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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 Patriot” logo.
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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 change their name from the Boston Patriots to the Bay State Patriots. The name was rejected by the NFL and on March 22, 1971, the team officially announced they would change its geographic name to New England.
An original member of the American Football League (AFL), the Patriots joined the NFL in the 1970 merger of the two leagues. The team changed its name from the original Boston Patriots after relocating to Foxborough in 1971. The Patriots played their home games at Foxboro Stadium from 1971 to 2001, then moved to Gillette Stadium at the start of the 2002 season. The Patriots’ rivalry with the New York Jets is considered one of the most bitter rivalries in the NFL.
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 – Seventy-four fans suggested Patriots in the name-the-team contest that was conducted by the management group of Boston’s original AFL franchise in 1960. Originally located in Boston, was named the Patriots because of the area’s heritage as the birthplace of the American Revolution.
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
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