football New England Patriots

New England Patriots History

In 2000 despite the doubts of some, Kraft hired Bill Belichick as head coach of the Patriots. Belichick had a five year stint as the head coach of the Cleveland Browns but it was his work as assistant coach and defensive coordinator that had earned him acclaim. Given a second chance as a head coach, he built his team on a foundation of discipline, teamwork, preparation, and character, with the result of the Patriots developing into an elite team.
The Patriots' time in the AFL saw them struggle most years as they never had a regular home stadium. Nickerson Field, Harvard Stadium, Fenway Park, and Alumni Stadium all served as home fields during their time in the American Football League. They did play in one AFL championship game, following the 1963 season. They lost to the San Diego Chargers 51–10. They would not appear again in an AFL or NFL post-season game for another 13 years.[1]
Perhaps the most memorable game ever played in the old stadium was its last, in January of 2002. On a Saturday night in a raging snow storm, Adam Vinatieri booted a field goal in overtime to give the Patriots a playoff victory over Oakland. Two games later, with quarterback Tom Brady completing the first chapter of the onset of a legendary career, and Vinatieri booting yet another game winning field goal, the Patriots won their first Super Bowl.
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 Patriots moved to a new stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, which would serve as their home for 30 years. As a result of the move, they would change their name from the Boston Patriots to the New England Patriots. During the 1970s, the Patriots had some success, earning a berth to the playoffs in 1976—as a wild card-team—and in 1978—as AFC East champions. They lost in the first round both times. In 1985, they returned to the playoffs, and made it all the way to Super Bowl XX, which they lost to the Chicago Bears 46–10. Following their Super Bowl loss, they returned to the playoffs in 1986, but lost in the first round. The team would not make the playoffs again for eight more years. They changed ownership three times, being purchased from the Sullivan family first by Victor Kiam in 1988, who sold the team to James Orthwein in 1992. Orthwein intended to move the team to his native St. Louis, Missouri, but sold the team two years later to current owner Robert Kraft in 1994.[1]
In the Fall of 2002 after decades of frustration, deals gone bad, and threats of relocation, the Patriots opened state of the art Gillette Stadium, next to site of the old one. In addition to athletic events, the stadium clubhouse was also constructed to be used as a year round convention center and function hall.
The first year in the new stadium was an off year for the team but 2003 and 2004 were historic. The Patriots steamrolled to consecutive 14-2 records and two more Super Bowl titles. They became the second team to ever win three out of four Super Bowls, and their 34 victories is record for two seasons.
Though Orthwein's period as owner was short and controversial, he did oversee major changes to the team. Former New York Giants coach Bill Parcells was hired in 1993, and the drastic changes were made the same year to the Patriots uniforms, changing their primary colors from their traditional red and white to blue and silver, and introducing a new logo.[2] Parcells would bring the Patriots to two playoff appearances, including Super Bowl XXXI, which they lost to the Green Bay Packers by a score of 35–21. Pete Carroll, Parcells's successor, would also take the team to the playoffs twice.[1]
It has been a long journey for the Patriots. From a rag- tag team in an ridiculed league; forever in search of a home, often in search for fans, victories, and respect, the Patriots have reached the apex of their sport. When referring to the New England Patriots of the 2000's, they are on the short, illustrious list of the greatest dynasties of the NFL.
 
The Patriots' current coach Bill Belichick was hired in 2000, and a new home field, Gillette Stadium was opened in 2002. Under Belichick, the team won three Super Bowls in four years, and finished the 2007 regular season with a perfect 16–0 record, becoming only the fifth team in league history to go undefeated in the regular season, and the only one since the league expanded its regular season schedule to 16 games.[1] After advancing to Super Bowl XLII, the team's fourth Super Bowl in seven years, the Patriots were defeated by the Giants to end their bid for a 19–0 season. With the loss, the Patriots ended the year at 18–1, becoming only one of three teams to go 18–1 along with the 1984 San Francisco 49ers and the 1985 Chicago Bears. Those teams, however, won the Super Bowl.
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The New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional American football team based in the Greater Boston area

they playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium

They were the last of eight teams that formed the new American Football League which began play in 1960

Though the AFL was ridiculed by the media and the NFL, it succeeded with a wide open shoot-out style of football

The Patriots were solid contenders with several standout players, in the early years. They won the Eastern Division in 1963 but lost to San Diego in the championship game