Today In Patriots History Oct 8, 2000: The Michael Bishop Hail Mary Game

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
October 8, 2000: Belichick has a QB controversy
Michael Bishop throws the ball 60 yards for Hail Mary TD
Highlight of Tony Simmons' career​

Sunday October 8, 2000 at 1:00
Week 6, Game 6 at Foxboro Stadium
New England Patriots 24, Indianapolis Colts 16
Head Coaches: Bill Belichick, Jim Mora
QBs: Drew Bledsoe, Michael Bishop; Peyton Manning
Odds: Indianapolis favored by 3½
TV: CBS; Kevin Harlan, Daryl Johnston; Beasley Reece
Partly cloudy, 55º, humidity 43%, 15-20 mph wind
Paid attendance 60,292, actual attendance 60,001; time 2:58
Patriots improve to 2-4, Colts drop to 3-2


Nobody remembers the outcome of this game. But fans in New England did lose their collective minds, calling for Drew Bledsoe to be replaced by Michael Bishop as the starting quarterback of the Patriots.

​

A bit of trivia: this was the first home victory for Bill Belichick as the New England Patriots head coach. The previous week he had his first win as the Pats HC at Denver - which for years had been a house of horrors for the Patriots - 28-19. Troy Brown had five receptions for 108 yards and two touchdowns that day, and Drew Bledsoe threw four touchdown passes.



More trivia for you: on this day in 2000, three different Patriots completed passes.

Bledsoe and Bishop are the easy answers.

The third?

Punter/place kick holder Lee Johnson, who threw an 18-yard completion to Eric Bjornson (more trivia) to set up a TD pass to Terry Glenn, putting the Patriots up by 11 midway through the fourth quarter.

QB Bishop and WR Simmons - Play of the Week


Bishop's Hail Mary tied the score at 10 at halftime. It seemed to invigorate the Patriots, who had gone FG-Punt-Punt-Punt on their four previous possessions. On their first drive of the second half the Patriots scored on an 11-play, 77-yard 4:45 drive to take a 17-13 lead.


Ty Law intercepted Peyton Manning (have we heard this before?) on the Colts' next possession, leading up to Lee Johnson's fake field goal attempt pass. After the touchdown pass to Terry Glenn made the score 24-13, the Colts were in panic mode.


Indy's next possessions consisted of:
- 3-and-out;
- 3-and-Manning pass intercepted by Tebucky Jones;
- 5-and-Manning pass intercepted by Antwan Harris;
- Time consuming drive resulting in a stupid and meaningless field goal with 34 sconds remaining.

Belichick says trick plays can work, but only if the situation is right.

Pats rolled dice, won FOXBORO - Bill Belichick isn't seen as a gambling, risk-taking kind of football coach. But the straight-laced Patriots' coach took some chances on several occasions Sunday…

www.capecodtimes.com

Pats rolled dice, won​

Bill Belichick isn't seen as a gambling, risk-taking kind of football coach.​

But the straight-laced Patriots' coach took some chances on several occasions Sunday to help his team earn an important victory over the Indianapolis Colts.​

Belichick called for a fake field goal, a flea-flicker and a Hail Mary pass at the end of the first half in the Patriots' 24-16 victory.​

Two of the three trick plays worked to perfection: the fake field goal pass by punter Lee Johnson resulted in an 18-yard pickup by tight end Eric Bjornson and set up the Patriots' final touchdown. The 44-yard Hail Mary heave by backup quarterback Michael Bishop to Tony Simmons brought the Patriots into a 10-10 tie at the half and gave them important momentum.​

- - - - -​

BJORNSON BELONGS: Until Sunday, tight end Eric Bjornson had felt like an outsider in the Patriots' locker room. Now he knows he belongs.​

"Everybody wants to play, everybody wants to contribute," the 28-year-old San Francisco native said. "From Day One, that's all I've wanted."​

But until Sunday, when he caught a clutch 18-yard pass from punter Lee Johnson on a fake field goal as well as a 4-yard touchdown strike from Drew Bledsoe, Bjornson hadn't done much since joining the Pats.​

"I can't worry about expectations or playing up to somebody else's level," he said, referring to his predecessor, former All-Pro Ben Coates. "I just go out and do the best I can with what I have."​

Coates, and before him Marv Cook, traditionally had some of their biggest performances against the Colts.​

But Bjornson had managed only 14 receptions for 102 yards in his five previous starts for the Pats, so the fact he was open to catch the go-ahead touchdown on the first play of the fourth quarter and, later, Johnson's spiral on the fake field goal can hardly be described as surprising.​

"They were probably focusing on Terry (Glenn) and Troy (Brown) more than me," said Bjornson. "I'm just glad I was able to make a couple of plays."​

Bjornson was the butt of some good-natured teasing by his teammates after his big-time performance.​

"He proved he's pretty sneaky," joked fellow tight end Rod Rutledge, referring to Bjornson's reception of Johnson's pass. "A guy with that kind of stealth ought to be working for the CIA."​

Bjornson responded to the barbs in kind.​

"He (Johnson) hadn't thrown me a good ball on that play until today," he said.​

As for his TD reception on an off-balance throw from Bledsoe, the tight end cracked, "Boy, that thing was out there for a while."​

The Pats displayed good offensive balance in this one, gaining a season-best 124 yards rushing and 204 passing.​

Kevin Faulk had 12 carries for 64 yards while rookie J.R. Redmond, seeing his first serious action, picked up 45 on 14 tries.​

3:33 Highlight Video
Colts vs Patriots 2000 Week 6



2:16:58 Full Game
Colts @ Patriots 2000
​

Ten-page NFL Media Game Summary, with halftime stats, full game team & individual stats, drive charts and play-by-play

Box Score, Team & Individual Stats, Drive Charts and Play-by-Play:

Indianapolis Colts at New England Patriots - October 8th, 2000 | Pro-Football-Reference.com

Indianapolis Colts 16 at New England Patriots 24 on October 8th, 2000 - Full team and player stats and box score

www.pro-football-reference.com

October 8, 2000 - Indianapolis Colts at New England Patriots Box Score and Game Statistics

The most complete, accurate and reliable reference source for October 8, 2000 - Indianapolis Colts at New England Patriots boxscore and game statistics.

www.profootballarchives.com

Patriots Starting Offense:
80 WR Troy Brown
78 LT Bruce Armstrong
63 LG Joe Andruzzi
65 C Damien Woody
76 RG Grant Williams
68 RT Max Lane
86 TE Eric Bjornson
88 WR Terry Glenn
82 WR Chris Calloway
11 QB Drew Bledsoe
33 RB Kevin Faulk

Patriots Starting Defense:
55 LDE Willie McGinest
98 DT Brandon Mitchell
90 NT Chad Eaton
91 RDE Bobby Hamilton
53 SLB Chris Slade
52 LILB Ted Johnson
54 WLB Tedy Bruschi
24 LCB Ty Law
36 SS Lawyer Milloy
25 FS Larry Whigham
45 RCB Otis Smith

Patriots Special Teams:
4 K Adam Vinatieri
10 P Lee Johnson
33 KR Kevin Faulk
81 KR Tony Simmons
80 PR Troy Brown

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
October 8, 1960: Pats KO Chargers, 35-0
Boston defense forces five turnovers
Pats jump out to 25-0 lead, cruise to victory in LA​

Saturday October 8, 1960 at 11:00 pm ET, 8:00 PT
Week 5, Game 4 at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
Boston Patriots 35, Los Angeles Chargers 0
Head Coaches: Lou Saban, Sid Gillman
QBs: Butch Songin; Bob Clatterbuck, Jack Kemp
Odds: Los Angeles favored by 6
TV: Not televised
Scattered clouds, 63º, humidity 79%, 9 mph wind
Attendance: 18,226
Patriots improve to 2-2, Chargers drop to 2-3


In this period of time most teams had their quarterback call their own offensive plays. Head coach Lou Saban had previously been a linebacker for the Cleveland Browns from 1946-49, and adopted a play calling method created by Paul Brown. Rather than have the QB call plays, Saban did so himself from the sidelines via a messenger - in this case with running backs Jim Crawford and Alan Miller alternating plays and relaying the play call to the rest of the offense in the huddle.

For this particular game the plan worked perfectly.


The Patriots received the opening kickoff and marched down the field on a methodical 10-play drive that stalled at the 15 yard line, yielding a 23-yard Gino Cappelletti field goal. The ensuing kickoff was fumbled and recovered by Jack Rudolph on the 25-yard line. Five plays later Ron Burton scored on a four yard rush. The snap on the extra point was bad, but Cappelletti alertly threw to Crawford for a 2-point conversion.

Before fans had a chance to settle into their seats the Patriots were already up 11-0.


The Chargers were able to gain only 17 yards on their next drive before having to punt again. Crawford ran 34 yards to the Charger 19 yard line, and two plays later Butch Songin threw a 19-yard touchdown pass to Jim Colclough.

With the first quarter almost over the Chargers had run a total of six offensive plays - and trailed 18-0.


Los Angeles still could not get anything going offensively, managing just one first down on their next two possessions. On the second play of Boston's next possession Songin completed a 78-yard pass to Billy Wells that gave Boston a first down at the five-yard line. Three plays laster Crawford dove in for a one-yard TD, and with 4:36 left in the half the Patriots were up 25-0.


The Patriot defense kept the pressure up, with a sack for a loss of eight forcing another San Diego punt after just one first down. At halftime the Patriots had gained 247 net yards to only 56 for the Chargers, with an 11-5 advantage in first downs. LA quarterback Bob Clatterbuck had completed six of his eight passes, but for only 42 yards. The Pats defense had completely neutralized LA's running game, holding them to 19 yards on 11 carries - a miniscule 1.27 yards per carry.


Jack Kemp replaced Clatterbuck as the Charger quarterback to start the second half. His first three passes were complete, but the fourth was intercepted by Harry Jacobs. On a 3rd-and-3 Butch Songin's pass for Jim Colclough was incomplete - bacause it hit the goal post, which was at the goal line rather than the back of the end zone at that time. The Patriots went for it on 4th down and **** Christy ran around the right end for a seven yard gain, down to the one. Miller punched it in from one yard out and the game was officially a rout.

The Pats defense forced a three-and-out on the next possession, and on the next drive Gino padded the lead to 35-0 with a 33-yard field goal.


For some reason the AFL had byes in weeks 4, 5, 7 and 11, resulting in this being the Patriots fourth game of the season and Chargers fifth. It was the second time in five games that LA was shut out, but they responded to the loss in a positive manner. The Chargers went 8-1 the rest of the way, including a 45-16 rematch against the Patriots two weeks later. LA's offense became a juggernaut, scoring 183 points in their final four games. The Chargers won the AFL West with a 10-4 record, before falling to Houston 24-16 in the first ever American Football league championship game.

American Football League Media Game Summary with complete stats, notes and full play-by-play.

Box Score, Team & Individual Stats:

Boston Patriots at Los Angeles Chargers - October 8th, 1960 | Pro-Football-Reference.com

Boston Patriots 35 at Los Angeles Chargers 0 on October 8th, 1960 - Full team and player stats and box score

www.pro-football-reference.com

October 8, 1960 - Boston Patriots at Los Angeles Chargers Box Score and Game Statistics

The most complete, accurate and reliable reference source for October 8, 1960 - Boston Patriots at Los Angeles Chargers boxscore and game statistics.

www.profootballarchives.com

Patriots Starting Offense:
81 SE Jim Colclough
75 LT George McGee
63 LG Chuck Leo
56 C Walt Cudzik
65 RG Jack Davis
74 RT Jerry DeLucca
86 TE Oscar Lofton
11 QB Butch Songin
23 HB **** Christy
21 FL Billy Wells
30 FB Jim Crawford

Patriots Starting Defense:
89 LDE Bob Dee
73 LDT Harry Jagielski
70 RDT Hal Smith
64 RDE Tony Sardisco
53 LLB Tommy Addison
54 MLB Bill Brown
80 RLB Jack Rudolph
31 LCB Clyde Washington
33 LS Fred Bruney
25 RS Ross O'Hanley
40 RCB Chuck Shonta

Patriots Special Teams:
20 K Gino Cappelletti
14 P Tom Greene
26 KR Walter Beach
23 PR **** Christy

 

[signbabybrady]

Today in Patriots History
October 8, 2000: Belichick has a QB controversy
Michael Bishop throws the ball 60 yards for Hail Mary TD
Highlight of Tony Simmons' career​

Sunday October 8, 2000 at 1:00
Week 6, Game 6 at Foxboro Stadium
New England Patriots 24, Indianapolis Colts 16
Head Coaches: Bill Belichick, Jim Mora
QBs: Drew Bledsoe, Michael Bishop; Peyton Manning
Odds: Indianapolis favored by 3½
TV: CBS; Kevin Harlan, Daryl Johnston; Beasley Reece
Partly cloudy, 55º, humidity 43%, 15-20 mph wind
Paid attendance 60,292, actual attendance 60,001; time 2:58
Patriots improve to 2-4, Colts drop to 3-2


Nobody remembers the outcome of this game. But fans in New England did lose their collective minds, calling for Drew Bledsoe to be replaced by Michael Bishop as the starting quarterback of the Patriots.

​

A bit of trivia: this was the first home victory for Bill Belichick as the New England Patriots head coach. The previous week he had his first win as the Pats HC at Denver - which for years had been a house of horrors for the Patriots - 28-19. Troy Brown had five receptions for 108 yards and two touchdowns that day, and Drew Bledsoe threw four touchdown passes.



More trivia for you: on this day in 2000, three different Patriots completed passes.

Bledsoe and Bishop are the easy answers.

The third?

Punter/place kick holder Lee Johnson, who threw an 18-yard completion to Eric Bjornson (more trivia) to set up a TD pass to Terry Glenn, putting the Patriots up by 11 midway through the fourth quarter.

QB Bishop and WR Simmons - Play of the Week


Bishop's Hail Mary tied the score at 10 at halftime. It seemed to invigorate the Patriots, who had gone FG-Punt-Punt-Punt on their four previous possessions. On their first drive of the second half the Patriots scored on an 11-play, 77-yard 4:45 drive to take a 17-13 lead.


Ty Law intercepted Peyton Manning (have we heard this before?) on the Colts' next possession, leading up to Lee Johnson's fake field goal attempt pass. After the touchdown pass to Terry Glenn made the score 24-13, the Colts were in panic mode.


Indy's next possessions consisted of:
- 3-and-out;
- 3-and-Manning pass intercepted by Tebucky Jones;
- 5-and-Manning pass intercepted by Antwan Harris;
- Time consuming drive resulting in a stupid and meaningless field goal with 34 sconds remaining.

Belichick says trick plays can work, but only if the situation is right.

Pats rolled dice, won FOXBORO - Bill Belichick isn't seen as a gambling, risk-taking kind of football coach. But the straight-laced Patriots' coach took some chances on several occasions Sunday…

www.capecodtimes.com

Pats rolled dice, won​

Bill Belichick isn't seen as a gambling, risk-taking kind of football coach.​

But the straight-laced Patriots' coach took some chances on several occasions Sunday to help his team earn an important victory over the Indianapolis Colts.​

Belichick called for a fake field goal, a flea-flicker and a Hail Mary pass at the end of the first half in the Patriots' 24-16 victory.​

Two of the three trick plays worked to perfection: the fake field goal pass by punter Lee Johnson resulted in an 18-yard pickup by tight end Eric Bjornson and set up the Patriots' final touchdown. The 44-yard Hail Mary heave by backup quarterback Michael Bishop to Tony Simmons brought the Patriots into a 10-10 tie at the half and gave them important momentum.​

- - - - -​

BJORNSON BELONGS: Until Sunday, tight end Eric Bjornson had felt like an outsider in the Patriots' locker room. Now he knows he belongs.​

"Everybody wants to play, everybody wants to contribute," the 28-year-old San Francisco native said. "From Day One, that's all I've wanted."​

But until Sunday, when he caught a clutch 18-yard pass from punter Lee Johnson on a fake field goal as well as a 4-yard touchdown strike from Drew Bledsoe, Bjornson hadn't done much since joining the Pats.​

"I can't worry about expectations or playing up to somebody else's level," he said, referring to his predecessor, former All-Pro Ben Coates. "I just go out and do the best I can with what I have."​

Coates, and before him Marv Cook, traditionally had some of their biggest performances against the Colts.​

But Bjornson had managed only 14 receptions for 102 yards in his five previous starts for the Pats, so the fact he was open to catch the go-ahead touchdown on the first play of the fourth quarter and, later, Johnson's spiral on the fake field goal can hardly be described as surprising.​

"They were probably focusing on Terry (Glenn) and Troy (Brown) more than me," said Bjornson. "I'm just glad I was able to make a couple of plays."​

Bjornson was the butt of some good-natured teasing by his teammates after his big-time performance.​

"He proved he's pretty sneaky," joked fellow tight end Rod Rutledge, referring to Bjornson's reception of Johnson's pass. "A guy with that kind of stealth ought to be working for the CIA."​

Bjornson responded to the barbs in kind.​

"He (Johnson) hadn't thrown me a good ball on that play until today," he said.​

As for his TD reception on an off-balance throw from Bledsoe, the tight end cracked, "Boy, that thing was out there for a while."​

The Pats displayed good offensive balance in this one, gaining a season-best 124 yards rushing and 204 passing.​

Kevin Faulk had 12 carries for 64 yards while rookie J.R. Redmond, seeing his first serious action, picked up 45 on 14 tries.​

3:33 Highlight Video
Colts vs Patriots 2000 Week 6



2:16:58 Full Game
Colts @ Patriots 2000
​

Ten-page NFL Media Game Summary, with halftime stats, full game team & individual stats, drive charts and play-by-play

Box Score, Team & Individual Stats, Drive Charts and Play-by-Play:

Indianapolis Colts at New England Patriots - October 8th, 2000 | Pro-Football-Reference.com

Indianapolis Colts 16 at New England Patriots 24 on October 8th, 2000 - Full team and player stats and box score

www.pro-football-reference.com

October 8, 2000 - Indianapolis Colts at New England Patriots Box Score and Game Statistics

The most complete, accurate and reliable reference source for October 8, 2000 - Indianapolis Colts at New England Patriots boxscore and game statistics.

www.profootballarchives.com

Patriots Starting Offense:
80 WR Troy Brown
78 LT Bruce Armstrong
63 LG Joe Andruzzi
65 C Damien Woody
76 RG Grant Williams
68 RT Max Lane
86 TE Eric Bjornson
88 WR Terry Glenn
82 WR Chris Calloway
11 QB Drew Bledsoe
33 RB Kevin Faulk

Patriots Starting Defense:
55 LDE Willie McGinest
98 DT Brandon Mitchell
90 NT Chad Eaton
91 RDE Bobby Hamilton
53 SLB Chris Slade
52 LILB Ted Johnson
54 WLB Tedy Bruschi
24 LCB Ty Law
36 SS Lawyer Milloy
25 FS Larry Whigham
45 RCB Otis Smith

Patriots Special Teams:
4 K Adam Vinatieri
10 P Lee Johnson
33 KR Kevin Faulk
81 KR Tony Simmons
80 PR Troy Brown

Wow what a random gem of a day.

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
October 8, 1966: Patriots 20, Bills 10
12½ underdog Pats pull off huge upset in Buffalo
Bills fumble their way to a Patriot win​

Saturday October 8, 1966 at 8:00
Week 6, Game 5 at War Memorial Stadium
Boston Patriots 20, Buffalo Bills 10
Head Coaches: Mike Holovak, Joe Collier
QBs: Babe Parilli, Jack Kemp
Odds: Buffalo favored by 12½
TV: Not Televised; WBZ-AM radio: Bob Starr (play-by-play), Gil Santos (commentary)
Patriots improve to 2-2-1, Bills drop to 3-3


The Patriots jumped out to a 13-0 lead to defeat the heavily favored Buffalo Bills.

Gino Cappelletti caught six passes for 99 yards, and Jim Nance rushed for 88 yards and a TD.

Nick Buoniconti (11 tackles), Houston Antwine (6 tackles)and the rest of the defense stifled the Buffalo offense, limiting the Bills to 52 yards rushing on 24 carries - with 23 of those yards coming on one rush. Bob Dee and Chuck Shonta had key fumble recoveries for the Pats, and Buoniconti had another that would have set up a score, but time expired during the play at the end of the second quarter.


In the first half the Patriot defense simply smothered the Bills offense. Punter Paul Maguire was Buffalo's busiest player.
1) Three-and-out, punt
2) Three-and-a-fumble, Jim Nance with a TD on the next play
3) Three-and-out, punt
4) Three-and-out, punt
5) One first down, field goal attempt wide right
6) One first down, 20-yard sack, punt
7) Three first downs, field goal attempt wide right
8) One play, fumbled, end of half


The pass defense was equally impressive, limiting Jack Kemp to just five completions on 17 attempts in the first half, for 78 yards. 55 of those yards came on one completion, and Buffalo lost 20 yards on sacks - meaning they had a net of 58 yards, less than three yards per dropback. LB Tom Addison had three pass deflections, and CBs Don Webb and Tom Hennessey were superb with their blanket coverage.

1:32 Highlight Video
10/8/1966 Boston Patriots at Buffalo Bills highlights, American Football League Week 6

Box Score, First Half and Full Game Stats, plus full Play-by-Play:
American Football League Game Summary

Boston Patriots at Buffalo Bills - October 8th, 1966 | Pro-Football-Reference.com

Boston Patriots 20 at Buffalo Bills 10 on October 8th, 1966 - Full team and player stats and box score

www.pro-football-reference.com

October 8, 1966 - Boston Patriots at Buffalo Bills Box Score and Game Statistics

The most complete, accurate and reliable reference source for October 8, 1966 - Boston Patriots at Buffalo Bills boxscore and game statistics.

www.profootballarchives.com

 

[jmt57]

Wow what a random gem of a day.

Yeah, true, very random. Just trying to mix things up a little with today's entry.

The fans/media fascination with Michael Bishop at the time was really strange. I think if he had been born 20 years later he would have fit right in with Jalen Hurts/Lamar Jackson style offenses; instead Bishop is just an obscure trivial footnote.


But at least it's better than leading off with the 1995 loss to Denver when asswipe Shannon Sharpe "called for the National Guard", or the 2023 34-0 loss to the Saints when Mac Jones was benched for the second straight week.

I have a few more Oct 8 wins still to go, plus one birthday that @italian pat patriot will appreciate.

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
October 8, 1978: NE beats Vermeil/Jaworski Eagles
Steve Nelson with 9 tackles, 3 fumble recoveries
Pats jump out to 17-0 lead, hang on to win 24-14​

Sunday October 8, 1978 at 1:00
Week 6, Game 6 at Schaefer Stadium
New England Patriots 24, Philadelphia Eagles 14
Head Coaches: Chuck Fairbanks, **** Vermeil
QBs: Steve Grogan, Ron Jawaorski
Odds: New England favored by 7
TV: CBS; Gary Bender, Hank Stram
Cloudy, cool, 49º, humidity 54%, wind 16 mph
Paid attendance 61,297 (sellout), 281 no-shows, 61,016 in stadium; time 3:14
Patriots improve to 4-2, Eagles drop to 3-3


The Patriots had to come from behind to win their previous two games, but not this time. In week 4 the Pats were down 14-0 in the first quarter at Oakland before winning 21-14, and in week 5 San Diego was up 20-7 in the second half when the Patriots came back to win 28-23. This time the Pats led all the way, though fourth quarter turnovers made the final score close.


On the second play from scrimmage Doug Beaudoin hit RB Wilbert Montgomery, forcing a fumble that was recovered by Steve Nelson. Andy Johnson fumbled the ball right back, but the defense was able to force a punt. On Philadelphia's next drive Montgomery fumbled again, and Raymond Clayborn recovered. This time the Patriots were able to take advantage, with Don Calhoun finishing the drive off with a two-yard touchdown run.

Philadelphia's next drive stalled with a 4th-and-7 at the Patriot 44. The Eagles lined up to punt, but the snap went to the up man, who carried it near the first down marker. The chains were brought out and Philly was just short, allowing the Patriots to take over on downs at their 39. On first down Grogan connected with Stanley Morgan again, for a gain of 32 yards. The Pats had to settle for a 42-yard David Posey field goal, but led 10-0 after one quarter.


After another Philly punt the Patriots ground out a vintage 12-play, 87-yard drive that consumed 8:10 off the clock. The key plays were a 19-yard pass to Andy Johnson on a 2nd-and 12, and a 21-yard Horace Ivory sweep behind John Hannah and Leon Gray. On the next play Sam Cunningham hurdled into the end zone for a one-yard touchdown, giving the Patriots a 17-0 lead.

The Eagles finally got on the board with 1:12 left in the half on a 28-yard touchdown from Jaworski to Harold Carmichael.


The Patriots went three-and-out to start the second half. A punt of 29 yards combined with an 11-yard return gave the Eagles a first down on the Pats 40 yard line. (Jerrel Wilson had a horrible game, averaging 30.0 yards gross on his three punts.) But on second down Jaworski fumbled the snap, and Steve Nelson recovered to prevent a Philly score. Two plays later Grogan made a beautiful pass to Stanley Morgan, who caught it at the 12 and ran it in for a 58-yard touchdown.

That made the score 24-7, but miscues by the Pats kept the outcome in doubt. Philadelphia scored on their next possession, then Horace Ivory fumbled in the red zone. The Patriot defense forced anothe punt, and on the ensuing drive the Pats agin drove into the red zone. This time Posey's 36-yard field goal attempt was wide left, and Philly still had life.


The Eagles drove to the Patriot 46 but Jaws was sacked by Richard Bishop. On the next play Jaworski completed a short pass but Nelson's hit on Keith Krepfle forced a fumble, and Nelly recovered, giving the Pats the ball back on their 43 with 6:15 left to play.


The drama wasn't over yet though. Grogan threw an interception on a pass intended for Carlos Pennywell. The defense was stout once again. Facing a 4th-and-10 on their own 12 yard line, **** Vermeil felt compelled to punt even though thre was less than five minutes to play. The Patriots got the ball back and wound the clock down, but incredibly fumbled the ball away yet again. However there was only a 1:38 left at this point and with only one timeout remaining, it was too late for the Eagles.

Although there was only one interception in this game there were eight turnovers - four by each team.


Stanley Morgan's three receptions for 104 yards and a TD were the offensive highlight for the Patriots. Andy Johnson had over 100 yards from scrimmage, with 51 yards on 11 carries and five catches for 58 yards. But the real star of the game was Steve Nelson, who had nine tackles (six solo) and three fumble recoveries.

This was **** Vermeil's third season as Philly's head coach. After going 4-12 in 1976 and 5-11 in 1977, the Eagles would make the playoffs in 1978 with a 9-7 record. A year later they finished 11-5, and in 1980 they made it to the Super Bowl, losing to Oakland, after a 12-4 season.

Quick 1:00 Highlight Video
10/8/1978 Philadelphia Eagles at New England Patriots highlights, National Football League Week 6



19:56 Extended Video
1978-10-08 Philadelphia Eagles vs New England Patriots



2:48:31 Full Game
1978 Eagles @ Patriots
​

NFL Media Game Summary, complete with handwritten notes, stats and full play-by-play

Box Score, Team & Individual Stats:

Philadelphia Eagles at New England Patriots - October 8th, 1978 | Pro-Football-Reference.com

Philadelphia Eagles 14 at New England Patriots 24 on October 8th, 1978 - Full team and player stats and box score

www.pro-football-reference.com

October 8, 1978 - Philadelphia Eagles at New England Patriots Box Score and Game Statistics

The most complete, accurate and reliable reference source for October 8, 1978 - Philadelphia Eagles at New England Patriots boxscore and game statistics.

www.profootballarchives.com

Patriots Starting Offense:
86 WR Stanley Morgan
70 LT Leon Gray
73 LG John Hannah
67 C Bill Lenkaitis
61 RG Sam Adams
74 RT Shelby Jordan
81 TE Russ Francis
29 WR Harold Jackson
14 QB Steve Grogan
32 HB Andy Johnson
39 FB Sam Cunningham

Patriots Starting Defense:
72 LDE Mel Lunsford
71 NT Ray Hamilton
64 RDE Richard Bishop
54 LOLB Steve Zabel
57 LILB Steve Nelson
50 RILB Sam Hunt
56 ROLB Rod Shoate
26 LCB Raymond Clayborn
27 SS Doug Beaudoin
48 FS Tim Fox
40 RCB Mike Haynes

Patriots Special Teams:
9 K David Posey
4 P Jerrel Wilson
26 KR Raymond Clayborn
40 PR Mike Haynes

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
October 8, 1989: Pats break losing streak
Special Team fumble recoveries set up two TDs
Elvis fails to show up to claim Jerry Glanville's tickets​

Sunday October 8, 1989 at 1:00
Week 5, Game 5 at Foxboro Stadium
New England Patriots 23, Houston Oilers 13
Head Coaches: Raymond Berry, Jerry Glanville
QBs: Doug Flutie, Warren Moon
Odds: Houston favored by 5
TV: NBC; Jim Donovan, Jimmy Cefalo
Partly cloudy, 57º, humidity 60%, wind 16 mph
Paid attendance 60,275; 447 no-shows; actual attendance 59,828; time 3:05
Patriots improve to 2-3, Oilers drop to 2-3


The Patriot defense forced four turnovers, resulting in the Pats controlling the ball for more than plus-ten minutes (35:11 to 24:49). Houston helped the cause by committing ten penalties for 102 yards, and the Patriots won despite Houston gaining more yards (307-282).

Oilers head coach Jerry Glanville once again left a pair of tickets at the will call window for Elvis Presley, even though the sane people on Earth I accepted the fact that the King of Rock'n'Roll died on his toilet seat twelve years earlier.

Patriots Defeat Oilers to End Losing Streak

Running back John Stephens sparked New England's offense, and the defense shut down the AFC's highest-scoring team as the Patriots beat the Houston Oilers, 23-13, Sunday.

www.latimes.com

Running back John Stephens sparked New England’s offense, and the defense shut down the AFC’s highest-scoring team as the Patriots beat the Houston Oilers, 23-13, Sunday.​

Stephens, sidelined the last two games with an ankle injury, opened up New England’s running game, making it easier for quarterback Doug Flutie to throw and the Patriots to end their three-game losing streak.​

Stephens gained 59 yards in 21 carries and played key roles in New England’s first three scoring drives. He also ran for an 11-yard touchdown that gave the Patriots a 20-3 lead with 5:58 left in the third quarter.​

“The fact that we were running the ball so well made it a little bit easier on our offensive line” to block on pass plays, said Flutie, who was sacked just once.​

“I didn’t feel there was anything their defense could do that we weren’t prepared for,” said Stephens, the AFC’s second leading rusher as a rookie last year.​

Greg Davis added three field goals as the Patriots, who began the game as the AFC’s lowest-scoring team, matched their point total for their previous three games.​

“There was a sense of urgency,” Flutie said. “We wanted to win badly, and if you want it badly enough, you can do it.”​

Houston Coach Jerry Glanville was frustrated with the Oilers, who lost two fumbles on kick returns that set up touchdowns.​

“You can’t win if you can’t make basic plays,” he said.​

The Oilers, who averaged 38 points in their previous three games, got field goals by Tony Zendejas of 46 yards on the final play of the first half and 22 yards early in the fourth quarter. Warren Moon threw a 20-yard scoring pass to Drew Hill, cutting the lead to 23-13 with 5:11 left.​

Moon was sacked three times and intercepted twice after completing a career high 82.6% of his passes in a 39-7 win over Miami last week. He completed 14 of 29 passes for 227 yards against the Patriots.​

The Patriots (2-3) got a first-half touchdown for the first time in four games. Marvin Allen’s one-yard run with 1:08 left in the first quarter made the score 10-0. It was set up by Stephens’ seven-yard run for a first down at the Houston one-yard line.​

Davis kicked field goals of 30 yards in the first quarter and 34 yards in the third quarter, giving the Patriots a 13-3 lead. He added a 43-yarder with 6:49 left.​

Ten page NFL Media Game Summary, with halftime, team & individual stats, drive charts and play-by-play

Box Score, Team & Individual Stats:

Houston Oilers at New England Patriots - October 8th, 1989 | Pro-Football-Reference.com

Houston Oilers 13 at New England Patriots 23 on October 8th, 1989 - Full team and player stats and box score

www.pro-football-reference.com

October 8, 1989 - Houston Oilers at New England Patriots Box Score and Game Statistics

The most complete, accurate and reliable reference source for October 8, 1989 - Houston Oilers at New England Patriots boxscore and game statistics.

www.profootballarchives.com

Patriots Starting Offense:
86 WR Stanley Morgan
73 LT Danny Villa
62 LG Sean Farrell
68 C Mike Baab
66 RG Paul Fairchild
78 RT Bruce Armstrong
87 TE Lin Dawson
83 WR Cedric Jones
2 QB Doug Flutie
44 HB John Stephens
34 FB Bob Perryman

Patriots Starting Defense:
77 LDE Kenneth Sims
72 NT Tim Goad
96 RDE Brent Williams
52 LOLB Johnny Rembert
95 LILB Ed Reynolds
59 RILB Vincent Brown
50 ROLB Larry McGrew
37 LCB Maurice Hurst
38 SS Roland James
31 FS Fred Marion
26 RCB Ray Clayborn

Patriots Special Teams:
5 K Greg Davis
6 P Jeff Feagles
39 KR Marvin Allen
80 PR Irving Fryar
82 PR Sammy Martin

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
October 8, 2006: Pats 20, Miami 10
Asante Samuels' two picks lead to 14 points
Troy Brown: 5 catches, 58 yards, 1 TD​

Sunday October 8, 2006 at 1:02
Week 5, Game 5 at Gillette Stadium
New England Patriots 20, Miami Dolphins 10
Head Coaches: Bill Belichick, Nick Saban
QBs: Tom Brady, Joey Harrington
Odds: New England favored by 9½
TV: CBS; Greg Gumbel, Dan Dierdorf
Sunny and warm, 65º, humidity 37%, variable 4 mph wind
Paid attendance 68,756; time 3:02
Patriots improve to 4-1, Dolphins drop to 1-4


The Patriots survived the combination of a poor running game and a meh day from Tom Brady, defeating Miami 20-10.

Fortunately Asante Samuel had two interceptions, both of which led to New England touchdowns.

Joey Harrington got the start for Miami due to Daunte Culpepper's shoulder injury.

New England scored on each of their first three possessions, but the next five possessions were all punts (plus a kneel down to end the half.

Ups & downs

A look at who's up and who's down from the Patriots' 20-10 win over the Dolphins.

www.boston.com

Ups​

Troy Brown — One week after playing mostly defense, he returns to receiver and totals five catches for 58 yards and one touchdown. His four non-touchdown catches all result in first downs.​

Run defense — Unit limits the Dolphins to 62 yards on 21 carries (3.0-yard average).​

Rodney Harrison — Safety totals nine tackles and forces a fumble on the second play of the game.​

Asante Samuel — Cornerback’s two interceptions lead to 14 Patriots points.​

Downs​

Kevin Faulk — Fumbles on a punt return, accounting for the Patriots’ lone turnover.​

Ellis Hobbs — Credit the cornerback for playing less than two weeks after having surgery on his broken wrist, although he had a tough time lining up against Wes Welker (9 catches) in the slot, and also had a 15-yard facemask penalty.​

Rushing offense — One week after totaling 236 yards against the Bengals, the Patriots total 79 yards on 34 rushes (2.3 avg.).​

Pats Media Dept Pre-Game Press Release

12 page NFL Media Game Summary, with full stats, drive charts and play-by-play

Box Score, Team & Individual Stats, Drive Charts and Play-by-Play:

Miami Dolphins at New England Patriots - October 8th, 2006 | Pro-Football-Reference.com

Miami Dolphins 10 at New England Patriots 20 on October 8th, 2006 - Full team and player stats and box score

www.pro-football-reference.com

October 8, 2006 - Miami Dolphins at New England Patriots Box Score and Game Statistics

The most complete, accurate and reliable reference source for October 8, 2006 - Miami Dolphins at New England Patriots boxscore and game statistics.

www.profootballarchives.com

Patriots Starting Offense:
85 WR Doug Gabriel
72 LT Matt Light
70 LG Logan Mankins
67 C Dan Koppen
61 RG Stephen Neal
68 RT Ryan O'Callaghan
86 TE Dave Thomas
84 TE Ben Watson
17 WR Chad Jackson
12 QB Tom Brady
28 RB Corey Dillon

Patriots Starting Defense:
94 LDE Ty Warren
75 NT Vince Wilfork
93 RDE Richard Seymour
59 LOLB Rosevelt Colvin
54 LILB Tedy Bruschi
55 RILB Junior Seau
50 ROLB Mike Vrabel
30 LCB Chad Scott
37 SS Rodney Harrison
25 FS Artrell Hawkins
22 RCB Asante Samuel

Patriots Special Teams
3 K Stephen Gostkowski
8 P Josh Miller
39 KR Laurence Maroney
33 PR Kevin Faulk

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Tony Eason​

Happy 66th birthday to Tony Eason
Born October 8, 1959 in Blythe, California; hometown Clarksburg, CA
Patriot quarterback, 1983-1989; uniform #11
Pats first round (15th overall) selection of the 1983 draft, from Illinois
Pats résumé: seven seasons, 72 games (49 starts), plus five playoff games


In 1984 Charles Carroll "Tony" Eason IV threw 23 TD versus eight picks, in his first full season as the Pats starter. He led the league with the lowest interception percentage, but that was due largely in part to holding onto the ball too long: he also led the NFL with 59 sacks. Eason had an awful start to the '85 season, throwing 4 TD versus 11 picks, and was a main reason the Pats stumbled to a 2-3 start. The turning point of a week 5 loss to Cleveland came when Eason and the Pats offense were unable to score after having a first and goal from the four-yard line.


Raymond Berry benched Eason, and the team responded positively to the return of Steve Grogan with six straight wins. Then Grogan suffered a broken leg in a week 12 loss at the Jets, forcing Eason to start once again. He came through in his first start in seven weeks by going 20-28 for 293 yards and three TD in a critical win at Indy - but threw three picks two weeks later in a loss at Miami. The Patriots finished the season with an 11-5 record; one game behind Miami, but good enough to win the tiebreaker as a wildcard.


That postseason the Patriots went on to win three road games, culminating in the famous Squish the Fish game. The Pats won primarily with defense and special teams, never having to rely on the passing game. Eason did what he was asked (5 TD, no picks) while going 29/42 for 367 yards total in those three games.


Of course next up were the Bears and their 46 defense, where Eason infamously went 0-6 before being replaced by Grogan. Eason seemed shell shocked by that game, and was never the same after that. He would start just eight games over the next three seasons for the Pats before being released after refusing to take a pay cut in midseason. He was claimed off waivers by the Jets, spending a year and a half in obscurity holding a clipboard. Eason became a free agent in the spring of 1991, and drew no interest from any NFL teams, thus ending his pro football career at the age of 31.


Tony Eason threw for 10,732 yards and 60 touchdowns over seven seasons in New England, appearing in 72 games with 49 starts. Never the fan favorite that Grogan was, Eason is mostly remembered for three things: that beating by Chicago in Super Bowl 20; being the quarterback drafted immediately after Jim Kelly; and being the QB the Pats chose instead of Dan Marino.

​

Tony Eason | sactosports-hof

www.sacsportshof.com

Tony Eason was a dynamic and gifted quarterback from Delta High School in Clarksburg. He played two years at American River College and then transferred to the University of Illinois. In his debut season, he led the Big Ten in passing efficiency and total offense and set nine conference records; including records for total offense, completions, passing yardage, and passing touchdowns. He was also named the All Big 10 quarterback for the Associated Press.​

As a senior, Tony accumulated a school record 3,671 passing yards and led the Illini to its first appearance in a bowl games since 1964. He also broke five NCAA passing records and tied four more. The NCAA records he set included: most total yards per game in a career, most passing yards per game in a career, most completions per game in a career, and most total yards in first two seasons. Tony still holds eight school records.​

June 8, 2006:

Tony Eason

i seee that majority of fans are 'against' him and i think he knows it as he missed the last year 'parade' 1985 Super Bowl team @ Gillette if i remember correctly but...don't you think he should deserve a little bit more from us, Patriot fans ? personally i respect him and it is a petty...

www.patsfans.com

Sept 15, 2018:

Days Of Future Pats Of The Past: Tony Eason still angry, upset

fox/tvseries/fringe/alternateuniverse/football 14 September, 2018/SACRAMENTO, CA (AP)-Today, the New England Patriots are the National Football League's flagship franchise, with ten Super Bowl titles and recognized as the premier athletic organization in sports...It seems millennia ago, but...

www.patsfans.com

Tony Eason Career Game Log | Pro-Football-Reference.com

Get Tony Eason Career game log for regular season and playoff games on Pro-football-reference.com.

www.pro-football-reference.com

Tony Eason Pro Football Record

The trusted source for pro football information about Tony Eason. Get statistics, transactions. biographical data and more at Pro Football Archives.

www.profootballarchives.com

Tony Eason - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Tony Eason​

March 22, 1989: Patriots sign Tony Eason to a two-year, $2.35 million contract:

Eason agrees to two-year pact with Patriots - UPI Archives

Contract negotiations for New England Patriots quarterback Tony Eason wrapped up Monday night in Palm Desert, Calif., making him the ninth highest paid...

www.upi.com

Contract negotiations for New England Patriots quarterback Tony Eason wrapped up Monday night in Palm Desert, Calif., making him the ninth highest paid player in the NFL, reports said Tuesday.​

Patriots General Manager Patrick Sullivan and Eason's agent, Leigh Steinberg, finalized a two-year contract worth between $2.35 million and $2.4 million, according to published reports. The contract gives the six-year veteran $1.1 million in salary this year and $1.25 million for 1990, according to the Boston Herald.​

Sullivan said Patriots owner Victor Kiam was instrumental in closing the Eason deal.​

'It is always important to have your quarterback signed early. Victor was actively involved in these negotiations. He wants us to be a competitive team and he wants us to be aggressive signing everybody early,' Sullivan said.​

Though Patriots Coach Raymond Berry has tapped Eason as the starter when team training begins in July, Eason's durability is questionable. Eason's various injuries limited him to appearing in only two games last year -- six games total in the past two seasons.​

Eason was paid $962,500 last year.​

That contract turned into a one-way ticket out of town for Eason.

Oct 26, 1989:

PATS WANT EASON TO TAKE PAY CUT

The New England Patriots reportedly have asked Tony Eason, now their fourth-string quarterback, to take a drastic cut in pay. If he doesn't, he could be waived, possibly by the end of this week.

www.deseret.com

The New England Patriots reportedly have asked Tony Eason, now their fourth-string quarterback, to take a drastic cut in pay.​

If he doesn't, he could be waived, possibly by the end of this week.Eason agreed to a two-year, $2.35 million contract with the National Footbal League club last spring. It calls for him to be paid $1.1 million this season.​

Turns out that it more than just a "drastic pay cut"; Victor Kiam didn't want to pay him anything.

Nov 1, 1989:

PATS DON'T WANT TO PAY EASON, SO THEY RELEASE HIM

Tony Eason, who sank from starting quarterback to fourth stringer in just 19 days, was released after resisting the New England Patriots' proposal that he work for free. Owner Victor Kiam contended that he had agreed last spring to pay $1.1 million this season and $1.25 million in 1990 on...

www.deseret.com

Tony Eason, who sank from starting quarterback to fourth stringer in just 19 days, was released after resisting the New England Patriots' proposal that he work for free.​

Quarterback Tony Eason was released by the...

Quarterback Tony Eason was released by the New England Patriots after a salary dispute with owner Victor Kiam.

www.latimes.com

Quarterback Tony Eason was released by the New England Patriots after a salary dispute with owner Victor Kiam.​

Kiam contended that he signed Eason to a $2.35-million, two-year contract because he thought Eason would be the starter.​

After Eason was demoted to fourth-string, Kiam proposed that Eason be paid his weekly salary of $68,750 only if he played half of a game, but otherwise he would get nothing.​

Hey Victor - you are the CEO of a big corporation; do you have no understanding of how contracts work? Why in the world would any employee accept that "offer"? Come on, you didn't even offer a pay cut to his previous salary, or even the league minimum. Hell, you didn't even offer to pay him the federal minimum wage. You want him to come to work every day, and get paid nothing! Seriously?


Miraculously, Eason still got to collect on his contract. He can thank the Jets for that, who picked him up on waivers - to be their backup. Initially he was not going to report because he did not want to compete with his friend, Jet QB Ken O'Brien. Then somebody - his agent, a friend, a family member - talked some sense into him, and made him realize that he either could (a) collect the final $1.5 million (in 1989 dollars) holding a clipboard, or (b) he could stay home and get paid exactly what Kiam wanted to give him - zero.




Nov 2, 1989:

Jets Claim An Unwilling Eason Off Waivers (Published 1989)

www.nytimes.com

JOINING JETS NOT FOR EASON

The Patriots didn’t want Tony Eason and they dumped him. The New York Jets want Eason, but the quarterback doesn’t want any part of a team that is 1-7. New

buffalonews.com

Nov 8, 1989:

Tony Eason, the former New England Patriots quarterback who... - UPI Archives

Tony Eason, the former New England Patriots quarterback who didn't want to be in competition with good friend Ken O'Brien, Wednesday joined the New York Jets...

www.upi.com

Tony Eason, the former New England Patriots quarterback who didn't want to be in competition with good friend Ken O'Brien, Wednesday joined the New York Jets rather than give up the remaining portion of his $1.1 million contract.​

Eason started the year as the Patriots No. 1 quarterback but after eight games was put on waivers and claimed by the Jets. When Eason did not report last week, the Jets threatened him with suspension.​

'I took some time off to consider my options,' said Eason, who went to California, where he watched last Sunday's Jets-Patriots game on television. Asked what options he had, Eason replied, 'It's limited. There were a lack of options. The choices are limited. This is what I do. I don't think I'm doing anybody any good by not playing.'​

Eason, the target of boos from Patriots fans, Wednesday admitted, 'I was really happy to get out of there.​

Nov 9, 1989:

Reluctant Eason Reports to Jets (Published 1989)

www.nytimes.com

''Initially, I was pretty surprised I was claimed by the Jets. They already have a great quarterback,'' he said of his close friend, Ken O'Brien.​

Dec 16, 1989:

Tony Eason Reluctantly Assumes Role as Jets' Starting Quarterback

Tony Eason, the former New England Patriots quarterback who at first refused to sign with the New York Jets six weeks ago because of his close friendship with Ken O'Brien, the Jets' No. 1 quarterback, reacted with reluctance Friday when it became obvious that he would start against the Los Angeles…

www.latimes.com

Tony Eason, the former New England Patriots quarterback who at first refused to sign with the New York Jets six weeks ago because of his close friendship with Ken O’Brien, the Jets’ No. 1 quarterback, reacted with reluctance Friday when it became obvious that he would start against the Los Angeles Rams Sunday.​

“We’re leaning to Eason right now,” a seemingly dispirited Coach Joe Walton said as he walked toward the practice field. “They (O’Brien and backup Pat Ryan) will probably both be ready Sunday, but they haven’t had a lot of work and they’re banged up a little bit.”​

Eason didn’t come right out and say he didn’t want to start, but he wasn’t exactly thrilled by the prospect of his first start as a Jet. He acted like someone who had more to lose than gain. He refused to say it might affect his future, but it appears he doesn’t want to look bad in case the Jets make a coaching change.​

“I have mixed feelings,” Eason said. “Our best chance of winning is if Kenny plays, or Pat. Everybody realizes that it’s just a tough situation. It’s different in this league. It’s not like baseball; you don’t come in and take your at-bats, and that’s it. People just take it for granted, but you got to know your plays, and if you have to think about your offense, it takes away from what you have to do.”​

In other words, Eason feels he should be so familiar with the Jets’ offense and the defense they’re facing, that he doesn’t have to think twice about things that come naturally to seasoned quarterbacks. But it appears he’ll be thrown into the fray.​

Walton uncharacteristically brushed by the media as they waited for him. When told that Eason appeared reluctant to play, he said, “He knows enough of the offense. He hasn’t had a lot of work and a lot of repetitions, but he’s concentrating on a specific game plan.”​

“As for my playing,” Eason said, “my main goal is to get the play called in the huddle. That’s not a good way to start things off.”​

Eason last played against the Rams during the Patriots’ 1985 Super Bowl season. He threw a “Hail Mary” pass that was caught by Irving Fryar for the winning touchdown. “I can still see Stanley Morgan jumping eight feet in the air, at least it seems like that, and tipping that ball to Fryar,” Eason said.​

Meanwhile, Ryan, who left practice Thursday after experiencing headaches related to his sixth concussion in 12 seasons as a Jet, was upgraded to probable. He said he felt fine and could play if needed.​

Notes​

Jets owner Leon Hess and team president Steve Gutman were expected to meet with Patriots director of player development **** Steinberg this weekend regarding the Jets’ general manager position.​

Yikes. I have never seen or heard any athlete, at any level, have such a strong preference to sit on the bench rather than take an opportunity to play.


In 1991 Eason's contract expired. No NFL team offered him a workout or an interview, much less a new contract - and his pro football career was over at the age of 31.

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Tony Eason​

There was a time when Tony Eason held many franchise passing records.

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
October 8, 1967: The Last Pats Tie
Pats have to move home game to San Diego
due to '67 Red Sox Impossible Dream
Jim Nance rushes for 127 yards, 2 TD​

Sunday October 8, 1967 at 7:00 ET, 10:00 PT
Week 6, Game 5 at San Diego Stadium
Boston Patriots 31, San Diego Chargers 31
Head Coaches: Mike Holovak, Sid Gillman
QBs: Babe Parilli, John Hadl
Odds: San Diego favored by 6
TV: Not Televised; WBZ AM 1030 Radio, Bob Starr and Gil Santos
Clear, 85º, humidity 16%, wind 9 mph
Attendance 23,620
Patriots improve to 1-3-1, Chargers drop to 3-0-1


Thanks to the 1967 Boston Red Sox improbably playing in the World Series versus Bob Gibson, Lou Brock, Curt Flood and the St Louis Cardinals, the Boston Patriots were forced to play a home game game in their opponent's stadium.

Somehow the one-win Patriots took a 31-17 lead over the undefeated Chargers into the fourth quarter. San Diego came back with two John Hadl touchdown passes though, and the game ended in a tie.

The Patriots were led by Jim Nance, who bulled his way over Charger defenders en route to 127 yards on 29 carries, and two touchdowns. Babe Parilli threw touchdown passes of 64 yards to Larry Garron, and 8 yards to Art Graham.

Ties were common back when there was no overtime; this was the ninth and final tie in franchise history.

1:19 shaky highlight video
(remember, this game was not televised)
10/8/1967 Boston Patriots at San Diego Chargers highlights, AFL Week 6 (Chargers' version)

16-page AFL Media Game Summary, with interesting quotes from Chargers head coach Sid Gillman on the last page

Box Score, Team & Individual Stats:

Boston Patriots at San Diego Chargers - October 8th, 1967 | Pro-Football-Reference.com

Boston Patriots 31 at San Diego Chargers 31 on October 8th, 1967 - Full team and player stats and box score

www.pro-football-reference.com

October 8, 1967 - Boston Patriots at San Diego Chargers Box Score and Game Statistics

The most complete, accurate and reliable reference source for October 8, 1967 - Boston Patriots at San Diego Chargers boxscore and game statistics.

www.profootballarchives.com

Patriots Starting Offense:
84 SE Art Graham
71 LT Don Oakes
76 LG Charlie Long
56 C Jon Morris
60 RG Len St. Jean
77 RT Tom Neville
82 TE Jim Whalen
15 QB Babe Parilli
20 FL Gino Cappelletti
40 HB Larry Garron
35 FB Jim Nance

Patriots Starting Defense:
89 LDE Bob Dee
79 LDT Jim Lee Hunt
65 RDT Houston Antwine
72 RDE Larry Eisenhauer
53 LLB Tommy Addison
85 MLB Nick Buoniconti
58 RLB Doug Satcher
41 LCB Leroy Mitchell
34 SS Chuck Shonta
42 FS Don Webb
25 RCB John Charles

Patriots Special Teams:
63 K Justin Canale - kickoffs
20 K Gino Cappelletti - FG, PAT
36 P Terry Swanson
21 KR Jay Cunningham
27 KR Joe Bellino
21 PR Jay Cunningham

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
October 8, 1965: Raiders 24, Patriots 10 at Fenway Park​

Friday October 8, 1965 at 8:00
Week 5, Game 5 at Fenway Park
Oakland Raiders 24, Boston Patriots 10
Head Coaches: Mike Holovak, Al Davis
QBs: Babe Parilli, Tom Flores
Odds: Oakland favored by 5
TV: NBC; Not televised
61º, relative humidity 84%, wind 10-20 mph
Attendance 24,824
Patriots drop to 0-5, Raiders improve to 3-2


After making it to the 1963 American Football League championship game, a coming oh-so-close in the first super bowl by going 10-3-1 the following season, the entire 1965 Boston Patriots seemed to be snakebit with injuries or the victim of bad bounces. The Patriots did not win their first game until week eight, though they did end the season with a bit of hope by winning their final three games.

Oakland was coached by Brockton native Al Davis, who was in his third and final season as the Raiders head coach. The following year he became a minority owner, while also retaining his duties as the team's general manager. A year later the Raiders won the AFL championship and played in Super Bowl II.

The Raiders neutralized the Pats offense, limiting Boston to less than three yards per carry (25 carries for 72 yards). Gino Cappelletti had four catches for 72 yards, but that was about it on offense. The Pats did not turn the ball over, but Babe Parilli was able to connect on less than half his pass attempts (13-30-165-0-0) and was sacked three times. The Raiders dominated on both sides of the ball, gaining virtually twice as many yards as the Patriots (418 to 210). The score could have been much worse, as Oakland settled for four field goal attempts - making only one of those four tries.

Box Score, Stats, Team & Individual Stats:
American Football League Game Summary

Oakland Raiders at Boston Patriots - October 8th, 1965 | Pro-Football-Reference.com

Oakland Raiders 24 at Boston Patriots 10 on October 8th, 1965 - Full team and player stats and box score

www.pro-football-reference.com

October 8, 1965 - Oakland Raiders at Boston Patriots Box Score and Game Statistics

The most complete, accurate and reliable reference source for October 8, 1965 - Oakland Raiders at Boston Patriots boxscore and game statistics.

profootballarchives.com

Patriots Starting Lineup:
84 SE Art Graham
71 LT Don Oakes
76 LG Charlie Long
56 C Jon Morris
73 RG Billy Neighbors
50 RT Bob Yates
12 TE Jim Whalen
15 QB Babe Parilli
27 HB Joe Bellino
20 FL Gino Cappelletti
40 FB Larry Garron

Patriots Starting Defense:
89 LDE Bob Dee
60 LDT Len St. Jean
65 RDT Houston Antwine
72 RDE Larry Eisenhauer
53 LLB Tommy Addison
85 MLB Nick Buoniconti
80 RLB Jack Rudolph
30 LCB Tom Hennessey
25 LS Ross O'Hanley
23 RS Ronnie Hall
34 RCB Chuck Shonta

Patriots Special Teams:
63 K Justin Canale - Kickoffs
20 K Gino Cappelletti - FG, PAT
14 P Tom Yewcic
21 KR Jay Cunningham
22 PR Ron Burton

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
October 8, 1972: Bills 38, Pats 14
Plunkett's three interceptions doom Pats
Reggie Rucker with 7 catches for 103 yards​

Sunday October 8, 1972 at 8:00
Week 4, Game 4 at War Memorial Stadium
Buffalo Bills 38, New England Patriots 14
Head Coaches: John Mazur, Lou Saban
QBs: Jim Plunkett, Dennis Shaw
Odds: New England favored by 4
TV: NBC; Ken Coleman, Paul Maguire
Clear, breezy, 48º, humidity 74%, 15-25 mph wind
Attendance 41,749
Patriots drop to 2-2, Bills improve to 2-2


Not a good day for Jim Plunkett, who departed with 9:00 left to miss a Patriot offensive sequence for the first time in his NFL career. Buffalo capitalized on three Plunkett interceptions and were up 38-7 before Brian Dowling scored New England's final touchdown in garbage time.


Buffalo won the coin toss but on the fifth play from scrimmage fumbled, recovered by New England safety Rickie Harris. The Pats drove 45 yards on eight plays, taking an early lead on a Josh Ashton run.


The Pats defense forced a punt on the ensuing Bills drive, but this is when things quickly went south. Bob Gladieux fumbled the punt at the 15, and Buffalo recovered at the two. The defense stood firm though, and the Bills had to settle for a short field goal. The Pats were able to get a couple first downs on the next drive before punting, and Buffalo had the ball at the Pats 47. On 1st-and-10 at the 36, OJ Simpson completed a halfback option to FB Bubby Braxton for 19 yards, and three plays later Braxton ran it in for a 10-7 Buffalo lead.


The Patriots took over at their 20, and Plunkett engineered an excellent drive, highlighted by a 30-yard pass to Rucker that gave the Pats a first down at the Buffalo nine-yard line. But on 3rd-and-goal Plunkett's pass was intercepted at the 3-yard line, and returned 61 yards. On the very next play Buffalo QB Dennis Shaw threw a 36-yard touchdown pass to WR JD Hill. The interception was a 14-point swing, giving the Bills a 17-7 lead rather than a 14-10 Pats lead.


With 10:00 to play in the half the Patriots took over, but went three-and-out. Another poor Pat Studstill punt gave the Bills possession at the Buffalo 45. On 3rd-and-2 from the Patriots 36 Simpson threw another halfback option pass, this one good for 34 yards to WR Bob Chandler. Three plays later Braxton scored on another one-yard run, and the Bills were up 24-7.


The two teams exchanged punts, and the Patriots took possession with 1:40 left in the half at their nine-yard line. With 54 seconds to go from their 41, Plunkett's first down pass was again intercepted by Ken Lee, who returned it to the 11-yard line. For the second time Plunkett made a touchdown-saving tackle on a pick, and for the second time it didn't matter. On the next play OJ ran through the right side and into the end zone for a touchdown.


With that Buffalo had scored four touchdowns in the second quarter, and going into the half with a 31-7 lead this game was all but over. But just in case there was any doubt, Studstill had another bad punt, this time for just 20 yards after a second half opening three-and-out to give Buffalo a first down on their 46. Three plays later Shaw complted a pass to Chandler at the 33, and he eluded Patriot would-be-tacklers all the way to the end zone, to make the score 38-7.




Box Score, Team and Individual Stats:
National Football League Game Summary

New England Patriots at Buffalo Bills - October 8th, 1972 | Pro-Football-Reference.com

New England Patriots 14 at Buffalo Bills 38 on October 8th, 1972 - Full team and player stats and box score

www.pro-football-reference.com

October 8, 1972 - New England Patriots at Buffalo Bills Box Score and Game Statistics

The most complete, accurate and reliable reference source for October 8, 1972 - New England Patriots at Buffalo Bills boxscore and game statistics.

www.profootballarchives.com

Patriots Starting Offense:
18 WR Randy Vataha
74 LT Bob Reynolds
64 LG Mike Montler
56 C Jon Morris
60 RG Len St. Jean
77 RT Tom Neville
86 TE Bob Windsor
33 WR Reggie Rucker
16 QB Jim Plunkett
31 RB Josh Ashton
24 RB Bob Gladieux

Patriots Starting Defense:
85 LDE Julius Adams
76 LDT Dave Rowe
63 RDT Rick Cash
70 RDE Denny Wirgowski
66 LLB Ed Weisacosky
50 MLB Jim Cheyunski
51 RLB Ron Acks
41 LCB Larry Carwell
26 LS Clarence Scott
25 RS Rickie Harris
27 RCB Ron Bolton

Patriots Special Teams:
7 K Charlie Gogolak
2 P Pat Studstill
(4 punts, 29.3 yard gross average, long of 38 )
31 KR Josh Ashton
24 PR Bob Gladieux

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
October 8, 1995:
Broncos 37, Patriots 3
Call the National Guard​

Sunday October 8, 1995 at 8:00
Week 6, Game 5 at Foxboro Stadium
Denver Broncos 37, New England Patriots 3
Head Coaches: Bill Parcells, Mike Shanahan
QBs: Drew Bledsoe, John Elway
Odds: New England favored by 3½
TV: TNT; Verne Lundquist, Pat Haden; Ernie Johnson
Patriots drop to 1-4, Broncos improve to 3-3


The game that asswipe Shannon Sharpe "called for the National Guard" on national television.

**** that arrogant mumble mouth sexual predator.

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Jonathan Cooper released
and other Old October 8 News​

October 8, 1975:
QB Neil Graff is released
WR Mel Baker is signed

Graff would be re-signed on October 28, and Baker would be released on October 20.

Graff played in 25 games with two starts for the Pats in 1974-1975.

Baker played in 21 NFL games; only one was with the Patriots, in which he had a special teams fumble recovery.

October 8, 1990:
Center Gene Chilton is placed on Injured Reserve with a torn patella tendon

Chilton would recover and return to start all 32 games for the Patriots in 1991 and 1992.

October 8, 2014:

Patriots Re-Sign Joe Vellano To Practice Squad, Make Two More Moves

Joe Vellano's time away from the New England Patriots was short-lived, with the Patriots announcing on Wednesday that Vellano has re-signed with the team's practice squad.

www.boston.com

Joe Vellano’s time away from the New England Patriots was short-lived, with the Patriots announcing on Wednesday that Vellano has re-signed with the team’s practice squad.​

The defensive tackle was cut on Monday to help make room for cornerback Brandon Browner and wide receiver Brian Tyms, both of whom had served four-game suspensions for respective violations of the league’s policies on substance abuse and performance-enhancing drugs.​

Vellano is a beneficiary of some recent changes to the rules on players eligible for the practice squad. He would not have been eligible for the practice squad under the old rules, which prohibited a player from joining a practice squad after earning an accrued NFL season. Vellano played in all 16 games last year for the Patriots.​

In 2013, Vellano recorded 59 tackles and two sacks as one of the replacements on the defensive line when Vince Wilfork and Tommy Kelly were lost with season-ending injuries. Vellano’s role in the defense has been reduced this year, and he has logged six tackles and one sack.​

In other practice squad moves, the Patriots re-signed offensive lineman Chris Martin and released offensive lineman Caylin Hauptmann.​

Patriots Sign Caylin Hauptmann To Practice Squad, Cut Chris Martin - NESN.com

FOXBORO, Mass. — The New England Patriots’ game of practice squad musical chairs continued on Monday when they signed a guard and cut an offensive tackle. The Patriots re-signed Caylin Haupmann and released Chris Martin. The Patriots signed Martin and cut Hauptmann last Wednesday. Hauptmann...

nesn.com

The New England Patriots’ game of practice squad musical chairs continued on Monday when they signed a guard and cut an offensive tackle.​

The Patriots re-signed Caylin Haupmann and released Chris Martin. The Patriots signed Martin and cut Hauptmann last Wednesday.​

Hauptmann originally signed to the Patriots’ practice squad on Sept. 16. The Patriots likely re-signed him to boost their practice depth on the interior line with Bryan Stork (concussion), Dan Connolly (concussion) and Cameron Fleming (finger) dealing with injuries that likely will hold them out this week.​

October 8, 2016:
G Jonathan Cooper is released

It's sad to consider that Cooper is the player the Patriots received from Arizona for Chandler Jones.
Fortunately the Pats also acquired a draft pick, which was subsequently traded again, and resulted in Joe Thuney and Malcolm Mitchell.
Cooper never played in a single game for New England.

Patriots waive offseason trade pickup Cooper

The Patriots have released guard Jonathan Cooper, who was acquired through a trade with the Cardinals in the offseason.

www.espn.com

The New England Patriots on Saturday waived guard Jonathan Cooper, who fell from the starting lineup with a foot injury a few days into training camp.​

The No. 7 overall pick in the 2013 draft, Cooper had been acquired as part of the Patriots' March trade with the Arizona Cardinals in which New England swapped defensive end Chandler Jones for Cooper and a second-round draft choice.​

The Patriots made the move, in part, for salary-cap flexibility. They later traded the second-round pick to the New Orleans Saints for third- and fourth-round picks -- using the selections on starting guard Joe Thuney and top-four wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell.​

Cooper had been working with the first unit at right guard through spring practices and into the third day of training camp, when a foot injury sidelined him. He had just been removed from the team's injury report this week.​

His release opened a roster spot for rookie defensive tackle Woodrow Hamilton's promotion from the practice squad. The team is thin on big-bodied defensive tackles. Rookie Vincent Valentine missed the week of practice with a back injury and is out Sunday.​

While the Patriots had hoped Cooper would be their starting right guard, second-year player Shaq Mason has seized the role, with rookie Ted Karras also contributing. The team also has two guards on its practice squad for added depth: Chris Barker and Chase Farris.​

With the Cardinals, Cooper appeared in 24 games over three seasons, making 11 starts. He missed the 2013 season with a broken left fibula.​

New England Patriots release G Jonathan Cooper, promote DL Woodrow Hamilton

The New England Patriots have parted ways with veteran offensive lineman Jonathan Cooper.

www.masslive.com

In a surprise move, the New England Patriots parted ways with guard Jonathan Cooper Sunday, clearing a roster spot for practice squad defensive tackle Woodrow Hamilton.​

Cooper, the No. 7 pick in the 2013 NFL draft, was acquired from Arizona in the Chandler Jones trade. The significant return in the deal was a second-round pick, which the Pats turned into guard Joe Thuney and wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell, and the cap space it freed up. In Cooper, the team took a flier on a high-upside player in the final year of his contract.​

Cooper's time in New England was much like the other three years of his career: He simply could not get on the field.​

He began training camp as a starter, but went down with a foot injury during the team's third practice and missed the remainder of the summer. Still, the Patriots kept Cooper on the initial 53-man roster as he recovered from his injury, previously reported to be plantar fasciitis.​

He was off the injury report this week for the first time in 2016, but the team has elected to proceed forward with Thuney, Shaq Mason, and Ted Karras at guard.​

Cooper's 2016 salary of $2.4 million is fully guaranteed.​

October 8, 2021:
Jahlani Tavai is promoted to the 53-man roster from the practice squad
Sean Davis is signed to the practice squad




October 8, 2022:
WR Tyquan Thornton is reinstated to the roster from Injured Reserve
QB Garrett Gilbert and TE Matt Sokol are named game-day elevation from the practice squad, for the week five game versus Detroit (Bailey Zappe's first NFL start).

Patriots activate rookie WR Tyquan Thornton prior to Lions game

The Patriots activated rookie wide receiver Tyquan Thornton prior to the Lions game. Read more on Boston.com.

www.boston.com

The Patriots will have another weapon at wide receiver when they host the Lions on Sunday at 1 p.m.​

Speedy rookie Tyquan Thornton is joining the team after missing the first four games due to a fractured clavicle.​

Thornton, a second-round pick, ran a 4.28 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine. He impressed and flaunted his potential in both training camp and the preseason before he was injured in a win over the Panthers.​

​

The expectation was that he would miss six-to-eight weeks following surgery Aug. 22. Sunday would mark six-plus weeks, which puts both him and the Patriots in an ideal spot. Jakobi Meyers is also expected to return, meaning the Patriots will have more depth at receiver than they have all season.​

It seems likely that Thornton will take the field with fellow rookie Bailey Zappe. With Brian Hoyer definitely out, and Mac Jones likely out, Zappe is next in line. The Patriots also activated Garrett Gilbert off the practice squad, likely to back up Zappe.​

​

The Patriots, in need of a win after dropping two straight, are three-point favorites against the Lions.​

Spoiler alert: Zappe won in his first NFL start, 29-0, and Zappemania was in full force. Zappe went 17-21 for 188 yards, including a 24-yard TD to Jakobi Myers. Nick Folk kicked four field goals, and the Patriots also scored on a 59-yard fumble return by Kyle Dugger.

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Taylor Price, Amos Zeroue, and other Oct 8 birthdays​

Happy 38th birthday to Taylor Price
Born October 8, 1987 in Hilliard, Ohio
Patriot wide receiver, 2010-2011; uniform #17
Pats third round (90th overall) selection of the 2010 draft, from Ohio University
Pats résumé: two seasons, four games; three receptions

Taylor Price Pro Football Stats, Position, College, Draft, Transactions

The most complete, accurate and reliable reference source for Taylor Price pro football statistics, stats, draft info, awards, biographical data, transactions and more.

www.profootballarchives.com

Happy 49th birthday to Amos Zereoue
Born October 8, 1987 in the Ivory Coast; hometown Bellmore, New York
Patriot running back, 2005; uniform #31
Signed as a veteran free agent on September 28, 2005
Pats résumé: one season, three games; 7 carries for 14 yards

Amos Zereoue Pro Football Stats, Position, College, Draft, Transactions

The most complete, accurate and reliable reference source for Amos Zereoue pro football statistics, stats, draft info, awards, biographical data, transactions and more.

profootballarchives.com

Pats Sign RB Amos Zereoue, Release WR Andre' Davis
Zereoue, 28, was originally drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third round (95th overall) of the 1999 NFL Draft. The 5-foot-8-inch, 205-pound running back has played in 81 games with 17 starts over six seasons with the Steelers (1999-2003) and Oakland Raiders (2004). In his career, Zereoue has rushed 546 times for 2,123 yards (3.9 avg) and 10 touchdowns. He has also caught 136 passes for 1,106 yards and a touchdown. He set career highs with Pittsburgh in 2002, totaling 1,103 yards from scrimmage (193 rushes for 762 yards and four touchdowns; 42 receptions for 341 yards), while starting five of 16 games for the Steelers. In 2003, he played in all 16 games with six starts, recording 433 yards on 132 carries and scoring two touchdowns with 40 receptions for 310 yards. Zereoue signed with the Oakland Raiders on April 29, 2004, and played in 15 games with six starts last season, notching 425 yards on 112 carries and scoring three touchdowns, while catching 39 passes for 284 yards. The former West Virginia University running back became a free agent following the 2004 season.

Pats Sign FB Heath Evans; Release RB Amos Zereoue




In memory of Max Huber
Born October 8, 1945 in Mesa, Arizona
Died December 7, 2018 at the age of 73
Patriot offensive tackle, 1968 offseason
Pats 13th round (332d overall) selection of the 1968 draft, from Brigham Young
Pats résumé: one offseason

Max did not make the roster as a rookie, and then played in the Canadian Football League from 1968 to 1977.

Max Huber (Canadian football) - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Max Henry Huber (October 8, 1945 – December 7, 2018) was a Grey Cup champion offensive lineman who played ten seasons in the Canadian Football League (CFL), winning the Grey Cup Championship with the Montreal Alouettes. A graduate of Brigham Young University, Huber started his career with the Edmonton Eskimos and then went on to 4 seasons with the BC Lions, playing 45 regular season games. After a half season with the Hamilton Tigercats and 6 with the Calgary Stampeders, he finished playing 10 games with the Montreal Alouettes.

In memory of **** Swatland
Born October 8, 1945 in Stamford, CT
Died April 9, 2022 at the age of 76
Patriot guard, 1971 offseason
Signed as a veteran free agent during the 1971 offseason
Pats résumé: one offseason

Richard T. Swatland Obituary April 9, 2022 - Lacerenza - Macari Family Funeral Home

View Richard T. Swatland's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

www.lacerenzafh.com

**** grew up in Stamford, where he graduated from Stamford Catholic with all-state football honors in 1963. **** proudly accepted a scholarship to the University of Notre Dame where he played under Coach Ara Parseghian and was an All-American offensive lineman and member of the storied 1966 National Championship team. **** received the Herring Award for the most improved lineman in 1966. Following graduation in 1967 with a degree in business, he was drafted by the New Orleans Saints and went on to play for the Houston Oilers, where he finished his NFL career. In 1975 **** earned his JD from St. John’s University. His career in real estate began as a real estate developer and then as a broker with Stamford Mortgage. In 2014, **** was inducted into the Stamford Old-Timers Athletic Association Hall of Fame. **** also served on the board of directors for St. John’s Development; was treasurer of the Stamford Golf Authority at Sterling Farms; and was a member and past president of the State Street Debating Society.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/****_Swatland

In 1971, Swatland signed with the New England Patriots, but was placed on the injury waiver list and was released in August.




Other October 8 birthdays with a New England connection:

In memory of Billy Brewer
Born October 8, 1934 in Columbus, Mississippi
Died May 12, 2018 at the age of 83
Boston Patriots 1960 draft pick, from Ole Miss

The strong safety signed instead chose the NFL, playing in 11 games for Washington.



Marc Colombo, 47 (Oct 8, 1978)
Born in Bridgewater; Bridgewater-Raynham High School; Boston College

Offensive Tackle played in 111 games with 95 starts from 2002 to 2011 for the Bears, Cowboys and Dolphins

https://www.enterprisenews.com/story/sports/college/football/2018/09/08/colleges-bridgewater-x2019-s-marc/10807065007/

New York Giants Fire Offensive Line Coach Marc Colombo

Former Boston College offensive lineman was fired after unit struggled

www.si.com

Chris Baker, 38 (Oct 8, 1987)
Born in Windsor CT; Windsor High School

Not to be confused with the tight end by the same name, this Chris Baker was a NT/DT/DE who played in 93 games from 2009 to 2017, mostly for Washington.

https://www.ctinsider.com/gametimect/football/article/windsor-football-nfl-chris-baker-banned-21075657.php

Other NFL October 8 birthdays:

Bill Hewitt, 1909-1947
Hall of Fame end/defensive end was a four-time first team all-pro and two-time second team all-pro for the Bears and Eagles in the 1930s.

William Ernest (Bill) Hewitt - Michigan Sports Hall of Fame

michigansportshof.org

https://www.profootballhof.com/players/bill-hewitt/

https://profootballresearchers.com/archives/Website_Files/Coffin_Corner/27-02-1064.pdf

Ryan Pickett, 46 (Oct 8, 1979)



Donnie Abraham, 52 (Oct 8, 1973)



Brian Thomas, 23 (Oct 8, 2002)



Don Joyce (1929-2012)



Mike Scifres, 45 (Oct 8, 1980)