Official website of the New England Patriots
57 Photos For 57 Years
On Nov. 16, 1959, the Patriots were awarded a franchise in the American Football League. Here's a year-by-year look at what's happened in the 57 years that have followed.
(Original Caption) Boston: Boston Patriots halfback, Larry Garran (#46), drives around his own right and for 5 yard gain in 1st period of Denver Bronco's, Patriot's game. The underdog Bronco's defeated the Patriots, 13-10.
The Boston Patriots starting offensive line, tackle Gerry DeLucca (74), guard Tony Sardisco (64), center Walt Cudzik (54), guard Charlie Leo (63) and tackle Charley Long (76) are pictured together in Boston, Mas., 1961. (AP Photo/NFL Photos)
FILE - In this September 1962 file photo, Buffalo Bills fullback Cookie Gilchrist (34) is brought down by Boston Patriots' Chuck Shonta (34) during an exhibition football game in Boston. BostonÂ’s Nick Buoniconti (85) and Bills' Mack Yoho (81) are at left. Former American Football League star Gilchrist has died of cancer at 75. Nephew Thomas Gilchrist says his uncle died Monday, Jan. 10, 2011, at an assisted living facility near Pittsburgh. Gilchrist spent three seasons in Buffalo, two in Denver and one in Miami. (AP Photo/Bill Chaplis, File)
Nick Buoniconti of the Boston Patriots is shown in this 1963 photo. Buoniconti was one of seven elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Saturday, Jan. 27, 2001. (AP Photo)
Boston's Gino Cappelletti scores one of the 24 points he racked up against Buffalo with this extra-point kick in Buffalo, N.Y., on Nov. 16, 1964. Cappelletti grabbed three touchdown passes and a two-point conversion pass from quarterback Babe Parilli and kicked four other extra points as the Patriots ended Buffalo's nine-game American Football League victory skein, 36-28. Parilli (15) holds for Cappelletti and Buffalo's George Saimes (26) makes vain attempt to block the kick. (AP Photo/LM)
BOSTON, MA - NOVEMBER 7: Babe Parilli #15 of the Boston Patriots drops back to pass against the Buffalo Bills during an AFL football game at Fenway Park November 7, 1965 in Boston, Massachusetts. Parilli played for the Patriots from 1961-67. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - DECEMBER 4, 1966: Jim Nance #35 of the Boston Patriots carries the ball during an American Football League game against the Buffalo Bills on December 4, 1966 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Herb Scharfman/Sports Imagery/Getty Images)
Tommy Funchess (73) of the Boston Patriots closes in on New York Jets' John Sample (24) after he recovered a fumble by Patriots R.C. Gamble in first half action in Birmingham on Sept. 22, 1968. The Jets managed a field goal as a result of the fumble. (AP Photo/Charles Kelly)
New York Jets Emerson Boozer (32) during a game against the Boston Patriots on October 26,1969 at Shea Stadium in Flushing, New York. The New York Jets beat the Boston Patriots 23-17. Emerson Boozer played for 10 season all with the Jets and was a 2-time Pro BowlerNew York Jets Emerson Boozer (32) and Boston Patriots John Charles (25) during a game against the Boston Patriots on October 26,1969 at Shea Stadium in Flushing, New York. The New York Jets beat the Boston Patriots 23-17. Emerson Boozer played for 10 season all with the Jets and was a 2-time Pro Bowler.(David Durochik via AP)
Bubba Smith, defensive end of Baltimore Colts, stops Carl Garrett (30) running back of Boston Patriots, with a two-yard gain as the Colts scored a 27-3 victory in Baltimore, Oct. 26, 1970. A tough Baltimore defense held the Patriots to 45 yards on the ground and minus-65 yards in the air with four pass interceptions. (AP Photo/William Smith)
This is an aerial view of Foxboro Stadium, home of NFL's New England Patriots, seen in 1971, the year it opened in Foxboro, Mass. The stadium was built for only $6.7 million. (AP Photo)
Hall of Fame wide receiver Charley Taylor (42) of the Washington Redskins makes a catch in a 24 to 23 Redskins loss to the New England Patriots on Oct. 1, 1972 at Schaeffer Stadium in Foxboro, Mass. (Pro Football Hall of Fame via AP Images)
New England Patriots defensive end Donnell Smith (65), safety Ralph Anderson (49), linebacker Bob Geddes, and defensive end Mel Lunsford stop Green Bay Packers running back John Brockington (42) during an NFL game, Nov. 18, 1973. The Patriots defeated the Packers 33-24 at Schaefer Stadium. (AP Photo/Vernon Biever)
Minnesota Vikings running back Dave Osborn (41) is wrapped up by New England Patriots defensive end Sam Adams (85) during an NFL game, Oct. 27, 1974. The Patriots defeated the Vikings 17-14 at Metropolitan Stadium. (AP Photo/Vernon Biever)
Miami DolphinsÂ’ quarterback Earl Morrall was injured on this play while being tackled by New England PatriotsÂ’ linebacker Steve Zabel during game in Miami, Fla., Monday, Dec. 2, 1975. Morrall suffered ligament damage to his left knee. (AP Photo)
Quarterback Ken Stabler of the Oakland Raiders dives into the end zone for the winning touchdown against the New England Patriot?s in Saturday?s Playoff Game in Oakland on Dec. 18, 1976. Stabler rolled around left end for a yard and the touchdown to give the Raiders their win. (AP Photo)
Wide receiver Darryl Stingley (84) of the New England Patriots makes a catch in a 14 - 10 loss to the Miami Dolphins on December 11,1977 at Foxboro Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (AP Photo / Al Messerschmidt)
New England Patriots Don Calhoun (44) during a game from his 1978 season with the New England Patriots, Don Calhoun played for 10 seasons with 3 different teams.(David Durochik via AP)
23 SEPTEMBER 1979. New England Patriot Tight End Russ Francis (81) who played for the Patriots from 1975 thru 1980 and 1987-88 and also for the forty-niners from 82-87 with a catch in Foxboro during a 27 to 21 win over the Chargers. Also seen are Willie Buchanon (29) and Glen Edwards (27). (Icon Sportswire via AP Images)
Circa 1980. Ron Erhardt former Offensive Coordinator and head coach of the New England Patriots 1978 thru 1981 is carried off the field at the close of the 1980 season. (Icon Sportswire via AP Images)
Miami Dolphin cornerback Don McNeal's perfectly timed reach-in prevents New England Patriot receiver Stanley Morgan from making a reception, at Miami on November 30, 1981. (AP Photo / Al Messerschmidt)
New England Patriots fans swarm the field at Schaefer Stadium in Foxboro, mass., Jan. 2, 1983, and tear the goal post down after the Patriots defeated the Buffalo Bills 30-19. (AP Photo/Paul Benoit)
FILE New England Patriots linebacker Andre Tippett, right, reaches out to haul down Seattle Seahawks quarterback Dave Kriege during a football game in this Sept. 16, 1984 file photo in Foxboro, Mass. Tippett was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame Saturday Feb. 2, 2008. (AP Photo/Mike Kullen,File)
New England Patriots running back Craig James carries the football on a 2-yard touchdown run during the Patriots 27-20 victory over the Los Angeles Raiders in the 1985 AFC Divisional Playoff Game on January 5, 1986 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in 1985 AFC Divisional Playoff Game - New England Patriots vs Los Angeles Raiders - January 5, 1986 (AP Photo/NFL Photos)
New England Patriots Stanley Morgan catches Bengals Lewis Billups in the face mask during action at Sullivan Stadium in Foxboro, Mass., Dec. 8, 1986. The Bengals dropped the Pats 31-7. (AP Photo/Mike Kullen)
New England Patriots' quarterback Doug Flutie (2) on the move as he looks for a receiver during the first quarter of the NFL game at Houston, Oct. 18, 1987. Houston Oilers' Doug Smith (99) tried for a sack but missed. Flutie completed the pass for 12 yards. (AP Photo/Ed Kolenovsky)
Seattle Seahawks linebackers Bruce Schultz (58) and Tony Woods (57) and nose tackle Joe Nash (72) team up to stop New England Patriots fullback Bob Perryman (34) during an NFL game in Foxboro, Mass., Dec. 4, 1988. The Patriots defeated the Seahawks 13-7. (AP Photo/Damian Strohmeyer)
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jerry Rice, left, gets the ball over the goal line before he is knocked out of bounds by New England Patriots strong safety Roland James (38) during second quarter action on Sunday, Oct. 22, 1989 at Stanford Stadium. The play was ruled a touchdown for the 49ers who went on to defeat the Patriots, 37-20. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)
New England Patriots Ed Reynolds tries to strip the ball from New York Jets Mark Boyer in the first quarter at Foxboro Stadium in Mass., Sept. 30, 1990. (AP Photo/Jim Cole)
24 NOVEMBER 1991. New England Patriot Hall of Fame Linebacker Andre Tippett (56). Tippet is shown here with Marion Hobby (60), Fred Smerlas (76), Chris Singleton (55) during a win over the Buffalo Bills in Foxboro. Tippett played for the Patriots from 1982 to 1993. (Icon Sportswire via AP Images)
8 NOVEMBER 1992. New England Patriot Wide Receiver Irving Fryar (80) (1984 - 1992) is seen here on the run in a game in Foxboro vs. the Saints. (Icon Sportswire via AP Images)
New England Patriots tight end Ben Coates (87) catches a pass for a first down as Jarvis Williams of the Miami Dolphins defends in first quarter action at Joe Robbie Stadium in Miami, Florida, on Sunday, Nov. 21, 1993. Also pictured is Brian Cox (51) of the Dolphins. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Boan)
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, right, high-fives the fans prior to the start of the Patriots game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Dec. 11, 1994, at Foxboro Stadium in Foxboro, Mass. Kraft owns both the stadium and the team itself. He will watch from his private box on Sunday, Nov. 17, 1996 as the Patriots take on the Denver Broncos and their league-best 9-1 record, but his heart will be with the screamers in Section 217 and elsewhere.(AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
New England Patriots running back Curtis Martin, left, dodges Carolina Panthers linebacker Lamar Lathon during the second quarter at Foxboro Stadium in Foxboro, Mass., Sunday, Oct. 29, 1995. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
The PittSuper Bowlurgh Steelers huddle during the 1996 AFC Divisional Playoff Game January 5, 1997 at Foxboro Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. The New England Patriots won 28 - 3. (AP Photo / Al Messerschmidt)
New England Patriots wide receiver Shawn Jefferson (84) eyes a Drew Bledsoe pass as Mami Dolphins defensive back Sam Madison (29) moves in to break it up during fourth quarter action of their AFC wildcard playoff game at Foxboro Stadium in Foxboro, Mass., Sunday afternoon Dec. 28, 1997. The Patriots defeated the Dolphins 17-3. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots Drew Bledsoe (11) during a game from his 1998 season with the New England Patriots. Drew Bledsoe played for 14 years with 3 different teams and was a 4-time Pro Bowler.(David Durochik via AP)
New England Patriots receiver Terry Glenn (88) runs past Denver Broncos safety Tyrone Braxton (34) during the second quarter of New England's 24-23 win at Foxboro Stadium in Foxboro, Mass. Sunday, Oct. 24, 1999. (AP Photo/Jim Rogash)
Newly-hired New England Patriots' head coach Bill Belichick, left, shakes hands with Patriots' owner Robert Kraft, seconds before the start of a news conference at Foxboro Stadium in Foxboro, Mass., held to announce Belichick's hiring Thursday, Jan. 27, 2000. Belichick was hired Thursday after New England gave the New York Jets a first-round draft pick to let the former defensive coordinator out of his contract. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
FILE New England Patriots' kicker Adam Vinatieri celebrates his 48-yard game-winning field goal in the final seconds of Super Bowl XXXVI against the St. Louis Rams, in this Feb. 3, 2002 file photo, in New Orleans, as teammate Ken Walters looks on left. Vinatieri, a free agent, agreed in principle to a deal with Indianapolis, a person close to the Colts said late Tuesday, March 21, 2006. (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta, File)
Fireworks explode over Gillette Stadium during ceremonies commemorating the opening of the new stadium as well as celebrating the New England Patriots as Super Bowl Champions for 2001, in Foxboro, Mass., Monday, Sept. 9, 2002, before the start of the Patriots game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, right, celebrates with the Vince Lombardi trophy after defeating the Carolina Panthers 32-29 to win Super Bowl XXXVIII in Houston, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2004. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)
New England Patriots Rodney Harrison leaps in the air on an attempted interception during the NFL Super Bowl XXXIX football game against the Philadelphia Eagles in Jacksonville, Florida on February 6, 2005. The Patriots won 24-21. (AP Photo/G. Newman Lowrance)
FILE New England Patriots linebacker Willie McGinest (55) sacks Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Byron Leftwich during the fourth quarter of their wild card playoff football game in Foxborough, Mass., in this Jan. 7, 2006 photo. The Patriots announced Thursday, March 9, 2006, they have released McGinest in a salary cap move, ending a 12-year relationship with the NFL's all-time postseason sack leader. (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia, File)
New England Patriots cornerback Ellis Hobbs, top, breaks up a pass to San Diego Chargers wide receiver Eric Parker in the first quarter of their AFC Divisional football playoff game in San Diego Sunday, Jan. 14, 2007. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)
New England Patriots linebacker Rob Ninkovich (50) hauls down Tennessee Titans quarterback Vince Young (10) during the fourth quarter of their 59-0 win in a NFL football game at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. Sunday, Oct. 18, 2009. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
FILE - In this Feb. 1, 2015, file photo, New England Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler (21) intercepts a pass intended for Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Ricardo Lockette (83) during the second half of the Super Bowl NFL football game, in Glendale, Ariz. The Seahawks' loss in the game to the late interception was among the top stories in the state in 2015. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens, File)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) drops back to pass as light comes into AT&T Stadium during the NFL regular season game against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, Oct. 11, 2015 in Arlington, Texas. The Patriots won, 30-6. (Ric Tapia via AP)
