Established
1960
City
Boston
League History
1970 - Present / National Football League
1960 - 1970 / American Football League
Team History
1971 - Present / New England Patriots
1960 - 1970 / Boston Patriots
Nickname
Patriots - The Boston Patriots have a long and storied history in the NFL. As one of the original teams to join the league, they have become synonymous with New England football and their loyal fan base. But did you know that their team name has an interesting origin story?
It all started when Billy Sullivan, Jr., owner of The Boston Patriot newspaper, purchased a franchise in 1959 for $25,000 from George Preston Marshall’s Washington Redskins organization. Sullivan wanted to honor his father's paper by naming his new team after it - hence why he chose “Patriots” as opposed to any other potential names such as “Bombers” or “Pilots."
Seventy-four fans suggested Patriots in the name-the-team contest conducted by the management group of Boston’s original AFL franchise in 1960. Initially located in Boston, it was named the Patriots because of the area’s heritage as the birthplace of the American Revolution.
Before the 1960 season began, however, there was still debate over what logo should be used on helmets (as well as uniforms). After much deliberation between several designs, including Native American headdresses & tomahawk symbols or even an American Revolutionary War minuteman image, it was ultimately decided that a tricorne hat would be chosen instead due to its historical significance within Massachusetts' culture at the period. This decision also helped create a further distinction between Patriots & Redskins, who had similar logos before this point.
While some may not think twice about where this iconic nickname comes from - sports fans everywhere should take a moment to recognize the unique origin behind their beloved NFL team: The Boston Patriots!
Championship
Super Bowl 0
2019, 2017, 2015, 2005, 2004, 2002
AFL Championship 0
Stadium
2003 - Present / Gillette Stadium
2002 / CMGI Field
1990 - 2001 / Foxboro Stadium
1983 - 1989 / Sullivan Stadium
1971 - 1982 / Schaefer Stadium
1970 / Harvard Stadium
1969 / Alumni Stadium
1963 - 1968 / Fenway Park
1960 - 1962 / Nickerson Field
Owner
1994 - Present / Robert Kraft
1992 - 1994 / James Orthwein
1987 - 1992 / Victor Kiam
1960 - 1987 / Billy Sullivan
- 1960
- 1970
-
Boston Patriots Team Formation
Boston business executive Billy Sullivan was awarded the eighth and final franchise of the developing American Football League (AFL) on November 16, 1959. The following winter, locals submitted thousands of ideas for the Boston football team’s official name. Sullivan chose “Boston Patriots,” which was suggested by 74 fans, among them Larry Kepnes. Immediately thereafter, artist Phil Bissell developed the “Pat ... -
NFL and AFL Merge
When the NFL and AFL merged in 1970, the Patriots were placed in the American Football Conference East (AFC East) division, where they still play today. The following year, the Patriots moved to a new stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, which would serve as their home for the next 30 years. As a result of the move, they announced they would ...
To qualify as the greatest player for this team, the player must have played one season for this team. If not, we will remove the player.
* verifies that player has played for this team as an added player by a fan.
History of the Patriots
The Boston Patriots, who later became the New England Patriots, were a professional American football team that played in the American Football League (AFL) from 1960 to 1969. The team was based in Boston, Massachusetts, and was one of the eight original members of the AFL. During their ten years as an AFL franchise, they won three division titles and appeared twice in the championship game; however, they lost both appearances.
In 1971, after being absorbed into what is now known as the National Football League (NFL), they changed their name to the New England Patriots. Since then, under head coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady's leadership, from the 2000–2019 season, they have become one of the most successful NFL franchises with six Super Bowl championships—the most by any NFL organization during that period—and seventeen AFC East titles since 2001 alone, making them arguably among the greatest dynasties in sports history ever seen!
Throughout its existence as an independent franchise or within either league, the Pats had some notable players who left lasting marks on the league’s record books, such as Babe Parilli, who passed for 25 touchdowns during the 1962 season when he led his squad to back-to-back Eastern Division Titles; Mike Haynes, a first-round pick in the 1974 draft and a cornerback whose interception return yards totaled 1,068 over 8 seasons with the club; Jim Nance, a two-time Pro Bowler as a fullback/running back, rushed for 5,472 yards and 56 touchdowns while playing 11 seasons at Foxboro Stadium before retiring in 1981. These are just a few names mentioned out of the many talented individuals who contributed towards the success this storied organization has enjoyed throughout its long history.
Sports Fan Products
Retired Number
20 / Gino Cappelletti
40 / Mike Haynes
57 / Steve Nelson
73 / John Hannah
78 / Bruce Armstrong
79 / Jim Lee Hunt
89 / Bob Dee
*Blue is this team’s history