Glory Days T here are no guarantees when you own a professional sports team Billy Sullivan and his partners knew this when they started the Boston Patriots in 1960 The team was part of the new American Football League AFL No one was sure whether the AFL would be a success Even if it was many fans doubted whether pro football would survive in Boston Massachusetts Five teams had already failed there The Patriots did not want to be the sixth They were led by quarterback Babe Parilli and Gino Cappelletti who was a kicker and receiver Boston’s defense starred linebacker Nick Buoniconti and linemen Larry Eisenhauer and Houston Antwine In 1963 the team reached the AFL Championship Game but lost to the San Diego Chargers The Boston fans were hooked nonetheless 6
In 1971 the team moved to a stadium outside of Boston and renamed itself the New England Patriots They were also now a part of the National Football League NFL New England had good teams and some great players in the years that followed but the team could not make it to the Super Bowl In 1984 the Patriots hired Raymond Berry as their coach A year later he led them to their first American Football Conference AFC championship In 1996 Bill Parcells coached the team to its second AFC championship Both times however the Patriots lost in the Super Bowl Despite their long wait for a Super Bowl victory New England fans had a lot to be proud of The team had many excellent players during the 1980s and 1990s The offense was led by stars such as Russ Francis Steve Grogan Tony Eason Drew Bledsoe Curtis Martin LEFT Larry Eisenhauer led the Patriots defense in the 1960s ABOVE Drew Bledsoe passed the Pats to their second Super Bowl 7
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Terry Glenn and Ben Coates The defense was just as talented with Andre Tippett Steve Nelson Willie McGinest and Ty Law All the Patriots needed was a leader who could help the team take that final step That player turned out to be an unknown quarterback named Tom Brady In 2001 coach Bill Belichick made Brady the starter after an injury to Bledsoe The team pulled together around Brady He guided the Patriots to an 11 5 record followed by victories in the playoffs over the Oakland Raiders and Pittsburgh Steelers Brady continued his magnificent play in Super Bowl XXXVI New England fans celebrated their first championship with a thrilling last-second victory over the St Louis Rams LEFT Tom Brady fades back to pass ABOVE Coach Bill Belichick raises the Super Bowl trophy 9
