![]() This marked stability for the Patriots, who shifted between four different Boston-area stadiums since its creation. The stadium, to be known as Schaefer Stadium, became Sullivan Stadium in 1983 and, ultimately, Foxboro Stadium in 1990. Despite the lack of wins, local morale increased in 1971 when the Patriots moved into a new stadium in Foxborough (also known as Foxboro). However, the Patriots' first season as part of the NFL resulted in a record of 2–12, sole possession of the newly merged league's worst record. The Patriots were merged into the American Football Conference (AFC), where they remain to the present day. In 1970, the Patriots' franchise joined the NFL pursuant to the merger of the AFL and NFL that had been agreed to three years earlier. The Patriots' second decade began with significant changes. Tom Addison, the first Patriot All-star, founded the AFL Players Association in the mid 1960s. Although the franchise lost the championship, it was honored when eleven Patriots made the AFL All-star team, including Gino Cappelletti, Nick Buoniconti, Jim Lee Hunt, Houston Antwine, Bob Dee, and Babe Parilli.Īlthough Boston failed to reach the AFL playoffs for the remainder of the decade, the team was noted in 1966 when fullback Jim Nance gained 1,458 yards, and the title of the American Football League's MVP. However, in 1963 the Patriots reached the AFL Championship for the first time, resulting in a loss to the San Diego Chargers by a score of 51–10. The Patriots failed to reach the playoffs in each of their first four seasons, despite posting a cumulative 23-17 record. 5,000 temporary seats covered the left field wall, and field goals were regularly kicked into the right field visitors' bullpen. From 1961 to 1969, the Patriots played at Fenway Park, the home of the Boston Red Sox. The franchise played first at legendary Braves Field in Boston, the old home of the Boston Braves that was eventually purchased by Boston University, where it was renamed Nickerson Field. The Broncos defeated the Patriots by a score of 13–10. On September 9 of that year, the Boston Patriots played the Denver Broncos in the first-ever AFL regular season game. The franchise's first training camp began on July 4, 1960, two months prior to their first official game. Several months later, Phil Bisell created the "Pat Patriot" logo (see section), and Lou Saban was selected as the team's first head coach. The most popular choice-and the one that Sullivan selected-was "Boston Patriots", which derived from the historical Patriots of the American Revolution. The following winter, locals were allowed to submit ideas for the Boston football team's official name. was awarded the eighth and final franchise of the developing American Football League (AFL). On November 16, 1959, Boston executive William H. Between 20, the Patriots became the second team in NFL history (after the Dallas Cowboys) to win three Super Bowls in four years ( Super Bowl XXXVI, XXXVIII, and XXXIX), and the seventh team to win consecutive Super Bowls (XXXVIII and XXXIX). The team also lost Super Bowl XXXI in 1997. ![]() The team advanced to the playoffs four times before their first Super Bowl appearance, a loss in Super Bowl XX in 1986. Originally called the Boston Patriots, the ownership changed the name after relocating the team to Foxborough in 1971.Īfter forming as an original member of the American Football League, the Patriots joined the NFL in the league merger of 1970. They are currently members of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference (AFC) in the National Football League (NFL). The New England Patriots, or " Pats" as frequently referred to by sports writers and fans are a professional American football team based in Foxboro, Massachusetts. "Nautical" Blue, "New Century" Silver, Red, and White
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