reports that Namath’s new business establishment was a local watering hole for known mobsters and mafia personalities, Rozelle summoned the Jets quarterback to a meeting and issued a demand for Joe to sell off his interest in his Bachelors III Manhattan bar. Located at 798 Lexington Avenue in NYC, the hot spot nightclub owned by singer Bobby Van, teammate Ray Abbruzzese and Namath had drawn the media’s attention when Bachelors III opened to rave reviews, while having to turn away overflow crowds. With its overwhelming early success, plans were already in the making to open more places in Boston, Miami and New Orleans.​

Oct 1, 1969: grand opening of the Bachelors III in Boston​

They were never my lovers, but. . .

When Derek Sanderson, Jim Colclough, and Joe Namath opened Bachelors III in Boston, they hired young women from Northeastern University to be dancers at the club. One of them became an acquaintance…

mesenescent.wordpress.com

When Derek Sanderson, Jim Colclough, and Joe Namath opened Bachelors III in Boston, they hired young women from Northeastern University to be dancers at the club. One of them became an acquaintance of mine. That is, a few years later her mother and I became BFF.​

Her daughter began dancing at Bachelors III, and my friend charged right into the city to see what kind of place the night club was and what kind of dancing her daughter was doing. She was no “stage mom” urging her daughter on; she was Mama Bear protecting her young. Even Joe Namath wouldn’t have dared cross her.​

I never asked her daughter what she thought of her mom hanging around, but eventually the bachelors decided my friend—as long as she was there all the time—would make a good hostess. She was tall and elegant and as beautiful as her daughter. Long after the daughter left, my friend was still there as hostess. She was an accountant, and eventually they had her keeping the books of the money-losing concern. She worked for Joe and friends until the club closed in not-so-glorious circumstances.​

Jim Colclough (1991) - Varsity Club Hall of Fame - Boston College Athletics

Boston College Athletics

bceagles.com

My Favorite Football Player Growing Up Was Jimmy Colclough AKA: "Jimmy Coleslaw"

Read more about My Favorite Football Player Growing Up Was Jimmy Colclough AKA: "Jimmy Coleslaw" on https://www.barstoolsports.com/

www.barstoolsports.com

Fenway Park Diaries -- Jim Colclough, E

Pro Football Archives -- Jim Colclough

Jim Colclough Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College | Pro-Football-Reference.com

Checkout the latest stats for Jim Colclough. Get info about his position, age, height, weight, college, draft, and more on Pro-football-reference.com.

www.pro-football-reference.com

 

[Actual Pats Fan]

One more short video:

Please edit: Adams re-joined the Patriots' staff...in 2000.

 

[Actual Pats Fan]

Today in Patriots History
Pats Unveil Flying Elvis​

March 31, 1993:
After hiring Bill Parcells, James Orthwein wanted to futher distance the team from the Victor Kiam-Rod Rust-**** MacPherson era by introducing a brand new uniform design for the New England Patriots. The club was now on its fifth head coach in four seasons, compiling a record of 14-50 during that time frame.

Andre Tippett and Pat Harlow multitasking as models on March 31, 1993

​

The Evolution of the Patriots Logo and Uniform -- Patriots.com (April 1, 2016)

The Patriots have had three logos and three major uniform schemes since their debut in 1960.​

A new owner in 1992 and a new head coach and quarterback in 1993 seemed like the perfect time to change up the team's uniforms for the first time ever. Owner James Orthwein and his marketing team reportedly gave NFL Properties only a few months to develop the new logo and uniform color scheme.​

Harkening back somewhat to the 1979 design that was booed out of the stadium, the designers quickly developed what we now refer to as the "Flying Elvis" just in time for the 1993 season. Orthwein also noted that the colonists' opponents wore red during the Revolution, so it made sense to change out the primary jersey to blue. The new uniforms, royal blue with red numbers outlined in white and silver pants and helmets, were also introduced. Silver, it was noted, was the hot color for sports uniforms at the time.​

While Flying Elvis has remained the team's logo since 1993, the uniforms would undergo significant changes. After the 1993 season, the seemingly hard-to-read red numbers on the royal blue jerseys were changed to white numbers outlined in red. The blue jerseys also had white numbers outlined in red on the shoulders and the new logo on the sleeves.​

A year after Robert Kraft bought the team in 1994, the uniforms underwent a slight overhaul for 1995. The colors remained the same, but the names and numbers were italicized while the body of the jersey was given a pinstripe pattern. The new jerseys also switched the position of the number and the logo on the arms, moving the number to the sleeves while the logo moved to the shoulders.​

Note the pant stripes that mirror the Elvis head from blue to red; only lasted one season​

There had been rumors and speculation about a uniform chage for a while; this column is from the Globe on January 29, 1993.

Happy birthday, Flying Elvis: A run through Patriots logo history

COMMENTARY Earlier this week, RamsNewLook.com went live, confirming a leaked logo broken by a fan whose buddy saw some embargoed gear at his sporting goods store. The Los Angeles Rams followed through on their promise to rebrand alongside their scheduled move into $5 billion SoFi Stadium this...

www.boston.com

James Orthwein is best remembered for trying and failing to relocate the Patriots to his native St. Louis, but he made two changes with lasting impact: Hiring Bill Parcells, and installing the logo today immortalized in countless tattoos and, most notably, on six Super Bowl banners. An advertising executive and longtime board member at Anheuser Busch, Orthwein didn’t much worry about making waves as he took over the NFL’s worst franchise, which he promised from the start he planned to quickly flip after he stabilized the business.​

After going 2-14 in 1992, New England’s fourth straight losing season and sixth straight missing the playoffs, January 1993 brought a flurry of activity. Coach **** MacPherson was fired, news leaked that Orthwein was seeking bids to sell the team for the $110 million he’d put into it, and Parcells left his job at NBC to turn the Patriots into an on-field winner. Though unknown at the time, his introductory presser was largely the last gasp of Pat Patriot.​

A week later, the first story broke that “the team had started talks with NFL Properties about changing its logo.” Not even two months later, it was done, approved by the NFL in the second week of March and leaked by the Globe to the world on March 26.​

“I am extremely pleased,” Orthwein said. “Merchandising is no longer just a local situation. Many professional sports teams today are marketing themselves to the nation and the world. It is no accident that teams such as the Chicago Bulls, the San Jose Sharks, and the Orlando Magic are attracting fan interest and selling merchandise across the country because of their appealing logos and color schemes.”​

The Elvis comments came quickly, as did references to the Old Man of the Mountain and Darth Vader. When the team unveiled its uniforms and the script Patriots wordmark the following week, with trendy silver helmets and primarily blue jerseys, Orthwein noted that “we wanted to be historically accurate. The British Army wore red, not the Patriots.”​

Alternate logo, 1993-1999​

Reminiscing on anniversary of day the Patriots introduced their new logo

On March 31, 1993, the Patriots were among the NFL's worst teams on the field and in merchandise sales. A new logo helped signal their turnaround.

www.espn.com

Then-owner James Orthwein was quoted in the Boston Globe saying, "This is evolution, not revolution. The Minuteman is still the central focus. I like to think of memories as the rearview mirror we monitor as we drive into the future."​

Linebacker Andre Tippett was present at the news conference to model the road jersey, while offensive tackle Pat Harlow did the same with the home jersey. First-year head coach Bill Parcells was also on hand, but predictably had little to say about the changes.​

"I don't have any expertise in fashion design," he told reporters. "I think all uniforms look nice when you've got good players playing in them."​

​

The changes, which weren't well received by a faction of fans who preferred the traditional "Pat Patriot" logo, serve as a reminder of how far the Patriots have come from a merchandise and revenue standpoint.​

In a Globe story from the March 31, 1993, news conference, reporter Peter May wrote, "The Patriots, who are in the sixth largest TV market and the AFC's top sole market team (the Jets share theirs), still ranked 26th among the 28 teams in merchandising sales, ahead of only Tampa Bay and Phoenix. So the NFL Properties people didn't object to waiving the one-year rule regarding uniform changes."​

This was also a time in which Parcells' arrival brought new hope to the franchise, which was a doormat coming off seasons with records of 1-15, 6-10 and 2-14. Parcells' arrival, and then the selection of quarterback Drew Bledsoe with the No. 1 overall pick in the draft, began the process of sparking a dramatic turnaround.​

Eleven months later, Robert Kraft purchased the team from Orthwein -- ensuring the franchise would be staying in New England -- and the two shook hands in front of a backdrop that featured the new logo. A silver Patriots helmet rested on the table in front of them.​

First came the new look, then a new beginning in leadership.​

Merchandise sales have never seemed to lag since.​

]Patriots Unveil New Uniforms -- Sports Logo News

Fortunately this never came to fruition:

Orthwein - along with Kraft less than a year later - sought to distance the team from the Sullivan/Kiam ownerships. The relatively short Flutie-less era helped support their defecating on all the prior success - and support - during its first three decades.

Bill Parcells was not in favor of this and definitely had no idea it would happen, let alone almost right after his hiring day, when his picture was taken wearing a jacket with the classic logo along with the biggest, happiest smile I ever saw from him.

I feel blessed that Harry Mangurian didn't do the same (not that Auerbach ever would have let him) after the John Y. Brown/Sidney Wicks era of the Celtics. Thus, Larry Bird played his legendary career looking like a champion, unlike Tom Brady.

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Scott Pioli​

Happy 60th birthday to Scott Pioli
Born March 31, 1965 in Washingtonville, New York
Patriot Assistant Director/Director/VP of Player Personnel, 2000-2008
Hired as Assistant Director of Player Personnel on February 10, 2000
Pats résumé: three super bowl championships; three-time NFL Executive of the Year


According to a now dead link on his Wikipedia page, Scott Pioli's relationship with Bill Belichick dated back to the mid-1980s, when as a student at Central Connecticut, Pioli would drive 90 minutes to the New York Giants training camp. Through a mutual friend, Pioli was introduced to the then-Giants defensive coordinator, who was impressed at Pioli's dedication to travel to each practice and offered him a place to stay.

Pioli was a grad assistant at Syracuse in 1988 and 1989, an offensive line coach at Murray State in 1990, an dedefensive line coach there in 1991. The following year Belichick hired Pioli to be a pro personnel assistant by Belichick with the Cleveland Browns.

Scott Pioli G’05 reflects on nearly three-decade career in the NFL with Newhouse students

Connecting Syracuse University students, alumni, and professionals in sports media.

newhousesports.syr.edu

Pioli and Belichick would team up again in 1997 with the New York Jets. The Jets hired Pioli as their director of pro personnel, while Belichick was the assistant head coach and defensive coordinator. They would reunite in New England in 2000. Belichick became the head coach of the Patriots, and Pioli was named the assistant director of player personnel. Pioli became the director of player personnel for the Patriots in 2001 when they won their first Super Bowl in franchise history. Heading into 2002, Pioli was promoted to vice president of player personnel and served in that role until 2008.​

The Guy Is Now the Guy Behind the Guy

Scott Pioli was one of football’s most celebrated minds during his time in New England. After his career derailed in Kansas City, he’s gotten back on track in Atlanta — where he’s working for his former employee and preparing to face his former team.

www.theringer.com

Scott Pioli had been married to Bill Parcells’s daughter, Dallas, for less than seven months when he sought permission from his father-in-law, who was also his boss, to go ride with the enemy. It was 2000, and thanks to some beef with coach-turned-GM Parcells, Bill Belichick had just jumped ship from the New York Jets, where he’d been the head coach for one day, to the New England Patriots, where he would become the man for eternity. Belichick offered Pioli, who’d served as the Jets director of pro personnel, a plum player-personnel job in New England. Parcells allowed it, and Pioli not only won three Super Bowls with the Patriots — he became one of the sport’s most sought-after minds.​

In Sporting News polls voted on by league executives, Pioli won back-to-back NFL Executive of the Year honors for the 2003 and 2004 seasons. By the end of the aughts, he was a popular fixture on various “best of the decade” lists. (The rationale for his selection as ESPN’s “Personnel Man of the Decade” was: “Everyone you talk to across the league mentions Scott Pioli first.”) It was the culmination of a lifetime of football geekdom: In high school, in Washingtonville, New York, Pioli would hang a bedsheet on his wall and project opponent game film onto it. As a student at Central Connecticut State, he frequently drove to Giants practice, where he was introduced to Belichick, with whom he hit it off. And after stints with the Browns, Ravens, and Jets, he went to New England, where he was instrumental in drafting and advocating for Tom Brady and in finding unsung players at good values who could assimilate into The Patriot Way.​

VP of Personnel Scott Pioli named NFL Executive of the Year -- Patriots.com, March 23, 2004


Scott Pioli named NFL Executive of the Year, again -- Patriots.com, March 23, 2005


Sports Business Journal -- Scott Pioli

Pioli's NFL career spans over 27 years, including five trips to the Super Bowl, three Super Bowl championships, four AFC championships, six AFC East titles, and an NFC Championship.​

Leaders in Communications: Former NFL Executive Scott Pioli G’05 -- Syracuse University

Pats' Pioli No. 1

If you search long enough in the shadow of New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick, you will find Scott Pioli, his face illuminated by the light of game tape. The Patriots' vice president of player…

www.capecodtimes.com

The Patriots' vice president of player personnel isn't the best known executive in the NFL, but according to a vote of his peers, he was the best in 2003. Pioli received 29 of 60 votes. Finishing second with 12 votes was Panthers general manager Marty Hurney, whose team lost to Pioli's in the Super Bowl. Pioli, who turns 39 today, is the youngest man to win the award, which has been given 34 times.​

Pioli leaves Pats to take Chiefs' job

New England Patriots vice president of player personnel Scott Pioli has reportedly agreed to become the head of football operations for the Kansas City Chiefs today. According to ESPN.com, two NFL …

www.patriotledger.com

The 43-year-old Pioli is the second member of Coach Bill Belichick's confidantes to leave in as many days. On Monday, offensive coordinator and quarterback coach Josh McDaniel was announced as the new head coach of the Denver Broncos.​

Pioli was with the Patriots for nine years, during which time he helped build the Patriots into three-time Super Bowl champions with his personnel moves. ESPN also reported that Patriots' director of player personnel Nick Caserio would be named as Pioli's successor in New England.​

Scott Pioli takes Chiefs job

The Queen anthem that once described the Patriots was “We Are the Champions.” Now they might have to consider “Another One Bites the Dust.” The hits keep coming, and yesterday the Pats absorbed their greatest off-field blow yet when…

www.bostonherald.com

The Queen anthem that once described the Patriots was “We Are the Champions.”​

Now they might have to consider “Another One Bites the Dust.”​

The hits keep coming, and yesterday the Pats absorbed their greatest off-field blow yet when vice president of player personnel Scott Pioli agreed to a multiyear contract to become general manager of the Kansas City Chiefs.​

Pioli the latest leaving Patriots

Scott Pioli, who helped build and lead a dynasty in New England, is now in charge of a Kansas City franchise which hasn't won a playoff game in 14 years.

www.southcoasttoday.com

Pioli, who became vice president of player personnel for the Patriots in 2002 and spent nine years working with head coach Bill Belichick, also interviewed for the general manager vacancy this month in Cleveland.​

Falcons Ex Scott Pioli Recalls Super Bowl Meltdown vs. Patriots: 'I Was A Mess!'

Seven years later, the Atlanta Falcons blowing a 28-3 lead in Super Bowl LI remains as a scar on the franchise.

www.si.com

This Former Patriots Exec Reportedly 'Open To Returning' To Team

One of the architects of the Patriots' first three Super Bowl-winning teams reportedly is interested in rejoining the franchise.

nesn.com

NFL.com talent -- Scott Pioli

MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference Speaker | Scott Pioli

Meet Scott Pioli, Former Super Bowl-Winning NFL Executive

www.sloansportsconference.com

Pioli’s professional contributions have earned him widespread recognition. He has been awarded the prestigious NFL Executive of the Year title five times and has been honored as the NFL's Executive of the Decade by ESPN, Sports Illustrated, and Sporting News. Notably, Pioli still holds the distinction of being the youngest recipient of the George Young NFL Executive of the Year Award, as recognized by his peers.​

2001 Patriots Media Guide -- page 35


2007 Patriots Media Guide -- page 12

Scott Pioli Football Executive Record | Pro-Football-Reference.com

Get Team Results and more for Scott Pioli on Pro-Football-Reference.com

www.pro-football-reference.com

Scott Pioli - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Bam Childress​

Happy 43rd birthday to Bam Childress
Born March 31, 1982; from Bedford, Ohio
Patriot wide receiver, 2005-2007; uniform #13
Signed as an undrafted rookie free agent from Ohio State on July 24, 2005
Pats résumé: two seasons, three games; five catches for 39 yards with two first downs; long gain of 21 yards


As a basketball player in high school about 15 miles southeast of Cleveland, Brandon 'Bam' Childress averaged 18 points per game and his team won the state championship. His football team was pretty good too, making it to the state semifinals. Childress set school career records for scoring (202 points), touchdowns (33), receiving yards (2,258), touchdown receptions (21), punt returns for a touchdown (seven) and all-purpose yardage (7,103). Childress was named the state of Ohio’s ‘Mr. Football’ in 1999. He began his college football career at Ohio State as a cornerback, then reverted to his role at wide receiver.

The Patriots signed the 5-foot-10-inch, 185-pound Childress as an undrafted rookie in July of 2005. The Pats worked Childress out at both corner and receiver and he spent nearly the full season on the practice squad; Childress was activated for the final 2005 regular season game. In the game most well known for Doug Flutie’s drop kick, Childress saw his first NFL action. He caught three out of four passes thrown his way for 32 yards, with a long of 21. Childress also had five tackles (two solo).

Childress was part of final training camp cuts in 2006. He spent most of the season on the practice squad, activated for the season opener and a week 15 game. He spent all of 2007 on New England’s practice squad and then signed with Philadelphia. The Eagles cut Childress just prior to the start of the 2008 season. He signed on with the CFL’s Saskatchewan Roughriders but was once again a final training camp cut. Childress is now back in Ohio, employed as a State Farm insurance agent.



Patriots Sign WR Bam Childress -- Patriots.com, July 24, 2005

Bam to practice squad

WR Bam Childress cleared waivers and has been signed to the practice squad.

www.boston.com

Bam Childress - State Farm Insurance Agent in CHAGRIN FALLS, OH

Contact CHAGRIN FALLS State Farm Agent Bam Childress at (440) 232-4127 for life, home, car insurance and more. Get a free quote now

www.statefarm.com

Bam Childress Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College | Pro-Football-Reference.com

Checkout the latest stats for Bam Childress. Get info about his position, age, height, weight, college, draft, and more on Pro-football-reference.com.

www.pro-football-reference.com

 

[Actual Pats Fan]

Today in Patriots History
Pats Unveil Flying Elvis​

March 31, 1993:
After hiring Bill Parcells, James Orthwein wanted to futher distance the team from the Victor Kiam-Rod Rust-**** MacPherson era by introducing a brand new uniform design for the New England Patriots. The club was now on its fifth head coach in four seasons, compiling a record of 14-50 during that time frame.

Andre Tippett and Pat Harlow multitasking as models on March 31, 1993

​

The Evolution of the Patriots Logo and Uniform -- Patriots.com (April 1, 2016)

The Patriots have had three logos and three major uniform schemes since their debut in 1960.​

A new owner in 1992 and a new head coach and quarterback in 1993 seemed like the perfect time to change up the team's uniforms for the first time ever. Owner James Orthwein and his marketing team reportedly gave NFL Properties only a few months to develop the new logo and uniform color scheme.​

Harkening back somewhat to the 1979 design that was booed out of the stadium, the designers quickly developed what we now refer to as the "Flying Elvis" just in time for the 1993 season. Orthwein also noted that the colonists' opponents wore red during the Revolution, so it made sense to change out the primary jersey to blue. The new uniforms, royal blue with red numbers outlined in white and silver pants and helmets, were also introduced. Silver, it was noted, was the hot color for sports uniforms at the time.​

While Flying Elvis has remained the team's logo since 1993, the uniforms would undergo significant changes. After the 1993 season, the seemingly hard-to-read red numbers on the royal blue jerseys were changed to white numbers outlined in red. The blue jerseys also had white numbers outlined in red on the shoulders and the new logo on the sleeves.​

A year after Robert Kraft bought the team in 1994, the uniforms underwent a slight overhaul for 1995. The colors remained the same, but the names and numbers were italicized while the body of the jersey was given a pinstripe pattern. The new jerseys also switched the position of the number and the logo on the arms, moving the number to the sleeves while the logo moved to the shoulders.​

Note the pant stripes that mirror the Elvis head from blue to red; only lasted one season​

There had been rumors and speculation about a uniform chage for a while; this column is from the Globe on January 29, 1993.

Happy birthday, Flying Elvis: A run through Patriots logo history

COMMENTARY Earlier this week, RamsNewLook.com went live, confirming a leaked logo broken by a fan whose buddy saw some embargoed gear at his sporting goods store. The Los Angeles Rams followed through on their promise to rebrand alongside their scheduled move into $5 billion SoFi Stadium this...

www.boston.com

James Orthwein is best remembered for trying and failing to relocate the Patriots to his native St. Louis, but he made two changes with lasting impact: Hiring Bill Parcells, and installing the logo today immortalized in countless tattoos and, most notably, on six Super Bowl banners. An advertising executive and longtime board member at Anheuser Busch, Orthwein didn’t much worry about making waves as he took over the NFL’s worst franchise, which he promised from the start he planned to quickly flip after he stabilized the business.​

After going 2-14 in 1992, New England’s fourth straight losing season and sixth straight missing the playoffs, January 1993 brought a flurry of activity. Coach **** MacPherson was fired, news leaked that Orthwein was seeking bids to sell the team for the $110 million he’d put into it, and Parcells left his job at NBC to turn the Patriots into an on-field winner. Though unknown at the time, his introductory presser was largely the last gasp of Pat Patriot.​

A week later, the first story broke that “the team had started talks with NFL Properties about changing its logo.” Not even two months later, it was done, approved by the NFL in the second week of March and leaked by the Globe to the world on March 26.​

“I am extremely pleased,” Orthwein said. “Merchandising is no longer just a local situation. Many professional sports teams today are marketing themselves to the nation and the world. It is no accident that teams such as the Chicago Bulls, the San Jose Sharks, and the Orlando Magic are attracting fan interest and selling merchandise across the country because of their appealing logos and color schemes.”​

The Elvis comments came quickly, as did references to the Old Man of the Mountain and Darth Vader. When the team unveiled its uniforms and the script Patriots wordmark the following week, with trendy silver helmets and primarily blue jerseys, Orthwein noted that “we wanted to be historically accurate. The British Army wore red, not the Patriots.”​

Alternate logo, 1993-1999​

Reminiscing on anniversary of day the Patriots introduced their new logo

On March 31, 1993, the Patriots were among the NFL's worst teams on the field and in merchandise sales. A new logo helped signal their turnaround.

www.espn.com

Then-owner James Orthwein was quoted in the Boston Globe saying, "This is evolution, not revolution. The Minuteman is still the central focus. I like to think of memories as the rearview mirror we monitor as we drive into the future."​

Linebacker Andre Tippett was present at the news conference to model the road jersey, while offensive tackle Pat Harlow did the same with the home jersey. First-year head coach Bill Parcells was also on hand, but predictably had little to say about the changes.​

"I don't have any expertise in fashion design," he told reporters. "I think all uniforms look nice when you've got good players playing in them."​

​

The changes, which weren't well received by a faction of fans who preferred the traditional "Pat Patriot" logo, serve as a reminder of how far the Patriots have come from a merchandise and revenue standpoint.​

In a Globe story from the March 31, 1993, news conference, reporter Peter May wrote, "The Patriots, who are in the sixth largest TV market and the AFC's top sole market team (the Jets share theirs), still ranked 26th among the 28 teams in merchandising sales, ahead of only Tampa Bay and Phoenix. So the NFL Properties people didn't object to waiving the one-year rule regarding uniform changes."​

This was also a time in which Parcells' arrival brought new hope to the franchise, which was a doormat coming off seasons with records of 1-15, 6-10 and 2-14. Parcells' arrival, and then the selection of quarterback Drew Bledsoe with the No. 1 overall pick in the draft, began the process of sparking a dramatic turnaround.​

Eleven months later, Robert Kraft purchased the team from Orthwein -- ensuring the franchise would be staying in New England -- and the two shook hands in front of a backdrop that featured the new logo. A silver Patriots helmet rested on the table in front of them.​

First came the new look, then a new beginning in leadership.​

Merchandise sales have never seemed to lag since.​

]Patriots Unveil New Uniforms -- Sports Logo News

Fortunately this never came to fruition:

Merchandise sales, whatever they actually are as opposed to what they may seem, would have been astronomically higher with the established, classic logo which also remains rated at or near the top of all time.

 

[Actual Pats Fan]

Today in Patriots History
Pats Unveil Flying Elvis​

March 31, 1993:
After hiring Bill Parcells, James Orthwein wanted to futher distance the team from the Victor Kiam-Rod Rust-**** MacPherson era by introducing a brand new uniform design for the New England Patriots. The club was now on its fifth head coach in four seasons, compiling a record of 14-50 during that time frame.

Andre Tippett and Pat Harlow multitasking as models on March 31, 1993

​

The Evolution of the Patriots Logo and Uniform -- Patriots.com (April 1, 2016)

The Patriots have had three logos and three major uniform schemes since their debut in 1960.​

A new owner in 1992 and a new head coach and quarterback in 1993 seemed like the perfect time to change up the team's uniforms for the first time ever. Owner James Orthwein and his marketing team reportedly gave NFL Properties only a few months to develop the new logo and uniform color scheme.​

Harkening back somewhat to the 1979 design that was booed out of the stadium, the designers quickly developed what we now refer to as the "Flying Elvis" just in time for the 1993 season. Orthwein also noted that the colonists' opponents wore red during the Revolution, so it made sense to change out the primary jersey to blue. The new uniforms, royal blue with red numbers outlined in white and silver pants and helmets, were also introduced. Silver, it was noted, was the hot color for sports uniforms at the time.​

While Flying Elvis has remained the team's logo since 1993, the uniforms would undergo significant changes. After the 1993 season, the seemingly hard-to-read red numbers on the royal blue jerseys were changed to white numbers outlined in red. The blue jerseys also had white numbers outlined in red on the shoulders and the new logo on the sleeves.​

A year after Robert Kraft bought the team in 1994, the uniforms underwent a slight overhaul for 1995. The colors remained the same, but the names and numbers were italicized while the body of the jersey was given a pinstripe pattern. The new jerseys also switched the position of the number and the logo on the arms, moving the number to the sleeves while the logo moved to the shoulders.​

Note the pant stripes that mirror the Elvis head from blue to red; only lasted one season​

There had been rumors and speculation about a uniform chage for a while; this column is from the Globe on January 29, 1993.

Happy birthday, Flying Elvis: A run through Patriots logo history

COMMENTARY Earlier this week, RamsNewLook.com went live, confirming a leaked logo broken by a fan whose buddy saw some embargoed gear at his sporting goods store. The Los Angeles Rams followed through on their promise to rebrand alongside their scheduled move into $5 billion SoFi Stadium this...

www.boston.com

James Orthwein is best remembered for trying and failing to relocate the Patriots to his native St. Louis, but he made two changes with lasting impact: Hiring Bill Parcells, and installing the logo today immortalized in countless tattoos and, most notably, on six Super Bowl banners. An advertising executive and longtime board member at Anheuser Busch, Orthwein didn’t much worry about making waves as he took over the NFL’s worst franchise, which he promised from the start he planned to quickly flip after he stabilized the business.​

After going 2-14 in 1992, New England’s fourth straight losing season and sixth straight missing the playoffs, January 1993 brought a flurry of activity. Coach **** MacPherson was fired, news leaked that Orthwein was seeking bids to sell the team for the $110 million he’d put into it, and Parcells left his job at NBC to turn the Patriots into an on-field winner. Though unknown at the time, his introductory presser was largely the last gasp of Pat Patriot.​

A week later, the first story broke that “the team had started talks with NFL Properties about changing its logo.” Not even two months later, it was done, approved by the NFL in the second week of March and leaked by the Globe to the world on March 26.​

“I am extremely pleased,” Orthwein said. “Merchandising is no longer just a local situation. Many professional sports teams today are marketing themselves to the nation and the world. It is no accident that teams such as the Chicago Bulls, the San Jose Sharks, and the Orlando Magic are attracting fan interest and selling merchandise across the country because of their appealing logos and color schemes.”​

The Elvis comments came quickly, as did references to the Old Man of the Mountain and Darth Vader. When the team unveiled its uniforms and the script Patriots wordmark the following week, with trendy silver helmets and primarily blue jerseys, Orthwein noted that “we wanted to be historically accurate. The British Army wore red, not the Patriots.”​

Alternate logo, 1993-1999​

Reminiscing on anniversary of day the Patriots introduced their new logo

On March 31, 1993, the Patriots were among the NFL's worst teams on the field and in merchandise sales. A new logo helped signal their turnaround.

www.espn.com

Then-owner James Orthwein was quoted in the Boston Globe saying, "This is evolution, not revolution. The Minuteman is still the central focus. I like to think of memories as the rearview mirror we monitor as we drive into the future."​

Linebacker Andre Tippett was present at the news conference to model the road jersey, while offensive tackle Pat Harlow did the same with the home jersey. First-year head coach Bill Parcells was also on hand, but predictably had little to say about the changes.​

"I don't have any expertise in fashion design," he told reporters. "I think all uniforms look nice when you've got good players playing in them."​

​

The changes, which weren't well received by a faction of fans who preferred the traditional "Pat Patriot" logo, serve as a reminder of how far the Patriots have come from a merchandise and revenue standpoint.​

In a Globe story from the March 31, 1993, news conference, reporter Peter May wrote, "The Patriots, who are in the sixth largest TV market and the AFC's top sole market team (the Jets share theirs), still ranked 26th among the 28 teams in merchandising sales, ahead of only Tampa Bay and Phoenix. So the NFL Properties people didn't object to waiving the one-year rule regarding uniform changes."​

This was also a time in which Parcells' arrival brought new hope to the franchise, which was a doormat coming off seasons with records of 1-15, 6-10 and 2-14. Parcells' arrival, and then the selection of quarterback Drew Bledsoe with the No. 1 overall pick in the draft, began the process of sparking a dramatic turnaround.​

Eleven months later, Robert Kraft purchased the team from Orthwein -- ensuring the franchise would be staying in New England -- and the two shook hands in front of a backdrop that featured the new logo. A silver Patriots helmet rested on the table in front of them.​

First came the new look, then a new beginning in leadership.​

Merchandise sales have never seemed to lag since.​

]Patriots Unveil New Uniforms -- Sports Logo News

Fortunately this never came to fruition:

Sadly, their have been several heart wrenching tragic days in New England Patriots history, however this day in 1993 remains and will always be the absolute worst, by far. Any replacement would have been wrong, insulting and damaged the team's credibility, but beyond that the flying elvis is disgusting. Of all the times in my life including a very challenging, sick childhood, I never felt as nauseated - or nauseating - as this thing looks.

 

[Drunken Cicerone]

Give me Kool Aid Man Red and Silver pants

 

[jmt57]

Not sure about the mental acumen of the marketing genius who dreamed this up:

Edit:
Here's the story of "SuperPatriot" above

Lukas: Former Pats mascot tells story of regret

A former Patriots mascot tells his story of regret from 1978.

www.espn.com

Mark Occhipinti can still see it clearly in his mind's eye.

He'd spent the 1978 NFL season working for his beloved New England Patriots as SuperPatriot -- a superhero-ish live mascot who celebrated touchdowns by doing backflips and somersaults on the sideline. It was a fun gig, but he had something bigger planned for the Pats-Oilers game on Nov. 19: He was going to climb aboard a cherry red Harley-Davidson just before kickoff, scoop up a blonde cheerleader and ride onto the field while the TV cameras rolled and the crowd roared. Everything had been rehearsed, everything was set to go.

"You would still be seeing it today," says Occhipinti, his voice tinged with a thick Baahhhston accent and an even thicker veneer of regret. "I would've made that guy at the Snowplow Game look like nothing. They'd still be talking about it. They'd be showing it on NFL Films."

Unfortunately, SuperPatriot's powers were no match for a Boston traffic jam. Occhipinti arrived late at Foxboro Stadium and was then intercepted by nervous team officials who said they hadn't been fully briefed on the motorcycle maneuver. His grand scheme was scuttled, and the team brass, unnerved by Occhipinti's plans for what they viewed as a potentially unsafe stunt, decided it was time to retire SuperPatriot forever.




As the Patriots were preparing for the 1978 season, Pats marketing director Micéal Chamberlain was certain the team was on the cusp of a big year. And he wanted to promote it in a big way.

"The first Superman movie had just come out, so I wanted to create a character that would capture that excitement," says Chamberlain, who left the team in the 1980s and now works in real estate. "Superman, a super season, the Super Bowl -- SuperPatriot!"

That was the concept behind a cartoon character that NFL Properties created for Chamberlain. SuperPatriot, who looked like a cross between Superman, the Lone Ranger and Captain America, was promptly emblazoned onto ticket order forms, pocket schedules, the team's media guide, and just about any other flat surface. Promotional materials even started referring to the team as the SuperPatriots.

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Dorin ****erson​

Happy 37th birthday to Dorin ****erson
Born March 31, 1988; in Oakdale, Pennsylvania
Patriot wide receiver/tight end, 2011 practice squad; uniform #80
Signed to the practice squad on December 6, 2011
Pats résumé: one season on the practice squad


****erson was a 2010 7th round draft pick out of Pitt by the Texans. The Patriots added him to the practice squad after a 2011 week 13 victory over the Colts; he had also briefly been on Pittsburgh's practice squad earlier that year.

Seven weeks later he was placed on injured reserve. After his contract expired in the offseason, ****erson signed with Buffalo after the draft. His pro football career was over after he was placed on injured reserve by Tennessee with an Achilles injury in the 2015 offseason. ****erson ended up playing in 24 NFL games, with nine receptions for 117 yards.

https://media.gettyimages.com/id/79068624/photo/pittsburgh-linebacker-dorin-****erson-of-the-university-of-pittsburgh-panthers-looks-on-from.jpg?s=612x612&w=0&k=20&c=o3pPZflW93kUarAxQZ_2Xt3fP95NH7ePfliuHrOe4Xk=​

Patriots sign WR Dorin ****erson to practice squad -- Patriots.com, Dec 6, 2011

WR Dorin ****erson placed on Practice Squad/Injured Reserve -- Patriots.com, Jan 25, 2012

https://www.visitpittsburgh.com/blog/dorin-****erson-the-journey/

https://pittnews.com/article/185906...orin-****erson-shines-in-sports-media-career/

https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/D/****Do00.htm

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Other March 31 Trivia​

March 31, 1989:
Pats sign free agent TE Eric Sievers




March 31, 1990:
Pats sign two free agents, OL Chris Gambol and RB Jamie Morris




March 31, 1997:
Pats sign OT Zefross Moss




March 31, 1997:
Pats sign OT Zefross Moss




March 31, 1998:
Pats sign DT Chad Eaton and RB Marrio Grier




March 31, 1998:
Pats sign NT Keith Traylor




March 31, 1998:
Pats re-sign OL Ryan Wendell to a two-year contract through 2015

 

[Actual Pats Fan]

Today in Patriots History
Pats Unveil Flying Elvis​

March 31, 1993:
After hiring Bill Parcells, James Orthwein wanted to futher distance the team from the Victor Kiam-Rod Rust-**** MacPherson era by introducing a brand new uniform design for the New England Patriots. The club was now on its fifth head coach in four seasons, compiling a record of 14-50 during that time frame.

Andre Tippett and Pat Harlow multitasking as models on March 31, 1993

​

The Evolution of the Patriots Logo and Uniform -- Patriots.com (April 1, 2016)

The Patriots have had three logos and three major uniform schemes since their debut in 1960.​

A new owner in 1992 and a new head coach and quarterback in 1993 seemed like the perfect time to change up the team's uniforms for the first time ever. Owner James Orthwein and his marketing team reportedly gave NFL Properties only a few months to develop the new logo and uniform color scheme.​

Harkening back somewhat to the 1979 design that was booed out of the stadium, the designers quickly developed what we now refer to as the "Flying Elvis" just in time for the 1993 season. Orthwein also noted that the colonists' opponents wore red during the Revolution, so it made sense to change out the primary jersey to blue. The new uniforms, royal blue with red numbers outlined in white and silver pants and helmets, were also introduced. Silver, it was noted, was the hot color for sports uniforms at the time.​

While Flying Elvis has remained the team's logo since 1993, the uniforms would undergo significant changes. After the 1993 season, the seemingly hard-to-read red numbers on the royal blue jerseys were changed to white numbers outlined in red. The blue jerseys also had white numbers outlined in red on the shoulders and the new logo on the sleeves.​

A year after Robert Kraft bought the team in 1994, the uniforms underwent a slight overhaul for 1995. The colors remained the same, but the names and numbers were italicized while the body of the jersey was given a pinstripe pattern. The new jerseys also switched the position of the number and the logo on the arms, moving the number to the sleeves while the logo moved to the shoulders.​

Note the pant stripes that mirror the Elvis head from blue to red; only lasted one season​

There had been rumors and speculation about a uniform chage for a while; this column is from the Globe on January 29, 1993.

Happy birthday, Flying Elvis: A run through Patriots logo history

COMMENTARY Earlier this week, RamsNewLook.com went live, confirming a leaked logo broken by a fan whose buddy saw some embargoed gear at his sporting goods store. The Los Angeles Rams followed through on their promise to rebrand alongside their scheduled move into $5 billion SoFi Stadium this...

www.boston.com

James Orthwein is best remembered for trying and failing to relocate the Patriots to his native St. Louis, but he made two changes with lasting impact: Hiring Bill Parcells, and installing the logo today immortalized in countless tattoos and, most notably, on six Super Bowl banners. An advertising executive and longtime board member at Anheuser Busch, Orthwein didn’t much worry about making waves as he took over the NFL’s worst franchise, which he promised from the start he planned to quickly flip after he stabilized the business.​

After going 2-14 in 1992, New England’s fourth straight losing season and sixth straight missing the playoffs, January 1993 brought a flurry of activity. Coach **** MacPherson was fired, news leaked that Orthwein was seeking bids to sell the team for the $110 million he’d put into it, and Parcells left his job at NBC to turn the Patriots into an on-field winner. Though unknown at the time, his introductory presser was largely the last gasp of Pat Patriot.​

A week later, the first story broke that “the team had started talks with NFL Properties about changing its logo.” Not even two months later, it was done, approved by the NFL in the second week of March and leaked by the Globe to the world on March 26.​

“I am extremely pleased,” Orthwein said. “Merchandising is no longer just a local situation. Many professional sports teams today are marketing themselves to the nation and the world. It is no accident that teams such as the Chicago Bulls, the San Jose Sharks, and the Orlando Magic are attracting fan interest and selling merchandise across the country because of their appealing logos and color schemes.”​

The Elvis comments came quickly, as did references to the Old Man of the Mountain and Darth Vader. When the team unveiled its uniforms and the script Patriots wordmark the following week, with trendy silver helmets and primarily blue jerseys, Orthwein noted that “we wanted to be historically accurate. The British Army wore red, not the Patriots.”​

Alternate logo, 1993-1999​

Reminiscing on anniversary of day the Patriots introduced their new logo

On March 31, 1993, the Patriots were among the NFL's worst teams on the field and in merchandise sales. A new logo helped signal their turnaround.

www.espn.com

Then-owner James Orthwein was quoted in the Boston Globe saying, "This is evolution, not revolution. The Minuteman is still the central focus. I like to think of memories as the rearview mirror we monitor as we drive into the future."​

Linebacker Andre Tippett was present at the news conference to model the road jersey, while offensive tackle Pat Harlow did the same with the home jersey. First-year head coach Bill Parcells was also on hand, but predictably had little to say about the changes.​

"I don't have any expertise in fashion design," he told reporters. "I think all uniforms look nice when you've got good players playing in them."​

​

The changes, which weren't well received by a faction of fans who preferred the traditional "Pat Patriot" logo, serve as a reminder of how far the Patriots have come from a merchandise and revenue standpoint.​

In a Globe story from the March 31, 1993, news conference, reporter Peter May wrote, "The Patriots, who are in the sixth largest TV market and the AFC's top sole market team (the Jets share theirs), still ranked 26th among the 28 teams in merchandising sales, ahead of only Tampa Bay and Phoenix. So the NFL Properties people didn't object to waiving the one-year rule regarding uniform changes."​

This was also a time in which Parcells' arrival brought new hope to the franchise, which was a doormat coming off seasons with records of 1-15, 6-10 and 2-14. Parcells' arrival, and then the selection of quarterback Drew Bledsoe with the No. 1 overall pick in the draft, began the process of sparking a dramatic turnaround.​

Eleven months later, Robert Kraft purchased the team from Orthwein -- ensuring the franchise would be staying in New England -- and the two shook hands in front of a backdrop that featured the new logo. A silver Patriots helmet rested on the table in front of them.​

First came the new look, then a new beginning in leadership.​

Merchandise sales have never seemed to lag since.​

]Patriots Unveil New Uniforms -- Sports Logo News

Fortunately this never came to fruition:

This historical fact is not fun

 

[Actual Pats Fan]

Merchandise sales, whatever they actually are as opposed to what they may seem, would have been astronomically higher with the established, classic logo which also remains rated at or near the top of all time.

Obviously to anyone with a brain, merchandise sales were bound to be poor with the team stinking for years because they let Flutie go to Canada.

 

[raduray]

I was at a game when they paraded the current Pat Patriot and proposed Flying Elvis logos at halftime. The crowd cheered Pat Patriot and booed Flying Elvis. Wasn't even close.

 

[Actual Pats Fan]

I was at a game when they paraded the current Pat Patriot and proposed Flying Elvis logos at halftime. The crowd cheered Pat Patriot and booed Flying Elvis. Wasn't even close.

Sullivan chose to listen. Orthwein probably didn't know or care.

Merchandise sales are low? OMG What a shock!! They've only been at the bottom of the standings the last three years...

Yet he had no problem making Hugh Millen the Patriots' first $million quarterback in their history.