Drew Bledsoe Named Patriots Honorary Captain For AFC Championship
Greg M. Cooper - USA TODAY Sports
The New England Patriots announced on Friday that former quarterback Drew Bledsoe will serve as the teams honorary captain for the AFC Championship game on Sunday afternoon against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Bledsoe, who played for the Patriots from 1993-2001, was the starting quarterback during the teams run to Super Bowl XXXI, beating the Jaguars 20-6 in January 1997 for the second AFC Championship in franchise history.
Patriots Chairman and CEO Robert Kraft released a statement following the news;
“Drew Bledsoe played such an integral role in our efforts to rebuild the Patriots,” said Patriots Chairman and CEO Robert Kraft. “He gave fans hope for the future by providing many memorable moments during his record-breaking career. For a franchise that had only hosted one playoff game in its first 35 years, winning the AFC Championship Game at home in Foxboro and taking the Patriots to the playoffs for three consecutive years were unimaginable goals prior to his arrival.”
From January 12, 1997 to January 21, 2018.
AFC Championship flashback: pic.twitter.com/LXVG83xX0n
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) January 16, 2018
Bledsoe will be on the field for the pregame festivities when he accompanies the Patriots captains for the coin toss, he was previously an honorary captain for the 2011 AFC Championship game when the Patriots beat the Baltimore Ravens 23-20 to advance to Super Bowl XLVI.
Posted Under: 2017 Patriots Postseason
Tags: Drew Bledsoe
