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New England Patriots

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The New England Patriots are a professional American football team.

Tom Brady 2019
Tom Brady 2019

They compete in the National Football League (NFL). The team is a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) East division. Currently, the franchise is owned by Robert Kraft.

RobertKraftPatriots (cropped)
RobertKraftPatriots (cropped)

He purchased the team in 1994. Since that time, the Patriots have sold out every home game. As of 2024, they are the second-most valuable sports team in the world. They play their home games at Gillette Stadium.

Gillette Stadium04
Gillette Stadium04

This stadium is located in Foxborough, Massachusetts. It sits southwest of Boston.

The team's history began in 1959.

Minuteman statue 2 - Old North Bridge
Minuteman statue 2 - Old North Bridge

A business executive named Billy Sullivan was awarded the final franchise of the American Football League (AFL). The team was originally called the Boston Patriots. The name refers to the colonists who fought for American independence. The name was chosen by local fans. Artist Phil Bissell created the "Pat Patriot" logo. During these early years, the team lacked a permanent home. They played at various locations. These included Fenway Park, Harvard Stadium, and Boston University Field. In 1970, the AFL and NFL merged. This merger moved the team into the NFL. In 1971, the team moved to Foxborough. They changed their name to the New England Patriots at this time.

The franchise experienced many changes in ownership and identity.

AFC-1995-1999-Uniform-NE
AFC-1995-1999-Uniform-NE

In the mid-1970s, Billy Sullivan faced legal challenges regarding his control of the team. Financial difficulties grew during the 1980s. This was partly due to heavy losses from financing a concert tour. These debts forced the Sullivan family to sell the team in 1985. Ownership changed several times after that. Victor Kiam owned the team in 1988. James Orthwein purchased it in 1992. Orthwein changed the team colors to blue and silver. He also commissioned a new logo. He eventually intended to move the team to St. Louis. However, he sold the team to Robert Kraft in 1994 for $175 million.

A new era of success began in the early 2000s.

Tom Brady and Bill Belichick
Tom Brady and Bill Belichick

This period is often called the Brady–Belichick era. It was led by head coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady.

Tom Brady with Vince Lombardi trophy
Tom Brady with Vince Lombardi trophy

In 2001, an injury to the starting quarterback allowed Tom Brady to play. The team won the Super Bowl that year. This victory started a long period of dominance. The duo is considered one of the greatest in sports history. They led the team to nine Super Bowl appearances between 2001 and 2019. The Patriots won six of those championships. This number ties them with the Pittsburgh Steelers for the most wins. They also hold the record for the most Super Bowl appearances with 12.

The Patriots established many impressive NFL records during this dynasty.

Patriots 12uniforms
Patriots 12uniforms

They achieved the most wins in a 10-year period. This total was 126 wins from 2003 to 2012. They also held the record for the longest winning streak. This streak lasted 21 games from October 2003 to October 2004. The team had the most consecutive winning seasons. This streak lasted 19 years from 2001 to 2019. They also won 11 consecutive division titles. In 2007, they completed a perfect 16-0 regular season. This remains the only undefeated 16-game regular season in NFL history. They also hold the record for the most postseason wins with 40.

Many legendary players contributed to these achievements.

Rob Gronkowski
Rob Gronkowski

Tight end Rob Gronkowski was a major part of the offense. Other notable players include linebacker Mike Vrabel and cornerback Ty Law.

Ty Law
Ty Law

In the 1970s and 1980s, players like John Hannah and Andre Tippett provided strength.

John Hannah New England Patriots press photo 1976-1980
John Hannah New England Patriots press photo 1976-1980

The team's success relied on both veteran players and high-value draft picks. These players helped the team maintain a high winning percentage. The franchise's postseason winning percentage is .638. This high level of play made the Patriots a dominant force in the league for two decades.

The team continues to evolve in the post-Brady era. Tom Brady left the team in 2020 to join the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Following his departure, the team faced new challenges. They posted a losing record in 2020. They missed the playoffs for the first time since 2008. In 2023, the team finished with a record of 4–13. Despite these recent struggles, the Patriots remain a significant part of American sports culture. Their history of excellence and their connection to New England history continue to define the franchise.

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🖼️ Images & Media (28)
File:JimNance.png
JimNance.png
File:Minuteman statue 2 - Old North Bridge.jpg
Minuteman statue 2 - Old North Bridge.jpg
File:Tom Brady and Bill Belichick.jpg
Tom Brady and Bill Belichick.jpg
File:Rob Gronkowski.JPG
Rob Gronkowski.JPG
File:Tom Brady with Vince Lombardi trophy.jpg
Tom Brady with Vince Lombardi trophy.jpg
File:Pro Football Hall of Fame (38809410831).jpg
Pro Football Hall of Fame (38809410831).jpg
File:AFC-1984-1987,1990-Uniform-NE.png
AFC-1984-1987,1990-Uniform-NE.png
File:AFC-1995-1999-Uniform-NE.png
AFC-1995-1999-Uniform-NE.png
File:Patriots 12uniforms.png
Patriots 12uniforms.png
File:2022Patriotsuniforms.png
2022Patriotsuniforms.png
File:Randy Moss etc at Patriots training camp 2009.jpg
Randy Moss etc at Patriots training camp 2009.jpg
File:New England Patriots Boeing 763 arrives at Logan International Airport with medical supplies.jpg
New England Patriots Boeing 763 arrives...

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