The New England Patriots are a National Football League team based in Foxboro, Massachusetts.
- Founded: 1960, as a charter AFL member. Joined the NFL in the 1970 merger.
- Formerly known as: Boston Patriots (1960-1970)
- Home stadium: Gillette Stadium (2002-)
- Former stadiums: Foxboro Stadium (1971-2001), Fenway Park (1963-1968)
- Uniform colors: Blue, White, Red, and Silver
- Helmet design: A man's face in silhouette, wearing a red-white-and-blue tricorn hat
- Super Bowl Championships won (1): 2002 (2001 Season)
- Super Bowl Appearances (3): XX (lost), XXXI (lost), XXXVI (won)
- Division Championships won: 1963, 1976, 1986, 1996, 1997, 2001, 2003
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2 Players of note 3 AFL Players, Coaches, and Contributors |
The Patriots have a long and storied history. The Boston Patriots played the first-ever game in the American Football League, against the Denver Broncos on September 9, 1960. Although the team made only two AFL playoff appearances, it had numerous stars. In 1963, eleven Patriots made the AFL All-star team, including Gino Cappelletti, Nick Buoniconti, and Babe Parilli. In the late 1960's, fullback Jim Nance became a powerful offensive weapon for the Patriots, gaining 1,458 yards in 1966 and 1,216 in 1967, when he was the American Football League's Most Valuable Player.
With several winning seasons and many more losing seasons, under coach Raymond Berry in 1986, they won the American Football Conference title and made their first Super Bowl appearance. Under Bill Parcells, they won a second AFC title in 1997 and played in a second Super Bowl.
In the 2001 season, under coach Bill Belichick, the team surprised everyone by winning the AFC East division title and upsetting the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC championship to earn the right to appear in Super Bowl XXXVI. Then, capping a surprising season, they defeated the heavily-favored Saint Louis Rams to earn the franchise's first-ever World Championship.
Not to be forgotten:
Franchise history
Players of note
Pro Football Hall of Famers:
Current stars:
Retired numbers:20: Gino Cappelletti, 73 John Hannah
New England Patriots official web site
