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 New England Patriots are one of the most iconic franchises in the NFL, and their nickname is just as recognizable. But where did it come from? Let’s take a look at how this beloved team got its name.
New England Patriots Origin
In 1971, then-owner Billy Sullivan had to decide on a name for his newly formed franchise that would play in Boston. He wanted something with local ties and eventually settled on “Patriots” after seeing an article about patriot Paul Revere riding through Massachusetts during the American Revolution. The article mentioned he was “riding through town shouting 'the British are coming." Sullivan liked this idea of rallying people together under one cause and thought it fit perfectly with his new team's mission statement: "to unite all people who love football."
Since then, fans have embraced their new moniker wholeheartedly and proudly fly flags featuring the Patriot logo around Gillette Stadium every Sunday during home games! As you can see, there is much more to this classic nickname than meets the eye - so next time you hear someone cheering for New England Patriots football, make sure they know why they're doing so!
Championship
Super Bowl 6
2019, 2016, 2014, 2004, 2003, 2001
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
- 1971
- 1971
- 1994
- 2001
- 2002
- 2003 - 2004
- 2014
- 2016
- 2018
-
New Name New England
When the NFL and AFL merged in 1970, the Patriots were placed in the AFC East division, where they still play today. The following year, the team changed their name to the New England Patriots to reflect the location change, as well as its following throughout the region as its only NFL team though both New York City teams have ... -
New Foxboro Stadium
After bouncing around between four different Boston-area stadiums in their first 11 seasons, in 1971 the Patriots moved into a new stadium in suburban Foxborough (also known as Foxboro), on land granted by the Bay State Raceway. Prior to 2002, the Patriots played in Foxboro Stadium dating back to 1971, the team’s second year in the NFL after the AFL-NFL ... -
Bob Kraft Buys the Team
A Patriots fan since their American Football League days, Kraft has been a season ticket holder since 1971, when the team moved to the then-Schaefer Stadium. In 1985, Kraft bought a 10-year option on Foxboro Raceway, a horse track adjacent to the stadium. The option would allow Kraft to prevent the financially struggling Patriots’ owners from holding non-Patriot events at ... -
Super Bowl XXXVI Winner 2001
Super Bowl XXXVI was an American football game between the National Football Conference (NFC) champion St. Louis Rams and the American Football Conference (AFC) champion New England Patriots to decide the National Football League (NFL) champion for the 2001 season. The Patriots defeated the Rams 20–17. It was New England’s first Super Bowl victory. -
New Stadium – Gillette Stadium
The stadium would open in the spring of 2002 with a “soft opening”, including games of the New England Revolution and concerts. In the months leading up to the grand opening of the stadium in September 2002, CMGi Corporation fell upon difficult financial times and sold the naming rights to the Gillette Company prior to the grand opening. The stadium ... -
Two in A Row – Super Bowl 2003 & 2004
2003 Super Bowl XXXVIII was an American football game between the National Football Conference (NFC) champion Carolina Panthers and the American Football Conference (AFC) champion New England Patriots to decide the National Football League (NFL) champion for the 2003 season. The Patriots defeated the Panthers by the score of 32-29, winning their second Super Bowl in three years. The game ... -
Super Bowl XLIX Winner 2014
Super Bowl XLIX was an American football game played to determine the champion of the National Football League (NFL) for the 2014 season. The American Football Conference (AFC) champion New England Patriots defeated the National Football Conference (NFC) champion Seattle Seahawks, 28–24, to earn their fourth Super Bowl title. The game was played on February 1, 2015, at the University ... -
Overtime Win in Super Bowl LI
Super Bowl LI was an American football game played at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas, on February 5, 2017, to determine the champion of the National Football League (NFL) for the 2016 season. The American Football Conference (AFC) champion New England Patriots defeated the National Football Conference (NFC) champion Atlanta Falcons, 34–28. Super Bowl LI featured the largest comeback in ... -
Number 6 Super Bowls for the New England Patriots
Super Bowl LIII was an American football game played to determine the champion of the National Football League (NFL) for the 2018 season. The American Football Conference (AFC) champion New England Patriots defeated the National Football Conference (NFC) champion Los Angeles Rams, 13–3. The game was played on February 3, 2019, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, and was the ...
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.
New England Patriots History
The New England Patriots history began in 1960 when the franchise was founded as the Boston Patriots. In the early years, success was limited. Between 1962 and 1979, the team recorded only three winning seasons. Despite these struggles, the franchise pushed forward, building a foundation for what would later become one of the most successful stories in football.
The turning point in the New England Patriots history came with the arrival of head coach Bill Belichick in 2000. That same year, the team captured its first Super Bowl title against the St. Louis Rams. This victory set the tone for two decades of dominance and marked the start of a dynasty that redefined the New England Patriots NFL legacy.
Quarterback Tom Brady became the centerpiece of this dynasty. Widely considered one of the greatest players of all time, he led the Patriots to five additional Super Bowl victories. Along the way, he earned four Super Bowl MVP awards. His leadership, combined with Belichick’s coaching, turned the New England Patriots history into one of resilience, excellence, and sustained success.
The franchise has also been known for its strong community presence. Through charity initiatives and outreach programs, the Patriots became more than just a football team. Players like Julian Edelman and Rob Gronkowski built their own legacies, while fans continued to embrace the team’s culture. This impact made the New England Patriots NFL organization an enduring part of American sports culture.
New England Patriots Achievements
The New England Patriots history includes six Super Bowl titles, eleven Super Bowl appearances, and an unmatched run of AFC East dominance. The team has won more than 20 division titles, showcasing consistent excellence. Their dynasty years from 2001 to 2019 remain one of the greatest runs in professional sports.
From legendary players to historic victories, the New England Patriots NFL legacy continues to grow. Their achievements on the field, combined with their cultural impact off it, secure the Patriots as one of the most iconic franchises in football history.
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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