Today in Patriots History

[jmt57]

A late evening July 3rd entry that is nowhere near as noteworthy as the last few days.


Larry Williams, 54 (July 3, 1963)
Patriot RG, 1992
Uniform #75
The 6-5, 292 lb lineman was a 10th round pick by the Browns in '85 out of Notre Dame, and he was Cleveland's starting left guard from 1986-88. At the age of 29 Williams appeared in 13 games with nine starts for the Pats, on that abysmal 2-14 **** MacPherson team that didn't win until Dante Scarnecchia took over on an interim basis. He retired in 1993 as a member of the Patriots and then after six years as a lawyer the two-time All-American returned to the collegiate scene. In 2011 Williams became the athletic director at Marquette University, and in 2016 he took over the same position at Akron University.


Elmo Wright, 68 (July 3, 1949)
Patriot WR, 1975
Uniform #17
The 16th overall pick of the 1971 draft appeared in four games for the Pats in '75, with the final four receptions of his career for 46 yards. Although he had just 1,116 yards in his NFL career, he left and indelible mark for all future wide receivers in the game of football. While at the University of Houston, Wright became the first player to high step his way to the end zone, and is considered to be the godfather of the end zone dance.


Todd Jones, 50 (July 3, 1967)
Patriot OT, 1963
Uniform #63
I really don't know much of anything about this guy. Searches for Todd Jones are cluttered with a former ATF employee by the same name that went to work for the NFL league offices. Our Todd Jones was an All-American in 1991 at Henderson State, and played in four games for Bill Parcells and the Patriots in 1993 - in a season in which the Pats had two bye weeks.


Claxton Welch, 70 (July 3, 1947)
Patriot RB, 1973
Uniform #43
Welch appeared in a pair of November 1973 games for the Pats, and had six receptions against the Jets in his only NFL start. He had previously been with Dallas and played on special teams in seven post season games with the Cowboys, earning a ring from Super Bowl VI.


Chuck Sieminski, 77 (July 3, 1940)
Pats 14th round (110th overall) pick of the 1962 AFL draft, from Penn State.
The Pats took a flyer on the DT, who was also drafted by the 49ers in the 4th round of the '62 NFL draft. Sieminski chose the Niners, and played six years in the NFL with SF, Atlanta and Detroit.



Others with New England area connections:

- Jack Hagerty (1903-1982); native Bostonian went to Dorchester High School. He was a RB/QB/PR with the Giants from 1926-32, then became head coach at Georgetown, winning 23 straight games. After coaching for 16 years he became the Hoyas' athletic director until retiring in 1969.

- Jordan Reed, 27 (7/3/90); graduate of New London High School in CT. Tight end had 11 TD in 2011, and has 248 receptions over four NFL seasons.

- Cameron Brate, 26 (7/3/91); Harvard grad had 57 receptions and 8 touchdowns at tight end in 2016 for Tampa Bay.

- Ray MacMurray (1889-1996); guard from Dartmouth class of 1917 played for the 1921 Muncie Flyers.



A few notable July 3 pro football players:

- Jethro Pugh (1944-2015); fearsome Dallas Cowboy DT from 1965 to 1978 played in 23 playoff games.

- Neil O'Donnell, 51 (7/3/66); despite throwing three picks in Pittsburgh's super bowl loss, the Jets immediately signed the QB to a mega-contract a month later in 1996 - and went 0-6 in his first season with Gang Green.

- Manny Fernandez, 71 (7/3/46); DT went to three super bowl games with the Dolphins.

- Grant Wistrom, 41 (7/3/76); Rams DE may have been on the losing end in Super Bowl 36, but he did get three rings with the Nebraska Cornhuskers, and one with St. Louis in SB 34.

- Paul Naumoff, 72 (7/3/45); linebacker once played in 142 consecutive games for the Lions and missed only two games in 12 years with Detroit.

- Manny Lawson, 33 (7/3/84); OLB had 24.5 sacks with the 49ers, Bengals and Bills.

 

[Tony2046]

Re- Troy Brown.

A great highlight video of TB. The guy was just magical.

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
The First Training Camp​

July 4, 1960
The Patriots open their first ever training camp at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.

350 players were in attendance that summer.

New England Patriots History | New England Historical Society

New England Patriots History, or Why There Are Still Giants Fans in New England - New England Historical Society

The first training camp was held at UMass-Amherst. Fullback Larry Garron remembered,

...the turnover in that camp was like a nightmare. You would wake up in the morning and there was a different guy sleeping in the bed next to you than there had been when you went to bed the night before.​

There were so many men in training camp Saban couldn’t tell them personally when he cut them. Gino Cappelletti remembered the players would run like hell after practice to the dorm to see if they'd been cut. “A lot of guys who were cut stuck around a few days, eating three square meals and sleeping there."​

Patriots' road to success started in ... Amherst (a long time ago) | MassLive.com

Cappelletti, now 83, still remembers that first UMass camp and the players' arrivals.

"One by one, we all find a dorm room with a bed, he told the Boston Globe in 2016. "But it's late. No sheets, no pillows, just a mattress.''

Cappelletti remembers the early days at UMass fondly, though. Practices were two-a-days (which are banned today), there were film sessions and all three meals each day were held in the mess hall, he told the Globe.

The spartan existence bonded the team. Rookies got the once-over from the veterans. Not unlike military boot camp, the shared experience with sparse amenities created unity among the men.

Players came from all over North America. Some weren't even players but truck drivers, mechanics and others who might have played high school ball but took a chance to be discovered amid the chaos.

There were fans - not the rooting kind but the big, clunky devices with blades that cooled the air. That was UMass' method of summer air conditioning in 1960, the last summer of the Eisenhower Administration and one year before Alan Shepard became the first American in space.

Cappelletti said those inexperienced adventurers didn't make the cut, but they made an impact. He remembered two wrestlers getting involved in a chair-throwing fight over which channel on the sole black-and-white TV would be watched.

Those days seem so long ago - because they are. The 1960 camp occurred 17 years before Tom Brady was born, and by the time the team left the UMass training site for good in 1975, it would be nearly another 27 years before their first Super Bowl title.

Still, there was a charm to those simpler days that Cappelletti appreciates as a nostalgic contrast to today's world of expensive digs, saturation media coverage and million-dollar salaries.

"If the rookies showed up in a car, we'd hide it in the woods or wheel it down to one of the local lakes,'' he told the Globe. "Asked if the cars were wheeled into the lakes, the Patriots legend said "no, but close. Very close."​

Fourth of July Patriot Birthdays:​

Michael Hoomanawanui, 29 (July 4, 1988)
Patriot TE, 2012-2015
Uniform #47
Hoo-man was signed as an unrestricted free agent on April 15, 2013 after two seasons with St. Louis. He appeared in 45 regular season games with 28 starts for the Pats, plus seven playoff games. Hoomanawanui is most well known for his efforts in the division round playoff game against Baltimore following the 2014 season. The Illinois alum lined up in what would normally be the left tackle position, but because he was the outside player on the line of scrimmage, he was an eligible receiver. John Harbaugh went ballistic and failed to respond with either a timeout or proper coaching, to what was a perfectly legal play.

Unfortunately when Tom Brady responded to a question about Harbaugh's whining about "illegal" and "deceptive" plays, his response that the Ravens 'should study the rule book' sent Harbaugh over the top - and set the wheels in motion in an attempt to exact revenge by framing the Patriots in what would become known as deflategate. Hoomanawanui was traded to New Orleans on September 30, 2015 for Akiem Hicks. The blocking tight end had 20 receptions for 289 yards and one touchdown with the Patriots. Hommanawanui was on the field for 1,475 regular season snaps with the patriots, and another 341 on special teams.



Bob Lee (July 4, 1935 - March 4, 2017)
Patriot G, 1960
Uniform #60
Robert E Lee was 25 years old when he tried out for the newly founded Pats. Lee played in the first eight games of the 1960 season before being cut on November 9, ending his pro football career.



Bobby Cross, (July 4, 1931 - June 18, 1989)
Patriot OT/DT, 1960
Uniform #77
Cross spent seven season in the NFL and one in the CFL, where he was a Grey Cup champion in 1953. Cross played in four games for the Pats, in what turned out to be his final season of pro football.



Terrance Knighton, 31 (July 4, 1986)
Patriot DT, 2016 off season
Uniform #96
Pot Roast is a New England native, having grown up in Windsor CT. He palyed in 108 games for Jacksonville, Washington and Denver from 2009 to 2015. The Pats signed the free agent to a one-year, $4.5 million contract on March 31, 2016. At the time it was envisioned that the Patriots would have a powerful rotation of Knighton, Malcom Brown and Alan Branch that could keep all three fresh and productive. Knighton struggled a bit in the Pats second preseason game, and after not playing a single down in the third game the writing was on the wall. Considering that Anthony Johnson made the initial roster over Knighton, I can't help but wonder if the size of the contract had something to do with the decision, or if it was all about inability to adapt to a two-gap defense. After not playing at all in 2016, Knighton officially retired this past April.



Will Smith (July 4, 1981 - April 9, 2016)
Patriot DE, 2014 off season
Uniform #90
Smith was an eight-year starter with New Orleans but missed all of 2013 with a torn ACL. He had 67.5 sacks for New Orleans, including 13 in 2009 and 10.5 in his Pro Bowl 2006 season. Roger Goodell suspended Smith for four games in 2012 in the bounty gate fiasco, a penalty which was overturned upon appeal by Paul Tagliabue. The Pats signed Smith in early April of 2014, but he was cut on August 24, unable to unseat Zach Moore or Michael Buchanon for a roster spot. Smith was shot and killed in the aftermath of an argument following a fender bender, at the age of 35.



Others with New England area connections:

- Floyd Little, 75 (July 4, 1942); born and raised in New Haven, the Hall of Fame running back went to five Pro Bowls, scored 52 touchdowns and totaled 8,741 yards from scrimmage.

- Red O'Neill (1898 - 1955); UConn Huskie grad played center for the Hartford Blues in 1926 and later had a prominent career in medicine. The Red O'Neill Award is given annually to a former UConn student-athlete who has gone on to distinguish him/herself in his/her chosen career.

- Lou Daukas (1921 - 2005); Nashua native was co-captain at Cornell, and played center and linebacker for Brooklyn after returning from WWII.



In addition to Floyd Little, some other notable pro football players born on the 4th:

- La'Roi Glover, 43 (7/4/74); DT went to six consecutive Pro Bowls from 2000 to 2005 with the Saints and Cowboys; he is now an assistant defensive line coach for the Jets.

- Erich Barnes, 82 (7/4/35); six-time Pro Bowl corner for the Giants and Browns had 45 career interceptions.

- Rick Casares (7/4/31 - 9/13/13); fullback was named to the Pro Bowl in each of his first five seasons, and led the NFL in rushing in 1956.

- Emerson Boozer, 74 (7/4/43); Jet running back led the AFL in touchdowns in rushing touchdowns in 1967, and the NFL in total touchdowns in 1972.

- Josh McCown, 38 (7/4/79); journeyman QB with a penchant of signing with bad teams (he's now a Jet) has an 18-42 starting record over 14 NFL seasons.

- Todd Marinovich, 48 (7/4/69); former Raider QB is Exhibit A of what happens to the children of over-zealous sports parents.

 

[jmt57]

Three former Patriots were born on July 5:


Brandon Lloyd, 36 (July 5, 1981)
Patriot WR, 2012
Uniform #85
The Pats signed Lloyd five days into free agency in 2012. In 2010 he led the NFL with 1,448 yards receiving, while averaging 18.8 yards per catch. That was considered to be a big splash in free agency, though some wondered why Lloyd had played on so many teams (five) over nine seasons. Lloyd caught 74 passes for 911 yards, both second on the team to only Wes Welker that season. However some fans felt Lloyd went down to the ground too quickly, without any contact after making a catch. The following off season Lloyd was released after the Pats signed free agent wide receivers Danny Amendola and Donald Jones. Lloyd appeared in 142 NFL games from 2003 to 2014, totaling 5,989 yards receiving and 36 touchdown receptions.


David Thomas, 34 (July 5, 1983)
Patriot TE, 2006-2008
Uniform #86
In the 2006 Rose Bowl when Vince Young led Texas to a last minute national championship over USC, Thomas had ten receptions for the Longhorns. Thomas didn't see much playing time with the Pats. He spent nearly all of 2007 on IR with a foot injury, and the other two years he was stuck behind Ben Watson on the depth chart. In September of 2009 Bill Belichick gave up, trading Thomas to New Orleans for a 7th round draft pick. Thomas had 21 receptions for 261 yards and one touchdown in 32 games with the Pats. He now works as a broadcaster for Texas Longhorn football games. He played in 80 NFL games with 102 receptions for 938 yards, and 8 touchdowns.


Joe Sweet, 69 (July 5, 1948)
Patriot WR, 1974
Uniform #81
The 435th pick of the 1971 draft played in four games with the Patriots, with no stats. Sweet played in 34 NFL games with 10 receptions for 173 yards and one touchdown. He then spent 13 years representing NFL and NBA players in contract negotiations. More recently he has worked as a mortgage and real estate finance professional.


Others with New England area connections born July 5:

- Gerry Cowhig (1921-1995); Dorchester native went to Mechanical Arts High School (better known later as Boston Technical HS, and now called the O'Bryant School of Math and Science). The Notre Dame alum was an NFL LB/FB from 1947 to 1951; he was married to Hollywood actress Jean Willes.

- Dwight Anderson, 36 (7/5/81); went to Bloomfield (CT) High School at the same time Dwight Freeny was there. The cornerback spent a couple years with the Rams, and eight seasons in the CFL where he was a two-time all star and won two Grey Cups.



Some notable pro football players born today:

- James Lofton, 61 (7/5/56); Hall of Fame WR has over 14,000 career receiving yards.

- George Kunz, 70 (7/5/47); eight-time Pro Bowl tackle for the Falcons and Colts.

- Billy Howton, 87 (7/5/30); Packer WR twice led the NFL in receiving yards.

- Richie Incognito, 34 (7/5/83); most well known for Miami's bully-gate brouhaha.

- Eggs Manske (1912-2002); end was the last college player to not wear a helmet; also an assistant coach at BU and on the winning side of the Chicago Bears' 73-0 victory over Washington in the 1940 NFL championship game.

 

[Actual Pats Fan]

Mike Haynes, 64 (July 1, 1953)
Patriot CB, 1976-1982
Uniform #40

Mike returned punts in his rookie season in '76, scoring the first punt return touchdowns in team history, without calling a fair catch the entire season.

 

[Actual Pats Fan]

Wonderful haul! And excellently written.

Yes, Troy's achievements are not easily expressed in numbers alone.

Looking at some of the 2001 games this off-season, it's remarkable how far he, Antowain Smith and Marc Edwards held the offense together -- all under Charlie Weis's masterful design. It's incredible how many reverses, screens, jet sweeps and so on they managed to run.

There's one moment that stands out (not sure from which game). Brady throws a bad pass straight to the defensive back, but Troy sees it, tracks back, leaps and twists to get his arm in to cause an incompletion. Incredible play that doesn't really show in the record books -- just another incomplete pass. No wonder they had him playing defense.

It's quite something to see a player play any sport with that kind of "want" -- all the more so when he plays for the team you root for.

'Bye!...

 

[Actual Pats Fan]

- John Elway, 57 (6/28/60); HoF QB passed for 51,475 yards before becoming a successful auto dealership owner and Broncos GM.

55-10.

Wonderful haul! And excellently written.

Yes, Troy's achievements are not easily expressed in numbers alone.

Looking at some of the 2001 games this off-season, it's remarkable how far he, Antowain Smith and Marc Edwards held the offense together -- all under Charlie Weis's masterful design. It's incredible how many reverses, screens, jet sweeps and so on they managed to run.

There's one moment that stands out (not sure from which game). Brady throws a bad pass straight to the defensive back, but Troy sees it, tracks back, leaps and twists to get his arm in to cause an incompletion. Incredible play that doesn't really show in the record books -- just another incomplete pass. No wonder they had him playing defense.

It's quite something to see a player play any sport with that kind of "want" -- all the more so when he plays for the team you root for.

'Bye!...

 

[Actual Pats Fan]

Michael Hoomanawanui, 29 (July 4, 1988)
Patriot TE, 2012-2015
Uniform #47

 

[jmt57]

A late entry for July 6:


Matt Bahr, 61 (July 6, 1956)
Patriot K, 1993-1995
Uniform #3
25 regular season games with Pats, plus one playoff game.
55/72 on field goal attempts; 73/73 on extra points; one punt for 29 yards.
55-yard field goal in '95 set a franchise record (broken by Adam Vinatieri in 2002.
At the age of 37 Bahr reunited with Bill Parcells, to replace Scott 'Missing' Sisson at kicker early in 1993; Bahr was replaced by Vinatieri after the 1996 preseason.
Kicked 300 field goals and scored 1,422 points over 17 NFL seasons.
Scored 103 points in 14 playoff games.
Two-time Super Bowl champion also played professional soccer for three years.
Later worked as an electrical engineer, and then as a player advisor with the Harvard Football Players Health Study.


Erroll Tucker, 53 (July 6, 1964)
Patriot KR/PR/CB, 1989-1990
Uniform #21
Five games with Pats, with zero starts.
Averaged 20.8 yards on 13 kick returns; averaged 7.8 yards on 13 punt returns.
Played in 18 NFL games over two seasons.
Also played for Orlando in the WLAF in 1991, and spent two seasons in the CFL. Won a Grey Cup with the Calgary Stampeders in 1992.


King Corcoran (7/6/43 - 6/19/09)
Patriot QB, 1968
Uniform #15
Two games with Pats, with zero starts.
3/7 for 33 yards, with two interceptions.
The flamboyant self promoter known as 'the poor man's Joe Namath' spent five years in the Atlantic Coast Football League, one in the CFL and two in the Seaboard Football League. Corcoran also led the World football League in touchdown passes in 1974. In 1969 NFL Films produced a documentary on minor league football titled "Pro Football, Pottstown PA". While the focus was on the ACFL team, Corcoran - who dove a Lincoln that was equipped with a bar, copier and mobile phone (nearly two decades before they became mainstream) - was the star of the film.


Fred Dryer, 71 (July 6, 1946)
Patriot DE, 1972 off season
Dryer was a first round pick by the Giants in 1969. After three good seasons he was traded to the Pats in exchange for 1st, 2nd and 6th round draft picks. Problem was that Dryer refused to report to the Pats. The Pats were forced to trade him, getting a first round pick and backup DE Rick Cash in return. Dryer went on to have a 13-year NFL career, playing in 176 games. While playing in Los Angeles, Dryer began picking up small roles in television series and made for TV movies. In 1984 Dryer was cast as the lead role in the detective show Hunter; the series would run air 152 episodes over seven years.


Others with New England area connections born on July 6:

- Chandler Fenner, 27 (7/6/90); Holy Cross, class of 2012. Was in training camp with KC in 2012, on Seattle's practice squad in 2013, appeared in 11 games with the Giants in 2014; he is now in the CFL.

- Dave Mishel (7/6/05 - 3/11/75); grew up in Lynn and went to Brown. Was a back in the early NFL for Providence and Cleveland.

- Alex Joseph, 29 (7/6/88); Stamford CT native bounced between four teams over two NFL seasons. The LB then spent a couple years in the CFL, and now plays in the Indoor Football League.


Other pro football player born July 6 include:

- Joe Jacoby, 58 (7/6/59); LT went to four Pro Bowls and won three SB rings while appearing in 170 regular season and 21 playoff games for Washington.

- Nnamdi Asomugha, 36 (7/6/81); after recording eight interceptions in 2006, opposing quarterbacks rarely threw towards the Raider corner.

- Gary Ballman (7/6/40 - 5/20/04); flanker/kick returner went to the Pro Bowl in '64 and '65, and had 5,366 career receiving yards.

- Hugh 'Bones' Taylor (7/6/23 - 10/31/92); Pro Bowl end led the NFL in touchdown receptions in 1949, and in yards per reception in 1950 (21.4).

- Alvin Harper, 49 (7/6/68); playing opposite Michael Irvin he led the NFL with 24.9 yards per catch in 1994, but was a free agent bust the next year in Tampa.

- Brandon Jacobs, 35 (7/6/82); 256 pound RB scored 64 touchdowns with the Giants from 2005 to 2013.

 

[jmt57]

Only one former Patriot born on July 7.


John 'Bull' Bramlett, 43 (July 7 1941 - Oct 23, 2014)
Patriot OLB, 1969-1970
Uniform #57
Undrafted out of Memphis State, Bramlett was the runner-up to Joe Namath as the rookie of the year in 1965. He was a two-time AFL all-star before being part of one of the most infamous trades in Patriot history. Prior to the 1969 season the Dolphins traded Bramlett and backup QB Kim Hammond to the Pats in exchange for future Hall of Fame LB Nick Buoniconti. Bramlett had a reputation for reckless behavior and disdain for authority, which had already ended his professional baseball career. He played in 24 games with 23 starts in two seasons with the Pats, and was out of football a year later. Two years after he retired his days as a drinker and brawler ended, and he became a minister.


Two others with New England area connections.

- Victor Heflin, 57 (7/7/60); born in Springfield, the safety played in 24 games over two seasons with the St Louis Cardinals.

- Arnie Horween (7/7/98 - 8/5/85); played and coached at Harvard, and the QB also played and coached for the Chicago Cardinals. The Horween Leather Company to this day still supplies the leather used in NFL footballs, as well as manufacturing high end dress shoes.


A few notable pro football players born on July 7:

- Mike McCrary, 47 (7/7/70); 10-year DE went to two Pro Bowls with the Ravens.

- Jerry Sherk, 69 (7/7/48); four-time Pro Bowl DT for the Browns in the seventies.

- Carl Mauck, 70 (7/7/47); 10-year starting center with San Diego and Houston.

- Darnay Scott, 45 (7/7/72); WR had 6,193 receiving yards, mostly with Cincinnati.

- Robert James, 70 (7/7/47); All Pro corner for Buffalo in the seventies.

- Michael Westbrook, 45 (7/7/72); caught Kordell Stewart's Hail Mary (over Ty Law) for Colorado to beat Michigan, and had 26 touchdowns in the NFL.

- Matt Suhey, 59 (7/7/58); fullback for the Bears from 1980-89 had 25 TD and 5,059 yards from scrimmage.

- Chris Redman, 40 (7/7/77); third round pick by the Ravens in 2000 is one of the 'Brady Six' quarterbacks to be drafted prior to TB12.

 

[jmt57]

Hat tip to anybody that remembers either of the Patriots born on July 8.


Mickey Washington, 49 (July 8, 1968)
Patriot CB, 1990-1991
Uniform #21
The speedy 5′ 9″ corner was selected in the 8th round, 199th overall by the Cardinals in 1990 but did not make their roster. After the Patriots released RB Don Overton on October 31, 1990 they signed Washington, and he appeared in nine games that season. In ’91 Washington appeared in all 16 games with four starts; during his two years with the Pats he had two interceptions and 73 tackles. The Texas A&M graduate spent eight years in the NFL, also playing for Washington, Buffalo, Jacksonville and New Orleans, with three years as a starter – one with the Bills (when he started in Super Bowl 28), and two with the Jaguars, from ’94-’96. After his NFL career ended Washington earned his law degree, and founded his own practice in Texas, focusing on labor and employment law. Washington also serves on the executive committee for the National Football League Players Association.


Jeff Kopp, 46 (July 8, 1971)
Patriot LB, 1999
Uniform #91
Kopp was a sixth round draft pick by Miami in 1995, out of USC. He primarily played special teams, appearing in 63 games with three starts over his five year NFL career. After a rash of injuries decimated the Pats linebacking corps to the point that safeties were forced to fill in at LB, Pete Carroll signed Kopp in late October of '99. He appeared in six games with the Patriots, with two tackles. In his post-NFL life Kopp worked as an investment advisor, as a steer wrestler on the professional rodeo circuit, and as a bicycle shop owner. Kopp is now a high school football head coach in Jacksonville.



Others with New England area connections:

- Phil McGeoghan, 38 (7/8/79); born and raised in Agawam, went to Boston University and then Maine after BU stopped playing football. Was with Denver and New Orleans in the NFL, as well as one season with NFL Europe. Has been a position coach for several colleges and NFL teams; is now the WR coach for the Buffalo Bills.

- Charlie Stewart (7/8/90 - 12/18/65); western Mass native was a guard in the early days of the NFL, before figuring out there were better jobs for someone with a degree from Colgate.



Some other pro football players born today:

- Jack Lambert, 65 (7/8/52); Hall of Fame middle linebacker for the Steelers was a six-time All Pro, and won four Super Bowl rings.

- John David Crow (7/8/35 - 6/17/15); RB won the Heisman Trophy in 1957 and played 11 years in the NFL with the Cardinals and 49ers. Named to four Pro Bowls, Crow was a bruising runner who refused to run out of bounds. In 1960 he led the league with 5.9 yards per carry, and 1,533 yards from scrimmage (in a 12-game season).

- Tommy Mason (7/8/39 - 1/22/15); RB was the second overall pick by the Patriots in the 1961 AFL draft, but he signed with the Vikings, who selected him with the first overall pick of the NFL draft. Played 11 years in the NFL and was named to three Pro Bowls; later married Olympic gymnast and Broadway actress Cathy Rigby.

- Ken Lanier, 58 (7/8/59); started 180 games (including 13 playoff games) at right tackle for the Broncos from 1981 to 1994.

- Na'il Diggs, 39 (7/8/78); linebacker played twelve seasons in the NFL, mostly with Green Bay and Carolina.

 

[jmt57]

July 9:


Tom Ramsey, 56 (July 9, 1961)
Patriot QB, 1985-1988
Uniform #12
Pats 10th round (267th overall) pick of the 1983 draft, from UCLA.
Ramsey was the 1983 Rose Bowl MVP, and shared the 1983 Pac-10 Player of the Year award with Stanford's John Elway. He did not sign with the Patriots out of college, instead playing in the USFL for two seasons. Ramsey was forced in to action in '87 when Tony Eason and Steve Grogan were both sidelined with injuries. His touchdown pass to Stanley Morgan put the Pats up with less than two minutes to play against Dallas, but the Cowboys came back to win in overtime on a 60-yard touchdown run by Herschel Walker. The following week Ramsey made his first NFL start, with the Pats shutting out the Colts 24-0. A week later Ramsey threw for 402 yards and three touchdowns, rallying the Patriots from a 31-10 fourth quarter deficit with two TD passes and another on the ground to tie the game - only to see the Pats lose in OT again. Ramsey threw four picks at Denver the following week, and was benched.

The 1988 Patriot team was inept on offense (they finished 24th in scoring, 27th in yards), with far too many turnovers. Raymond Berry had a carousel of ineffective quarterbacks, starting Grogan, Eason, Ramsey and Doug Flutie over the course of the season. Ramsey reportedly had some words to say about Berry and Flutie - allegations he denied - and was promptly waived. He spent one more season in the NFL, as a backup for the Colts. Ramsey played in 21 games with four starts during his time with the Patriots, throwing six touchdown passes and nine interceptions. He later worked as a college football broadcaster.


Bob 'Two Bud' Schmidt, 81 (July 9, 1936)
Patriot RT, 1964
Uniform #74
Schmidt was originally drafted by the Chicago Cardinals in 1958. He was a three-time AFL all-star center with the Houston Oilers, and part of their '61 championship team. On August 25, 1964 the Boston Patriots picked Schmidt up from the Oilers for a "future high draft choice". He started all 14 games for the Patriots, and played in 98 AFL/NFL games over eight seasons. After retirement he worked as a realtor in western New York. Not to be confused with this Bob Schmidt, who played football at USC.


Ellis Johnson, 74 (July 9, 1943)
Patriot RB/WR, 1965-1966
Uniform #38
Pats 4th round (31st overall) pick of the 1965 draft, from SE Louisiana.
Johnson was a 9.7 sprinter and the fastest player on the Patriots' roster. He was tried at halfback as a change of pace from Jim Nance, but couldn't get past Larry Garron or J.D. Garrett for backfield touches. Mike Holovak also tried to exploit Johnson's speed at flanker, but again he could not unseat Gino Cappelletti (or Jim Colclough or Art Graham at split end) for playing time. Johnson played in all 28 games over two seasons with the Pats but accumulated just 29 yards rushing on 19 carries, and four receptions for 29 yards.


Bill Hudson, 82 (July 9, 1935)
Patriot DT, 1963
Uniform #61
Hudson was a third round draft pick by the Chicago Cardinals in 1957, but instead went north to play four years in the CFL. He signed with San Diego in 1961, and was named to the AFL West all star team. Hudson played in four games with the Pats before being 'worn out' and retiring from pro football. After working in the AFL league office, Hudson worked as a building services contractor and then as a banker.


Damon Huard, 44 (July 9, 1973)
Patriot QB, 2001-2003
Uniform #19
Huard was originally signed as an undrafted rookie by Cincinnati in 1996. He spent four years in the Dolphins' organization (including one in Europe) before the Pats signed him early in the 2000 off season. Huard played in only four games with the Pats, with his largest contribution coming as the QB for the scout team, to help prepare patriot defenses for their upcoming opponent. These days he teams up with Dan Marino in the winery business.; he is also Chief Administrative Officer for the University of Washington's football program.



Others with New England area connections:

- Pete Kendall, 44 (7/9/73); Weymouth native went to Archbishop Williams High School and was a standout at Boston College. Seattle selected him with the 21st overall pick of the 1996 draft, and the offensive lineman played 13 seasons in the NFL.

- John Galvin, 52 (7/9/65); Lowell native and BC grad was a linebacker and exceptional special team player with the Jets and Vikings.

- Al Krevis, 65 (7/9/52); BC grad was a second round pick as a tackle by the Bengals in 1975.

- Paul Walker (7/9/25 - 10/20/72); All American at Yale played briefly for the Giants after WWII ended.



Some notable pro football players born today include:

- O.J. Simpson, 70 (7/9/47); Hall of Fame running back slashed his way to 469 yards in two 1973 games against the Pats, en route to becoming the first player to rush for 2000 yards in a single season.

- Clem Daniels, 80 (7/9/37); in 1963 the four time All Star halfback led the league in rushing yards, yards from scrimmage, and also yards per reception with an average of 22.8 yards on 30 catches.

- Trent Green, 47 (7/9/70); his knee injury on a Rodney Harrison hit made **** Vermeil cry, but it opened the door for Kurt Warner's career. Green threw 162 touchdown passes over 11 seasons.

 

[chris_in_sunnyvale]

I remember the 400yd game Ramsey had against Reggie White* and that formidable Eagles D. It was one of those "I can't believe what I'm witnessing" games. Lightning in a bottle.

* 1987 Reggie White: 21 sacks in 12 games as no Eagles crossed the picket lines. Most beastly season I've ever seen by a defensive player.

Regards,
Chris

 

[jmt57]

SeaBass headlines the July 10 birthdays.


Sebastian Vollmer, 32 (July 10, 1984)
Patriot OT, 2009-2016
Uniform #76
Pats 2nd round pick (58th overall) of the 2009 draft, out of Houston.
- 88 regular season games played, with 80 starts.
- 10 playoff games, all as a starter.
- two Super Bowl rings (49, 51)
- 2nd team All Pro, 2010


Akeem Ayers, 28 (July 10, 1989)
Patriot LB, 2014
Uniform #52
The Patriots acquired Ayers and a seventh round draft pick on October 21, 2014, in exchange for just a sixth round draft pick after Jerod Mayo was placed on injured reserve. Ayers played in nine games with four starts; he had four sacks, 22 total tackles, one interception and one pass defensed. He played 382 defensive snaps in those nine games with the Patriots, including a high of 74 in a 43-21 victory over Denver. Ayers also played in all three playoff games, earning a ring for the Super Bowl victory over Seattle with his stop on Marshawn Lynch at the one yard line. Early in 2015 free agency Ayers signed with the Rams; he is now on the Indianapolis roster.

Check out Ayers' self-written story here: Proving Myself | The Players' Tribune


David Andrews, 25 (July 10, 1992)
Patriot C, 2015-2016
Uniform #60
Acquired as an undrafted rookie free agent in 2015, out of Georgia.
Andrews has played in 30 regular season games with 27 starts in his first two seasons with the Patriots. He also played in all five playoff game and got his first Super Bowl ring earlier this year. In 2016 Andrews was on the field for all but four snaps the entire season. The Patriots signed Andrews to a three year contract extension in May.


Mike Saxon, 55 (July 10, 1962)
Patriot P, 1993
Uniform #7
The Patriots signed Saxon after eight seasons with Dallas. He punted 73 times at an average of 42.4 yards for Bill Parcells' 5-11 team. Saxon returned to training camp with the Pats in 1994, but was beat out for the job by rookie 5th round draft pick Pat O'Neill. Saxon played in 172 regular season games and seven playoff games in his 11-year NFL career, averaging 41.7 yards per punt.


Caylin Hauptmann, 26 (July 10, 1991)
Patriot OT, 2014-2015
Uniform #68
The Pats signed Hauptmann to the practice squad in mid-September of 2014, where he remained for all but one week of the rest of the season. The Pats brought him back to training camp in 2015, but he was released as part of the final roster cuts - ten days after being removed from the NFI list. Hauptmann has also been with the Browns, Seahawks and Bucs, but has only one game played on his official NFL stat line. Despite that he owns two Super Bowl rings: one with Seattle in 2013, where he was a healthy scratch for most of the season, and one with the Patriots for Super Bowl 49.


Marcus Harrison, 33 (July 10, 1984)
Patriot DT, 2011
Uniform #94
After Mike Wright was placed on IR in October of 2011, the Patriots signed the former Chicago Bear. He lasted all of one day on the roster, replaced the next day by Sterling Moore. He was re-signed the following March, but was released at the end of training camp. Harrison played in 37 NFL games from 2008-10 for Chicago, with nine starts.


One other local New England area player with a great story:

- Mark Roopenian, 59 (July 10, 1958); grew up in Watertown and then played a different position (TE, C, ILB and DT) in each of his four years at Boston College. As an undrafted rookie in 1982 he improbably impressed the Bills' coaches to land a roster spot - helped out in part by standing toe to toe and holding his own in one-on-one drills against the infamous Conrad Dobler. Roopenian played nose tackle, some defensive end and special teams for Buffalo. Unfortunately on the opening kickoff of the third game of the '83 season he suffered a severe neck injury which ended his pro football career. In his post-football life Roopenian has had a very successful business career, directing the leasing, marketing and asset management of buildings such as the John Hancock Tower and International Place.


From the way-back machine:
- Harry Wynne (1920-1989); end and defensive end played a couple years of pro football. In 1944 he had ten receptions for 205 yards with the Boston Yanks, third most on the club that year.


Some other pro football players born on July 10:
- Roger Craig, 57 (7/10/60); four-time Pro Bowl running back won three rings with the Niners. He led the NFL with 2,036 yards from scrimmage in 1988, and in receptions with 92 in 1985.
- Darryl Talley, 57 (7/10/60); two-time Pro Bowl OLB played in 216 NFL games, mostly with Buffalo. Had 38.5 career sacks and also played in 18 playoff games, but is now another victim of health issues many former players face.
- Antonio Brown, 29 (7/10/88); 195th pick of the 2010 draft has been an All-Pro in each of the last three seasons, and has 6,315 yards receiving over the last four years.
- Brent Alexander, 46 (7/10/71); safety played in 192 NFL games and once had a streak of 133 consecutive starts.
- Toni Fritsch (1945-2005); was a soccer player in Austria before joining the NFL and leading the league in field goal percentage three times with the Houston Oilers.
- Bill Gramatica, 39 (7/10/78); Martin's younger brother is most well known for an over the top celebration gone bad, following a field goal attempt that was good in the first quarter.

 

[jmt57]

Not much for the Pats on July 11, though I have to admit that I had completely forgotten that Ernie Holmes ever played for the Patriots.


Ezell Jones, 70 (July 11, 1947)
Patriot OT, 1969-170
Uniform #74
Played in 18 games over two seasons with the Patriots; is now a Vice President, Business Development and Relationship Manager for an insurance company in Minnesota.


Larry Cowan, 57 (July 11, 1960)
Patriot RB, 1982
Uniform #44
Drafted by Miami in the 7th round in '82, but only played in two games for the Fins. After the strike ended the Pats signed Cowan, who played almost exclusively on special teams. Cowan appeared in a total of seven games for the Patriots, including their 28-13 playoff loss at Miami.


Ernie Holmes (7/11/48 - 1/17/08)
Patriot DT, 1978
Uniform #63
Holmes played for Pittsburgh for six seasons. He was a critical part of the famed Steel Curtain defense, where he earned a pair of Super Bowl rings. Due to weight issues he was traded to Tampa Bay, but was cut at the end of camp. The fearsome (and unstable) Holmes played in three games with the Patriots, ending his NFL career in Foxboro.


Others with New England area connections:

- B.J. Raji, 31 (7/11/86); 9th overall pick of the 2009 draft by Green Bay, by way of Boston College. Took an unexpected hiatus last year just before a contract extension had been worked out to help his father care for his mother and aunt; looks like his NFL career is now over.

- Jeff Kemp, 58 (7/11/59); son of Jack Kemp, the AFL QB and congressman. The younger Kemp is a Dartmouth grad who had an 11-year NFL career and went 9-4 with the Rams in his only season as a starter.

- John Jenkins, 28 (7/11/59); born and raised in Meriden CT, Jenkins spent five years in the NFL as a NT for the Saints and Seahawks.

- Tony Brown (7/11/64 - 6/19/10); Stamford CT native played for Buffalo during the '87 strike, and was later blacklisted for a case he took to the Supreme Court against the NFL.


A few notable pro football players born today:

- Andre Johnson, 36 (7/11/81); WR had seven seasons with over 1100 yards receiving.

- Patrick Peterson, 27 (7/11/90); Arizona CB has been named to the Pro Bowl in each of his six NFL seasons.

- Willie Anderson, 42 (7/11/75); Cincinnati Bengal All-Pro tackle started 184 NFL games from 1996 to 2008.

- Len Hauss, 75 (7/11/42); five-time Pro Bowl center for Washington started 192 consecutive games.

- Cecil Isbell (1915-1985); 7th overall pick of the 1938 draft set NFL single season records for passing yards and touchdown passes in 1941, and then broke both those records the following year.

- Chris Cooley, 35 (7/11/82); Washington TE went to the Pro Bowl in 2007 and 2008.

- Jacoby Jones, 33 (7/11/84); WR returned four punts and five kickoffs for NFL touchdowns - and last year returned another kickoff for a TD, in Arena Football.

- Dale Hellestrae, 55 (7/11/62); long snapper played in 205 games over 15 seasons, winning three super bowl rings with the Cowboys.

 

[jmt57]

July 12 Patriot birthdays include former teammates who both wore 'C Jones' on the back of their uniforms.


Chandler Jones, 27 (July 12, 1990)
Patriot DE, 2012-2015
Uniform #95
Pats 1st round (21st overall) pick of the 2012 draft, from Syracuse.
Played in 55 games with 52 starts over four seasons with the Patriots; also started nine playoff games. While with New England he had 36 sacks, 134 tackles plus 88 assists, 10 forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, nine passes defensed, one interception and a blocked field goal returned for a touchdown. Jones was named to the Pro Bowl in 2015. In Super Bowl 49 he had three tackles, a sack and one tackle for a loss. The Pats traded Jones to the Cardinals in March of 2016 in exchange for Jonathan Cooper and a second round draft pick. That second was then traded for a third (Joe Thuney) and a fourth (Malcolm Mitchell) round pick. Despite the bizarre shirtless incident in front of the Foxboro police station in the midst of a playoff run, Arizona signed Jones to a 5-year, $82.5 million contract with $53 million guaranteed.


Chris Jones, 27 (July 12, 1990)
Patriot DT, 2013-2015
Uniform #94
The Pats picked Jones up off waivers from Tampa Bay in October of 2013. He was involved in a bizarre penalty for pushing a teammate into the line on a field goal attempt, something that had never been called previously in the history of the NFL; with the extra 15 yards Nick Folk made the kick to win the game for the Jets. In an incredible twist of irony, Jones blocked a Folk field goal a year later to secure a victory for the Pats against the Jets. Jones reportedly played with a torn calf in the Super Bowl 49 victory over Seattle, and spent all of 2015 on the PUP list. He played in 28 games with 22 starts with the Patriots, plus four playoff games. During that time he had 46 tackles and 42 assists, nine sacks and a fumble recovery; he is now with the San Francisco 49ers.


Chad Brown, 47 (July 12, 1970)
Patriot LB, 2005 and 2007
Uniform #98
Brown was a 35 year old veteran of 12 NFL seasons when the Patriots signed him in 2005. He played in 15 games with five starts, recording 39 combined tackles; he also played in both playoff games that post-season. The Pats re-signed him in 2007 and he bounced on and off the roster, appearing in two games for what turned out to be his final NFL season. The two-time All Pro had 79 sacks over 188 games in his NFL career.


George Pyne (7/12/41 - 11/26/15)
Patriot DT, 1965
Uniform #75
Pats 16th round (127th overall) pick of the 1965 draft, from Olivet.
The native of Milford MA played in all 14 games for the Pats in '65. As a backup to Jim Lee Hunt and Houston Antwine he didn't get on the field much defensively, and was used primarily on special teams. His father played in the NFL briefly in the early thirties, and his son Jim played for the Bucs and a few other teams from 1994-2001.


Bill Lewis, 54 (July 12, 1963)
Patriot C, 1993
Uniform #75
An All American at Nebraska in 1985, Lewis spent the final season of his seven year NFL career with the Patriots. He played in seven games with five starts, and is somehow credited with having two fumbles for a loss of 43 yards. Since retiring from pro football, Lewis has worked as the manager of alumni relations with the Arizona Cardinals, an assistant high school football coach, and on the Cardinals' football broadcasts.


Peter Shorts, 51 (July 12, 1966)
Patriot DT, 1989
Uniform #90
Shorts appeared in the final game of the 1989 season, in what was Raymond Berry's final game as head coach. That turned out to be the only NFL game on his resume, though he did also spend one year in the World League of American Football and was in the CFL for four years.


Lavelle Hawkins, 31 (July 12, 1986)
Patriot WR, 2013 off season
Uniform #83
The Patriots signed Hawkins as a veteran free agent at the age of 27, on May 9 2013. Hawkins had played in 52 games with four starts for Tennessee for five seasons; his only year of note was in 2011 when he had 47 receptions for 470 yards. After he dropped a few balls in camp and miscommunicated with Tom Brady on routes and adjustments, the Pats released Hawkins just after the start of training camp, on July 31.



One other former NFL player with New England area connections:

- Paul Zukauskas, 38 (July 12, 1979); born in Weymouth, went to BC High and Boston College. Spent four seasons at RG for the Browns, appearing in 43 games with 18 starts. Now the head coach and associate director of admissions at Lawrence Academy.


From the way-back machine:
- Bob McChesney (1912-1986); was an offensive and defensive end with the Boston Redskins, and went to two Pro Bowls after the team moved to Washington.
- Bill Ward (1895-1973); born in Cambridge, was an offensive lineman for the 1921 Buffalo All-Americans.



Some other pro football players born July 12:

- LeSean McCoy, 29 (7/12/88); five-time Pro Bowl RB led the NFL in rushing (1607 yards) and yards from scrimmage (2146) in 2013.

- Frank Ryan, 81 (7/12/36); life is good when you are a QB on a team first with Jim Brown, and then Paul Warfield and Leroy Kelly.

 

[jmt57]

Short list today.


Tim Dwight, 42 (July 13, 1975)
Patriot WR, 2005
Uniform #86
The 5-8 speedster played football and track at Iowa, where he was a Big 10 champion in the 100 meter dash, the 4x100 meter relay, and the 4x400 meter relay. Originally drafted by Atlanta, Dwight returned six punts and kickoffs for touchdowns, including a 94 yard kick return in super bowl 33. After seven seasons with the Falcons and Chargers, the Pats signed Dwight early in free agency in 2005. Dwight led the '05 team with 32 punt returns, averaging 8.5 yards per return; he also averaged 25.0 yards on ten kickoff returns. Dwight was the number four wide receiver on the Patriots that season, catching 19 passes for 332 yards and three touchdowns, and totaled 866 all purpose yards. Dwight played ten years in the NFL, with 22 touchdowns and 9,854 all purpose yards. In his post-NFL career Dwight has worked as a solar energy advocate.


Donald Hayes, 42 (July 13, 1975)
Patriot WR, 2002
Uniform #81
The Patriots were impressed with Hayes' 2000 and 2001 seasons, when he caught 118 passes for 1,523 yards with the Panthers. Carolina wanted to re-sign him, but he opted for the defending super bowl champions over the 1-15 Panthers. The Pats signed the 6-4, 220 lb, 26 year old free agent to a two-year, $2.4 million contract. At the time it was projected that Hayes would start opposite Troy Brown at WR, filling the void due to the departure of Terry Glenn, with David Patten in the slot. Problem was the Hayes became the poster child for what happens to a player that cannot pickup Bill Belichick's offense.

From Management Secrets of the New England Patriots:

New England saw Hayes as a starting receiver, but Hayes had a learning disability, flailed around in early practices and never established himself in Tom Brady's mind as a reliable receiver who would run the right routes (i.e., appropriate to the defensive coverage and run them with decision. Even Hayes admits it took him a long time to pick up the Patriots' system:​

"the coaches were expecting me to perform at this high level-which I was myself, too-and then I found out that the way I knew how to learn things was totally different from how they were teaching it. ... Once I got to a point where I knew the offense and everything, they already had a couple of guys in front of me who were having success. They weren't going to make any changes.​

In his first game with the Pats he got the start and had three receptions for 54 yards and a touchdown, but the QB-WR trust and chemistry just wasn't there. Hayes played in 12 games for the Patriots in 2002, with only that one start. He finished the season with only 12 receptions for 133 yards and two touchdowns, and is still considered to be one of the biggest free agent busts in New England Patriots history. He was released the following February, but never played in another regular season NFL game again.





One other player with New England roots:

Anthony Fabiano, 24 (7/13/93); Wakefield native and Harvard grad missed out on a chance to play in the Senior Bowl and participate in the Combine due to a torn toe tendon and fractured foot. Use of an 'Accelerated Recovery Process' (ARP) Wave machine cut his rehab time dramatically, and he was able to participate in the Crimson's Pro Day. Fabiano's first NFL action came in week 5 of 2016, for the Cleveland Browns against his favorite team, the Patriots. He played in five games last year with one start, and will be competing for an interior lineman position in the Browns' upcoming training camp.



Some other pro football players born today include:

- Jack Kemp (1935-2009); AFL all star QB went on to serve nine terms in Congress.

- Danny Abramowicz, 72 (7/13/45); All-Pro WR led the NFL in receptions in 1969, and was the first legitimate star in New Orleans Saints franchise history.

- Michael Koenen, 35 (7/13/82); will probably be the last player in NFL history to handle punts, kickoffs and long field goals simultaneously for a team.

 

[jmt57]

July 14; Happy Birthday to:


Darrelle Revis, 32 (July 14, 1985)
Patriot CB, 2014
Uniform #24
The Patriots signed Revis on March 12, 2014, less than 24 hours after he had been released by Tampa Bay - and coincidentally, a day after Aqib Talib left to sign with Denver. The contract was technically for two years, but in reality it was a one-year, $12 million deal; the second year was just to spread the cap numbers over two seasons. He lived up to the name Revis Island, blanketing opposing receivers all year long. Revis was named an All Pro for the fourth time in his career in 2014. Love him or hate him, he was a vital component to the Patriots fourth Lombardi Trophy.


Pete Brock, 63 (July 14, 1954)
Patriot C, 1976-1987
Uniform #58
Pats 1st round (12th overall) pick in the 1976 draft, from Colorado
Brock played in 154 games with 88 starts with the Pats, and also appeared in eight playoff games. At the time the 154 games played ranked sixth most in franchise history. Among the honors Brock received were the 1979 Unsung Hero Award; 1984 Jim Lee Hunt Award; 1985 Ed Block Memorial Courage Award (NFL); 1986 Miller Lite NFL Lineman of the Year; and center for the Patriots All-Decade Team for the 1990s. Resilient player who persevered through multiple injuries and surgeries.


Todd Rucci, 47 (July 14, 1970)
Patriot RG, 1993-1999
Uniform #71
Pats 2nd round (51st overall) pick of the 1993 draft, from Penn State.
Rucci played in 85 games with 75 starts for Bill Parcells and Pete Carroll, and was named to the Patriots all decade team for the 1990s. In his post-football career Rucci has held a variety of positions, including executive director of Pennsylvania Lottery and member of the Penn State Board of Trustees.


Josh Miller, 47 (July 14, 1970)
Patriot P, 2004-2006
Uniform #8
After Ken Walter had struggled mightily with punting duties, the Patriots signed the 33 year old Miller to a five year, $5 million contract with a $1 million bonus in 2004. Miller had been a surprise cut by the Steelers, where he had played for eight seasons. He appeared in 42 consecutive games (plus five playoff games) with the Pats. Miller suffered a shoulder injury in a 35-0 win over Green Bay where he punted six times in '06, and was placed on IR.; he was released early in training camp in 2007. He averaged 43.6 yards on 175 punts with the Patriots.


David Viaene, 52 (July 14, 1965)
Patriot OL, 1989-1991
Uniform #70
Viaene played in 20 games with eight starts for the Patriots. He had originally been an 8th round draft pick by the Oilers in 1988; in 1992 he signed as a free agent with the Packers.



Others with New England area connections born today:

- Ed Lawrence (1905-1961); born and raised in Fitchburg, the back played a couple seasons in the early NFL, including for the Boston Bulldogs in 1929.

- Lou Ghecas (1918-1997); Danbury native was a halfback for the 1941 Philadelphia Eagles, but WWII interrupted his NFL career. He also played minor league baseball and after the war worked in the FBI for 26 years, until his retirement.

- Riley Smith (1911-1999); second overall pick in what was the first ever NFL draft in 1936 draft by the Redskins, in their final season playing in Boston.



Some of the other pro football players born today:

- Rosey Grier, 85 (7/14/32); All Pro DT played 11 seasons in the NFL. After retirement he worked as Bobby Kennedy's bodyguard, and was the person who subdued and took the gun away from Sirhan Sirhan when RFK was shot and killed. He was also one of the first former football players to transition to television acting, with 37 credits to his name.

- Ken Burrough, 69 (7/11/48); Double Zero was a Pro Bowl WR for the Houston Oilers, and led the NFL in receiving in 1975.

- Ken Willard, 74 (7/14/43); 49er RB scored 62 touchdowns in his career, and ranked 8th in NFL all time career rushing yardage when he retired in 1974.

- W.K. Hicks, 75 (7/14/42); CB had 40 career interceptions, including an AFL best nine in 1965.

 

[jmt57]

Only one former Patriot born today.


Tony Gaiter, 43 (July 15, 1974)
Patriot PR/KR/WR, 1997 - 2000
Uniform #17 ('97) and #14 (2000)
Pats 6th round (192nd overall) pick of the 1997 draft, out of Miami.
Gaiter (shouldn't he have gone to Florida rather than the U?) was only 5'8 and 169 pounds. He ran track and was a tailback with the Hurricanes, then switched to receiver his senior year. The Pats cut Gaiter near the end of training camp his rookie year, then signed him to the practice squad. He was activated in late November and played in a week 14 victory over the Colts. Gaiter was again waived at the end of the 1998 camp. He was re-signed prior to a week 8 game at Miami but did not play, and released again. After two seasons in San Diego he came back for a third Pats training camp in 2000 - perhaps hoping for better luck with a new head coach - but again did not survive roster cuts.


Others with New England area connections:

- Tim Riordan, 57 (7/15/60); New London native was a quarterback at Temple when Bruce Arians was head coach for the Owls. He was drafted by the St Louis Cardinals in '84, and was later a backup QB for the Saints. Riordan also played in the USFL for two seasons.

- John Bunting, 67 (7/15/50); born in Maine, but grew up in Maryland. Spent 11 seasons in the NFL as an OLB for the Philadelphia Eagles. Was also head coach at the University of North Carolina from 2001 to 2006.

- Steve Bartalo, 53 (7/15/64); born in Maine but raised in Colorado. RB was a 6th round pick by Tampa Bay in '87. He spent one season with the Bucs, one with SF and two in NFL Europe.

- **** Rauch (1893-1970); was an offensive lineman and head coach for five seasons in the early days of the NFL, including in 1929 when the Pottsville Maroons moved and became the Boston Bulldogs. Home games were played at Braves Field, later known as Nickerson Field - the same site the Patriots played their home games for the first three years of their existence.


Some other pro football player born today include:

- John Stallworth, 65 (7/15/52); Hall of Fame WR played on four Pittsburgh Steeler championship teams.

- Alex Karras (1935-2012); All Pro DT for the Lions from 1958 to 1970 was at the wrong end of the power of the NFL commissioner in 1963, when he was suspended for a year. Became known by another generation as an actor, as Mongo in Blazing Saddles, Sheriff Wallace in Porky's, Squash Bernstein in Victor Victoria, and George Papadopolis on Webster. Great uncle to Patriot OL Ted Karras.

- Carnell Lake, 50 (7/15/67); safety was named to the NFL's all-decade team for the 1990s, and has been Pittsburgh's defensive backs coach since 2011.

- Joe Phillips, 54 (7/15/63); DT from 1986-99; one of only 58 defensive lineman in the history of the NFL to play in at least 200 games.

- Sammy Winder, 58 (7/15/59); Pro Bowl RB for Denver in the eighties.

 

[jmt57]

Another slow day for Patriot birthdays: three players with a combined twelve games played with the Pats.


Ken Herock, 76 (July 16, 1941)
Patriot TE, 1969
Uniform #36
Herock played in six games with no stats for the Patriots in the sixth and final year as a pro football player. He became a scout and director of player personnel for the Raiders in 1975 (when Oakland was winning super bowls), and then took the same position with Tampa Bay (somehow turning the Bucs into a playoff team despite their owner's infamous frugality). Herock then went to Atlanta, where he drafted Deion Sanders and Brett Favre, among others; he was also the one NFL scout who believed in Tim Tebow. In 2010 Herock caused a bit of an uproar when he was quoted as saying that he didn't feel there are any topics off limits in pre-draft interviews. He now operates a company that prepares NFL prospects for that very same interview process.

Side note: while looking up information on Herock I came across these two articles, which I found pretty interesting:

No. 1 Pick Headed to Falcons : Ismail: Patriots trade top choice to Cowboys, who are expected to trade it again.

The Most Botched NFL Draft Pick Ever


Bill Atessis, 67 (July 16, 1949)
Patriot DE, 1971
Uniform #73
Atessis was a 2nd round pick by the Colts in '71, but he was let go injured in training camp and released in mid-season. The Pats signed him and he played in five games for them that year. The following year he was asked to lose weight in order to transition to outside linebacker, and ended up walking out of training camp. The Pats traded him to the Cardinals, but he ended up on IR again. In '73 the Jets signed him with the idea of going back to the defensive line, but he was cut in early August to end his NFL career. Atessis now works as a project manager in the construction industry in his native Texas for Faithful + Gould.


Louis Leonard, 33 (July 16, 1984)
Patriot DT, 2010
In his fourth and final year in the NFL, Leonard was signed by the Patriots on December 15, 2010 - and waived six days later. In between he played in the week fifteen 31-27 victory against Green Bay when Matt Flynn threw three touchdowns subbing for an injured Aaron Rodgers.



Four other deceased players with interesting life stories and varying connections to the New England area:

- Harry Connolly (1920-2006); Norwalk native went to Boston College, and the tailback was the 37th overall pick in the 1943 NFL draft.

- Al Cornsweet (1906-1991): Brown grad was a fullback and coach of the 1931 NFL Cleveland Indians.

- Herman Gundlach (1913-2005); went to Worcester Academy and Harvard, and was a guard for the 1935 Boston Redskins.

- Grenny Lansdell (1918-1984); born in Great Barrington, he went on to become one of the great triple threats in college football history. After the war Lansdell went on to become a pilot for Trans World Airways for 30 years.



Other pro football players born today:

- Barry Sanders, 49 (7/16/68); my condolences if you never saw him play.

- Max McGee (1932-2007); unlikely (and hungover) hero of Super Bowl I.

- Gary Anderson, 58 (7/16/59); one of only two kickers to have a 'perfect' season.

- Aaron Glenn, 45 (7/16/72); CB was named to three Pro Bowls, with 41 career interceptions and eight career touchdowns.