The New England Patriots, a powerhouse born in 1959, carving a legacy of glory with six Super Bowls and a dynasty sculpted by Robert Kraft's visionary might.

Introduction

The New England Patriots wear blue, red, silver, and white. Their owner, Robert Kraft, also serves as the chairman and CEO, while Bill Belichick is their head coach.

With  'I'm Shipping Up to Boston' as their fight song, this team sure knows how to take one.  Bill Belichick took over as head coach in 2000 after a disappointing tenure with Pete Carroll & magical NFL draft of GOAT Tom Brady.

The New England Patriots, also known as “The Pats,” have had various nicknames over the years, including “The Evil Empire” for their dominance and “The Boogeymen” for their strong defense in 2019. They were also called “The Boston TE Party” when they had great tight ends from 2010 to 2012.

The New England Patriots in a nutshell

The Patriots started as the ‘Boston Patriots’ on Nov 16, 1959, in the American Football League. They are now known as the ‘New England Patriots’ in the NFL. The NE Patriots, founded in 1959, began playing in 1960 and call Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, their home for NFL games. They were originally called the Boston Patriots from 1960 to 1970 and then became the New England Patriots in 1971, a name they have retained ever since.

Robert Kraft, a native of Brookline, Massachusetts, and a longtime Patriots fan since the 1960s, has been involved in the NFL. Robert Kraft, a big Patriots fan, bought the team in 1994 for a staggering $172 million. He has served on owner committees and boards, including the Apollo Theater.

In the year Kraft bought the team (1994), the Patriots advanced to the playoffs for the first time in eight seasons. Since then, they've won six Super Bowls, been to 10, and have the best win record in sports after 28 years. According to Forbes, today’s the Patriots' valuation hovers around an impressive $7 billion.

The New England Patriots 2023 schedule

The New England Patriots are having a tough season with one win and four losses after Week 5. They haven't won any games at home but managed to win one on the road. They're in the AFC East Division of the American Football Conference.

The New England Patriots 2023 Player Roster

OFFENCE

DEFENSE

SPECIAL TEAMS

CHAMPIONSHIPS

The Patriots have played in 11 Super Bowls, winning six and dominating the early 2000s with three Super Bowl victories in just four years. Along with that, the New England Patriots have won the AFC Conference title 11 times in the NFL. They're a strong team!

Super Bowl Championships: 06

AFC Championships: 11

Moreover, the Patriots have secured an impressive 22 division titles, putting them in second place all-time. However, they're closely trailing behind the Steelers and Cowboys, who jointly hold the top spot with 24 division championships each in NFL history.

2023 Key Players

Last year, Judon stood out as the Patriots' top defensive player. He achieved remarkable stats, tallying 15.5 sacks, ranking fourth in the NFL, along with 28 quarterback hits and 60 tackles. His prowess in both halting the opponent's running game and pressuring quarterbacks was exceptional.

As a result, he earned his fourth Pro Bowl appearance and secured a ninth-place finish in the NFL Defensive Player of the Year voting. His performance placed him in the top 2.6% of all NFL defenders, a truly impressive accomplishment.

Kyle Dugger (Safety)

In 2020, the 27-year-old player was selected as the 37th pick by New England. Known for his versatility, he excels in both stopping the run and covering passes on the field. In the previous season, he consistently ranked among the top safeties in terms of run defense and coverage, earning a high grade. His performance was further highlighted by impressive statistics, including interceptions and touchdowns. Additionally, he actively contributed to the pass rush with well-executed blitzes and pressures.

Rhamondre Stevenson (Running Back)

During the 2022 NFL season, Rhamondre Stevenson was initially expected to share the running back position with Damien Harris on the New England Patriots. However, due to Harris' injuries, Stevenson had to step up and assume a more significant role. Impressively, he ran for 1,040 yards and scored five touchdowns. Additionally, he contributed as a receiver, catching 69 passes for 421 yards. Stevenson's total yardage ranked him eighth among all running backs.

Head Coaches

Over the years, the Patriots have seen 14 different head coaches take the helm. Lou Saban held the distinction of being the very first in 1960. However, his tenure was cut short when he was let go during his second season. Since the year 2000, Bill Belichick has been the enduring face of the franchise, serving as the current coach.

Renowned head coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady both joined the Patriots in 2000, forming the most successful coach-quarterback pairing in history. Born in Nashville, Tennessee on April 16, 1952, Bill Belichick rose through the ranks in the NFL. His coaching journey began modestly in 1975 as an assistant with the Baltimore Colts. Over the next 12 years, he honed his skills working with the New York Giants.

In the early '90s, he took on the role of head coach for the Cleveland Browns. Later, he found his home with the New England Patriots, where he eventually became the head coach. Although he had a brief stint with the New York Jets, he never led them in a game. Notably, the Patriots' owner Robert Kraft granted Belichick significant authority in managing the team.

Bill Belichick, the New England Patriots' head coach, is a legend in the NFL. He's won 8 Super Bowls, the most ever. He's also got 6 Super Bowl wins as a head coach, the most. He's been to the Super Bowl 12 times, with 9 as a head coach, another record. In the playoffs, he's got 31 wins, the most as a head coach, and 19 playoff appearances, tied for the most. He's won his division 17 times. Bill Belichick is an NFL icon with a unique legacy.

List of all 14 coaches in the New England Patriots history

Gillette Stadium

The New England Patriots represent the states of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. Their Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, is known for its frosty fortress atmosphere. The Patriots hold the NFL record for most consecutive home stadium wins at 21. Their current logo, nicknamed the “flying Elvis,” evolved from the classic Pat Patriot design.

Foxboro Stadium, which opened in 1971, served as the original home for the New England Patriots. However, in 2002, it was demolished and replaced by Gillette Stadium, along with a shopping center. Gillette Stadium, now the Patriots' home, has a capacity of approximately 65,878 fans.

The playing surface switched from grass to FieldTurf in 2006. Recently, in 2021, a substantial $225 million renovation project commenced, aiming to be completed before the 2023 NFL season.

The New England Patriots Mascot

In 1959, the Boston Patriots introduced Pat Patriot, a mascot crafted by cartoonist Phil Bissell. This character symbolizes the rich history of the New England region. Today, Pat Patriot proudly serves as the mascot for the New England Patriots football team. According to the Patriots website, Mascot details -

However, a ranking by Rhiannon Walker from The Athletic in 2020, didn't paint Pat Patriot in the best light, as he ended up near the bottom of the list when it came to NFL mascots. In fact, back in 2015, he earned the title of the second creepiest mascot in football, trailing only the San Diego Chargers' Boltman.

Controversies

The Spygate scandal involved allegations that the Patriots illegally videotaped their opponents' signals before games. Having knowledge of opponents' coverage before plays provided them with an advantage on offense. According to a documentary by the YouTube channel ‘BeastModeHighlights,’ the Deflategate controversy arose when it was discovered that 11 of the 12 balls used by the Patriots in a game were significantly below league requirements. This raised questions about whether the Patriots had gained an unfair advantage by using underinflated footballs.

The Patriots' arrival, tactics, and their validity as a dynasty were questioned by rival teams and coaches. The controversies surrounding Spygate and Deflategate cast doubt on the integrity of their success. Jets' head coach Eric Mangini, a former disciple of Bill Belichick, revealed information about Belichick's filming of defensive signals.

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Security caught one of Belichick's associates in the act during a game against Mangini's team, leading to further investigations. As a result of the investigation into their filming practices, Bill Belichick was fined $500,000, and the Patriots organization was fined $250,000. The team also lost a first-round draft pick for 2008.

Regarding Spygate: Initial claims and later retractions - Allegedly, the initial allegations were made by the Boston Herald regarding the New England Patriots videotaping the St. Louis Rams' walkthrough practice before Super Bowl 36. However, the allegations were later retracted by the Boston Herald.

According to reports available on the internet, the Jets and Broncos were also caught filming opponents' plays and signals before games. The Jets were caught filming Patriots plays and defensive signals from both end zones of Gillette Stadium in 2006. The Broncos were fined for filming the 49ers' walkthrough before a game between the two teams in London, with Josh McDaniels as their head coach at the time.

The New England Patriots Pro Football Hall of Famers

In the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the Patriots are represented by 11 individuals. Among them, 10 are players, and 1 is a coach. Notably, six of these Hall of Famers made their primary contributions to professional football while playing for the Patriots.

FAQs

Why are the New England Patriots and not the Boston Patriots?

The New England Patriots started as the Boston Patriots in 1959 in the AFL. They became part of the NFL in 1970, moving to Foxborough in 1971. They changed their name to represent the whole region after the NFL said no to "Bay State Patriots."

Why are they called the New England Patriots?

The New England Patriots used to be the Boston Patriots, with the name picked in a contest by local sportswriters. They chose "Patriots" to celebrate Boston's important role in America's history.

Who do the New England Patriots represent?

The New England Patriots are a football team that stands for six states: Vermont, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Maine.

Who bought the Patriots?

In 1994, Robert Kraft purchased the Patriots for $172 million. Fast forward to today, and the team's value has soared to an impressive $6 billion.

Could Tom Brady return to the Patriots?

Per reports, Tom Brady is not coming back to the NFL. New England Patriots celebrated him in their 2023 season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles.