New England Patriots facts for kids

Quick facts for kids New England Patriots
Current season
Logo Wordmark Uniforms
Basic info
Established	November 16, 1959; 66 years ago (November 16, 1959)
Stadium	Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts
Headquartered	Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts
Colors	Nautical blue, red, new century silver, white
Fight song	"Crazy Train" "This Is Our House" "I'm Shipping Up to Boston"
Mascot	Pat Patriot
Personnel
Owner(s)	Kraft Group Robert Kraft, Chairman
CEO	Robert Kraft
President	Jonathan Kraft
General manager	Eliot Wolf
Head coach	Mike Vrabel
Nicknames
The Pats The Evil Empire The Boston TE Party (tight ends; 2010–2012) The Boogeymen (Linebackers; 2019)
Team history
Boston Patriots (1960–1970) New England Patriots (1971–present)
Home fields
Boston University Field (1960–1962) Fenway Park (1963–1968) Alumni Stadium (1969) Harvard Stadium (1970) Foxboro Stadium (1971–2001) Gillette Stadium (2002–present)
League / conference affiliations
American Football League (1960–1969) Eastern Division (1960–1969) National Football League (1970–present) American Football Conference (1970–present) AFC East (1970–present)
Championships
League championships: 6 Super Bowl championships: 6 2001 (XXXVI), 2003 (XXXVIII), 2004 (XXXIX), 2014 (XLIX), 2016 (LI), 2018 (LIII)
Conference championships: 12 AFC: 1985, 1996, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2011, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2025
Division championships: 23 AFL East: 1963 AFC East: 1978, 1986, 1996, 1997, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2025
Playoff appearances (29)
AFL: 1963 NFL: 1976, 1978, 1982, 1985, 1986, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2025
Owner(s)
Billy Sullivan (1959–1988) Victor Kiam (1988–1992) James Orthwein (1992–1994) Robert Kraft (1994–present)

The New England Patriots are a famous professional American football team from the Boston area. They play in the National Football League (NFL) as part of the American Football Conference (AFC) East division. Their home games are played at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, a town near Boston. The Patriots are one of the most valuable sports teams in the world. They have sold out every home game since 1994!

The team started in 1959 as the Boston Patriots. They were a founding member of the American Football League (AFL). They joined the NFL in 1970. The team moved to Foxborough in 1971 and changed its name to the New England Patriots. Robert Kraft bought the team in 1994. He also owned their stadium, Foxboro Stadium, which was replaced by Gillette Stadium in 2002.

For many years, the team had mixed results. But everything changed in the 2001 season. With coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady, the Patriots became a dominant force. This period, known as the Brady–Belichick era, is one of the greatest in sports history. The Patriots won many Super Bowl records during this time. They hold the record for most Super Bowl wins (6, tied with the Pittsburgh Steelers). They also have the most Super Bowl appearances (12).

The Patriots also hold other NFL records. These include most wins in a 10-year period (126 from 2003 to 2012). They had the longest winning streak (21 games from 2003 to 2004). They also had 19 consecutive winning seasons (2001 to 2019). They are the only team to have an undefeated 16-game regular season (2007). The Patriots have 40 postseason victories, tied with the San Francisco 49ers.

Team History

Early Years in the AFL (1959–1970)

Billy Sullivan helped bring professional football back to Massachusetts.

The Patriots' name honors the colonists who fought for freedom in the American Revolutionary War.

On November 16, 1959, a Boston businessman named Billy Sullivan started the eighth and final team in the new American Football League (AFL). People in Boston suggested names for the team. The most popular choice was the "Boston Patriots." This name honored the colonists who fought for independence during the American Revolution. These colonists were called "Patriots." Soon after, artist Phil Bissell created the famous "Pat Patriot" logo.

The Patriots did not have one main home stadium in the AFL. They played games at different places around Boston. These included Boston University Field, Harvard Stadium, Fenway Park, and Boston College's Alumni Stadium. In the 1963 season, the team won its first playoff game. They then played in the AFL championship game. However, they lost to the San Diego Chargers with a score of 51–10. The team did not reach the playoffs again for 13 years.

Joining the NFL and New Home (1970–2000)

When the NFL and AFL joined together in 1970, the Patriots became part of the American Football Conference (AFC) East division. They still play in this division today. The next year, the Patriots moved to a new stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. This stadium was their home for the next 30 years. They wanted to call themselves the "Bay State Patriots," but the NFL said no. So, on March 22, 1971, they became the New England Patriots.

In the 1970s, the Patriots had some good seasons with coach Chuck Fairbanks. They made it to the playoffs in 1976 and 1978. But they lost in the first round both times.

The next coach, Ron Meyer, led the team to the playoffs in 1982. That season, during a snowy home game against the Miami Dolphins, the score was 0–0 in the fourth quarter. Coach Meyer asked a snowplow operator to clear a spot for their kicker, John Smith. Smith then kicked a 33-yard field goal, winning the game 3–0. The league later banned using snowplows on the field during games. The Patriots remember this unique game with an exhibit at their Hall of Fame.

Coach Meyer left in 1984. Raymond Berry took over and led the team to their first AFC Championship in 1985. They reached Super Bowl XX but lost to the Chicago Bears 46–10. After a tough 1989 season, Berry left. His replacement, Rod Rust, coached for only one season in 1990, with the team winning just one game.

Changes in Ownership

In the late 1980s and early 1990s, the Patriots had several owners. Billy Sullivan sold the team in 1988. It was sold again twice. In 1992, James Orthwein became the owner. He hired Bill Parcells as coach in 1993. Orthwein also changed the team's colors from red, white, and blue to blue and silver. He wanted to move the team to St. Louis. But Robert Kraft, who owned the Patriots' stadium, Foxboro Stadium, refused to let them move.

So, in 1994, Robert Kraft bought the team for $175 million. Kraft was a lifelong fan. He wanted to keep the team in New England. Under Kraft's ownership, Coach Parcells led the Patriots to the playoffs twice. They reached Super Bowl XXXI in 1996 but lost to the Green Bay Packers 35–21. Pete Carroll became the next coach and also led the team to the playoffs in 1997 and 1998. He left after the 1999 season.

The Brady–Belichick Era (2000–2019)

From 2001 to 2019, quarterback Tom Brady and head coach Bill Belichick led the Patriots to nine Super Bowl appearances, winning six.

Tight end Rob Gronkowski, nicknamed "Gronk."

In 2000, the Patriots hired Bill Belichick as head coach. Their new home, Gillette Stadium, opened in 2002. In the 2001 season, starting quarterback Drew Bledsoe was injured. Backup quarterback Tom Brady, who was drafted in 2000, stepped in. Brady played so well that he became the permanent starter. He remained the team's quarterback for 18 years.

Under Belichick and Brady, the Patriots became incredibly successful. Many called this period a "dynasty." They won three Super Bowls in four seasons: 2001, 2003, and 2004. They defeated the St. Louis Rams, Carolina Panthers, and Philadelphia Eagles. In 2005 and 2006, they continued to win their division and made it to the playoffs.

An Almost Perfect Season

The Patriots had an amazing 2007 regular season. They finished with a perfect 16–0 record. They were only the fourth team in NFL history to go undefeated in the regular season. They were the first to do it in a 16-game season. They reached Super Bowl XLII, their fourth Super Bowl in seven years. However, they were upset by the Giants, ending their dream of a perfect 19–0 season. They finished the year with an 18–1 record.

During that season, the team faced a league investigation. The Patriots were disciplined for breaking rules about where coaches could film opponents' signals. The NFL fined Coach Belichick $500,000 and the team $250,000. They also lost a first-round draft pick in 2008.

Playoff Challenges and More Wins

In 2008, Tom Brady was injured in the first game. The team still finished 11–5 but missed the playoffs. Brady returned in 2009, leading the team to a division title. But they lost in the first round of the playoffs. In 2010, the Patriots had a 14–2 record and won their division. However, they lost in the Divisional Round.

The Patriots returned to the Super Bowl in 2011 but lost again to the Giants. In 2012 and 2013, they won their division and made deep playoff runs, reaching the AFC Championship Game both years.

Tom Brady celebrated a dramatic comeback victory in Super Bowl LI.

In 2014, the Patriots won their division again. They defeated the Baltimore Ravens and Indianapolis Colts in the playoffs. Before Super Bowl XLIX, there were questions about the air pressure in the footballs used by the Patriots. This led to a league investigation and penalties.

Despite this, the Patriots reached a record-tying eighth Super Bowl in 2014. They defeated the Seattle Seahawks 28–24 to win Super Bowl XLIX. Rookie cornerback Malcolm Butler made a game-winning interception in the final seconds. In 2015, they won their division but lost in the AFC Championship.

New England made it to nine Super Bowls in the 2016–17 playoffs. They faced the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl LI. The Patriots were losing 28–3 in the third quarter. But they made an incredible comeback, scoring 25 points to tie the game. In the first-ever Super Bowl overtime, the Patriots won their fifth Super Bowl.

The Patriots reached their tenth Super Bowl in the 2017–18 playoffs but lost to the Philadelphia Eagles. They returned for a third straight Super Bowl in Super Bowl LIII. They defeated the Los Angeles Rams 13–3, winning their sixth Super Bowl. This tied them with the Pittsburgh Steelers for the most Super Bowl victories in NFL history.

Post-Brady Era (2019–Present)

After a tough 2019 season, Tom Brady left the Patriots after 20 seasons. He signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. To replace him, the Patriots signed veteran quarterback Cam Newton. In 2020, the team missed the playoffs with their first losing record in two decades (7–9).

The team drafted Mac Jones in the first round of the 2021 NFL draft. Newton was released, and Jones became the starting quarterback. Jones led the team to their first playoff spot without Brady since 1998. However, they lost to the Buffalo Bills in the Wild Card round. The Patriots finished with an 8–9 record and missed the postseason in the 2022 season.

After a difficult 4–13 record in the 2023 season, the Patriots and Bill Belichick decided to part ways. This ended his 24 years as head coach on January 11, 2024. The next day, the Patriots promoted Jerod Mayo to head coach and Eliot Wolf to general manager.

Mac Jones was traded in the 2024 offseason. The team then selected Drake Maye third overall in the 2024 NFL draft. This was the Patriots' highest draft pick in 31 years. After repeating a 4–13 record in 2024, Jerod Mayo was dismissed as head coach. Mike Vrabel was named head coach.

The Patriots picked fourth in the 2025 NFL draft. This was their first time having back-to-back top 5 picks since 1993 and 1994. The Patriots finished the 2025 season with a 14–3 record. They won the AFC East for the first time since 2019. They won their playoff games and reached Super Bowl LX, their first Super Bowl appearance since Brady left.

Team Logos and Uniforms

Primary Logos

• 

  The Patriots' first main logo (1961–1992), known as "Pat Patriot." It's now a secondary logo.
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  The Patriots' main logo since 1993, called the "Flying Elvis." The blue color was darkened in 2000.

The Patriots' helmet since 2000, featuring the "Flying Elvis" logo.

The Patriots' first helmet logo in 1960 was a simple three-cornered hat. From 1961 to 1992, they used a logo of a Revolutionary War soldier kicking a football. This soldier logo became known as "Pat Patriot," which is also the name of the team's mascot.

In 1993, a new logo was introduced. It showed the gray face of a soldier wearing a red, white, and blue hat. This hat looked like it was flying. People started calling it the "Flying Elvis" because it reminded them of a young Elvis Presley. In 2000, the blue color in the "Flying Elvis" logo was changed to a darker shade.

On July 3, 2013, the Patriots updated their wordmark logo. It now uses modern block letters. The "Flying Elvis" logo was placed underneath the wordmark.

• 

  The Patriots' wordmark from 1960 to 1992.
• 

  The Patriots' wordmark from 1993 to 2013. The blue was darkened in 2000.

Team Uniforms

1960–1992 Uniforms

The uniforms worn by the Patriots from 1960 to 1992.

The Patriots' uniforms stayed mostly the same from their first season until 1993. They wore red jerseys with white numbers at home. For away games, they wore white jerseys with red numbers. Both uniforms had white pants and white helmets with the "Pat Patriot" logo. Blue stripes were added to the helmet in 1964. The numbers on the jerseys got a blue outline in 1973. The team sometimes wore red pants with their white jerseys.

1993–1999 Uniforms

The uniforms worn by the Patriots from 1995 to 1999.

Before the 1993 season, the Patriots completely changed their look. They introduced the "Flying Elvis" logo. The new uniforms had royal blue home jerseys and white away jerseys. The helmet was silver with the "Flying Elvis" logo. Both uniforms used silver pants. The numbers on the home jerseys changed from red to white with a red outline. In 1995, the numbers became more rounded. The "Flying Elvis" logos moved from the sleeves to the shoulders.

2000–2019 Uniforms

The primary uniforms worn by the Patriots from 2000 to 2019.

In 2000, the Patriots switched back to block numbers. The blue color changed from royal to a darker nautical blue. The numbers were on the shoulders again, and the logo moved back to the sleeves. Silver stripes were added to the home jersey. Blue pants were introduced for away games to create a better contrast. The numbers on the white jersey changed from red to blue.

The Patriots sometimes wore an all-blue uniform in 2002. They did not wear an all-blue set again until 2016. In 2011, the Patriots wore patches with 'MHK' on their uniforms. This honored Myra Kraft, the late wife of owner Robert Kraft.

2020–Present Uniforms

The primary uniforms worn by the Patriots from 2020 to the present. Silver pants were introduced in 2024, and white pants in 2025.

In 2020, the Patriots updated their uniforms again. Their all-blue "Color Rush" design became the main home uniform. A matching white uniform was also introduced, paired with blue pants. Both uniforms had shoulder stripes that looked like the old "Pat Patriot" uniforms. These new jerseys arrived just as Tom Brady left the team.

The Patriots brought back silver pants in a 2022 home game. These new silver pants had thicker red stripes. In a 2024 road game, the Patriots wore their silver pants with the white away uniform for the first time since 1999. After winning several games in this combination, the silver pants became a full-time option for both home and away uniforms.

For a 2025 road game, the Patriots brought back white pants. They wore them with the white away uniform. The Patriots had not worn an all-white uniform since 2017. After a successful run with the white-over-white look, the Patriots chose to wear this combination in Super Bowl LX.

Alternate Uniforms

In 1994, the Patriots wore their old "Pat Patriot" helmets and white striped pants as alternate uniforms. This was part of the NFL's 75th-anniversary celebration. In 2002, the Patriots brought back a red jersey as an alternate. It was worn with the old-style "Pat Patriot" helmet. In 2003, they changed their alternate to a silver jersey with blue pants. This uniform used the "Flying Elvis" helmet. These silver uniforms were used until 2007.

The red alternate uniform returned in 2009, again with the "Pat Patriot" helmet. An alternate white road jersey was also worn for one game. This honored the 50th anniversary of the AFL. The red alternate uniform was used until 2012. The Patriots stopped using their alternate red uniforms in 2013 because of a new NFL rule. This rule said teams could only use one helmet shell. However, the NFL allowed alternate helmets again in 2022, and the Patriots brought back the throwback red uniforms.

In 2016, the Patriots wore monochrome navy uniforms as part of the NFL's Color Rush program. These uniforms were the basis for the team's current primary uniforms. In 2017, an all-white Color Rush uniform was also introduced.

In 2025, the Patriots revealed a "Rivalries" uniform called the "Nor'easter." It has a storm blue base with white and navy shoulder stripes. It features italicized white numbers and a new "NE" logo on the sleeves. Six red stars on the neckline represent New England's six states. This uniform is worn with white pants and helmets.

Team Facilities

Stadium and Headquarters

The Super Bowl banners for the Patriots' first three league championships at Gillette Stadium.

CB Malcolm Butler made a game-winning interception in Super Bowl XLIX.

Since 2002, the Patriots' home stadium has been Gillette Stadium. It is located in Foxborough, Massachusetts. This $350 million facility was paid for by Robert Kraft. It holds the team's practice areas, offices, and the Kraft-owned Major League Soccer team, the New England Revolution. The field's grass was replaced with a special turf surface in 2006. In 2023, the Patriots installed a new, very large video board. Gillette Stadium has hosted many playoff games. The Patriots had a 21–4 playoff record in this stadium after the 2025 NFL season. The area around the stadium has also been developed into a shopping and entertainment center called Patriot Place.

From 1971 to 2002, the Patriots played in Foxboro Stadium. The last game there was a 16–13 overtime win in 2001. This game was famous for a snowstorm and a special "tuck rule" call. Before that, the Boston Patriots played at several fields in and around Boston.

Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts, was the home stadium of the Patriots from 1963 to 1968.

An aerial view of Foxboro Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, where the Patriots played from 1971 to 2001.

The field of Gillette Stadium, the Patriots' home stadium since 2002.

Stadium History

Training Camp and Practice

Patriots players during training camp in 2009.

From 1976 to 2002, the team held training camp at Bryant College in Smithfield, Rhode Island. Before that, they trained at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and Phillips Academy.

Team Aircraft

One of the two Patriots' 767s at Logan International Airport in 2020.

In 2017, the Patriots bought two Boeing 767-300ER planes for the team. This made them the first NFL team to own their own planes. These planes are sometimes called "AirKrafts," after owner Robert Kraft. In 2018, Kraft lent one of the planes to transport students to a demonstration in Washington, D.C. Since February 2024, Omni Air International operates the planes.

Team Rivalries

The Patriots have strong rivalries with other teams in their division. These include the Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, and New York Jets. They have played against these teams many times. Outside their division, the Patriots also have rivalries with the Indianapolis Colts, the Baltimore Ravens, and the Pittsburgh Steelers. They also had a rivalry with the New York Giants.

Team Strategy and Influence

LB Willie McGinest (left), LB Tedy Bruschi (middle), and LB Mike Vrabel (right) helped define the "Patriot Way" from 2001 to 2019.

Under head coach Bill Belichick, the Patriots used special strategies. Their defense often used a "3–4" system. This system was developed in New England in the 1970s. Many other coaches later used similar ideas.

Belichick's coaching philosophy focused on the "team" concept. It emphasized hard work, being prepared, and players being able to play different positions. It also stressed that no single player was more important than the team. This team culture was called the "Patriot Way." It included:

• A very careful and focused approach to the game.
• An emphasis on teamwork and treating all players equally.
• Strong work ethic and high levels of preparation for every game.
• Players who could play multiple positions.
• Different game plans to take advantage of opponents' weaknesses.

Championship Wins

Super Bowl Championships

The New England Patriots have won six Super Bowls. This is the NFL's league championship. They are tied with the Pittsburgh Steelers for the most Super Bowl wins ever. The team won back-to-back championships in 2003 and 2004. They are one of only eight NFL teams to do this. Between 2001 and 2004, the Patriots won three Super Bowls in four years.

AFC Championships

The Patriots have won twelve AFC Championships. This is the most conference championships in NFL history.

Division Championships

The Patriots have won 23 division championships. This is the second-most all-time, behind the Pittsburgh Steelers and Dallas Cowboys. One title was in the AFL East (1963). The rest were in the AFC East of the NFL.

Team Statistics, Records, and Awards

Season-by-Season Results

This is a partial list of the Patriots' last five completed seasons. Note: The finish, wins, losses, and ties columns list regular season results and exclude any postseason play.

As of January 14,  2026 (2026 -01-14)^[update]

All-Time Leaders

Widely regarded as the greatest quarterback of all time, Tom Brady is the longest tenured and most decorated player in franchise history.

Individual Awards

Patriots players have won many league awards. These include the NFL's Most Valuable Player and Super Bowl MVP. Seasons where AFL awards were won (1960–1969) are noted. Bold names mean they are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Players of Note

Current Roster

Hall of Fame G John Hannah.

Hall of Fame CB Ty Law (pictured with Denver Broncos).

Hall of Fame DE Richard Seymour.

Hall of Fame LB Andre Tippett.

Hall of Fame K Adam Vinatieri.

Pro Football Hall of Famers

The Pro Football Hall of Fame has honored many players who played for the Patriots. Six players made their biggest contributions while with the Patriots. In total, 13 people (12 players and one coach) with Patriots ties are in the Hall of Fame.

Notes:

• Hall of Famers who made a major part of their primary contribution for the Patriots are listed in bold.
• Hall of Famers who spent only a minor portion of their career with the Patriots are listed in normal font.

Retired Numbers

Tom Brady's #12 jersey displayed at the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Patriots Hall of Fame

The Patriots Hall of Fame honors important people in the team's history. It was started in 1991. The Hall of Fame building opened in 2008 at Patriot Place. It has many items like game-worn gear, trophies, and interactive exhibits. Fans can vote for new members. Players and head coaches must be retired for at least four years to be eligible. A special committee can also vote in older players. The team owner, Robert Kraft, can also induct "contributors" like assistant coaches or broadcasters.

Notes:

• ^* = Inducted as a contributor
• ^~ = Inducted as a senior selection
• ^† = Posthumous induction

NFL All-Decade and Anniversary Team Selections

Tom Brady, John Hannah, and Bill Belichick were named to multiple NFL all-decade teams. They were also selected for the National Football League 100th Anniversary All-Time Team. Hannah was also on the National Football League 75th Anniversary All-Time Team.

Patriots players have been named to special NFL teams that honor the best players of different decades. Bold names mean they are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Patriots Anniversary and All-Decade Teams

Pro Bowl Selections

Special teams gunner Matthew Slater holds the most Pro Bowl selections among special teams player in NFL history: 10.

Two Patriots have been named Pro Bowl MVP: Vito "Babe" Parilli in 1966 (AFL) and Ty Law in 1998. Three Patriots coaches have led Pro Bowl teams: Mike Holovak (1963, 1966 AFL), Chuck Fairbanks (1978), and Bill Belichick (2006, 2010).

• QB Tom Brady (14), Drew Bledsoe, Vito "Babe" Parilli (3) (AFL), Drake Maye (2), Mac Jones, Mike Taliaferro
• FB Larry Garron (4) (AFL), Jim Nance (2) (AFL), Sam Cunningham, James Develin
• HB Curtis Martin (2), Tony Collins, Corey Dillon, John Stephens, Craig James, Carl Garrett (AFL)
• LT Bruce Armstrong (6), Matt Light, Brian Holloway (3), Leon Gray (2), Don Oakes (AFL)
• LG John Hannah (9), Logan Mankins (6), Charley Long (2) (AFL), Charley Leo (AFL)
• C Jon Morris (7) (AFL), Damien Woody, Dan Koppen
• RG Billy Neighbors (AFL), Len St. Jean (AFL), Brian Waters
• RT Tom Neville (AFL), Dick Klein (AFL)
• TE Rob Gronkowski, Ben Coates (5), Russ Francis (3), Marv Cook (2)
• WR Wes Welker, Gino Cappelletti (5) (AFL), Stanley Morgan (4), Randy Moss, Troy Brown, Terry Glenn, Irving Fryar, Ron Sellers (AFL), Jim Colclough (AFL)
• DE Richard Seymour (5), Bob Dee (4) (AFL), Larry Eisenhauer (4) (AFL), Julius Adams, Andre Carter, Chandler Jones
• DT Houston Antwine (6) (AFL), Vince Wilfork (5), Jim Lee Hunt (4) (AFL)
• LB Andre Tippett, Nick Buoniconti (5) (AFL), Tom Addison (4) (AFL), Steve Nelson (3), Johnny Rembert, Willie McGinest, Jerod Mayo, Dont'a Hightower, Matthew Judon (2), Chris Slade, Tedy Bruschi, Mike Vrabel, Jamie Collins
• CB Mike Haynes (6), Ty Law (4), Stephon Gilmore (3), Dick Felt (AFL), Chuck Shonta (AFL), Leroy Mitchell (AFL), Asante Samuel, Devin McCourty, Aqib Talib, Darrelle Revis, Malcolm Butler, J. C. Jackson, Christian Gonzalez
• SS Lawyer Milloy (4), Fred Bruney (2) (AFL), Ron Hall (AFL),
• FS Brandon Meriweather (2), Don Webb (AFL), Fred Marion, Devin McCourty
• PK Stephen Gostkowski (4), Adam Vinatieri (2), John Smith, Tony Franklin
• P Rich Camarillo, Jake Bailey
• ST Matthew Slater (10), Raymond Clayborn (3), Larry Izzo (2), Mosi Tatupu, Dave Meggett, Brenden Schooler

First-Team All-Pro Selections

CB Stephon Gilmore, a two-time First-team All-Pro and the franchise's first NFL DPOY recipient in 2019.

These Patriots players have been named to the first-team All-Pro list. This means they were considered the best at their position in the league.

• QB Tom Brady (3), Vito "Babe" Parilli (AFL)
• FB Jim Nance (AFL) (2)
• LT Leon Gray (3), Matt Light
• LG John Hannah (7), Logan Mankins
• C Jon Morris (AFL)
• RG Billy Neighbors (AFL)
• TE Rob Gronkowski (4), Ben Coates (2), Marv Cook, Jim Whalen (AFL)
• WR Wes Welker (2), Randy Moss
• DE Richard Seymour, Larry Eisenhauer (AFL) (3)
• DT Houston Antwine (AFL), Vince Wilfork
• LB Nick Buoniconti (4) (AFL), Andre Tippett (2), Tom Addison (AFL), Mike Vrabel, Jerod Mayo
• CB Ty Law, Stephon Gilmore (2), Asante Samuel, Darrelle Revis
• SS Ron Hall (AFL), Lawyer Milloy, Rodney Harrison
• PK Adam Vinatieri, Stephen Gostkowski (2)
• P Jake Bailey
• ST Matthew Slater (2), Gunner Olszewski, Marcus Jones, Brenden Schooler

All-Time First-Round Draft Picks

Team Administration and Personnel

Robert Kraft, a native Bostonian and a Patriots fanatic before purchasing the team, bought the franchise in 1994.

Team Ownership

The Patriots have had four owners since the team started. The first owner was Billy Sullivan, from 1959 to 1988. During his time, the Patriots had some good seasons and made it to the Super Bowl once. However, some players felt he didn't pay them enough.

After Sullivan, Victor Kiam bought the team in 1988. He later sold it to James Orthwein in 1992. Orthwein hired Bill Parcells as head coach. He also drafted quarterback Drew Bledsoe, which helped the team improve. Orthwein wanted to move the team to St. Louis. But Robert Kraft, who owned the team's stadium, refused to let them move.

So, in 1994, Robert Kraft bought the Patriots for $175 million. Kraft was a huge fan and wanted the team to stay in New England. Under Kraft's ownership, the Patriots have become the most successful NFL team since 1994. They have appeared in ten Super Bowls and won six of them.

In September 2025, Robert Kraft agreed to sell small parts of the team to other investors. The Kraft family will still own most of the team.

Head Coaches

Bill Belichick, head coach from 2000 to 2023, led the Patriots to six Super Bowl titles.

The Patriots have had 16 head coaches. On January 12, 2025, the Patriots hired Mike Vrabel as their 16th head coach. He is the second coach to have also played for the team.

Bill Belichick was the head coach for 23 seasons (2000–2023). He is considered one of the greatest coaches of all time. He led the Patriots to 17 division titles, 13 AFC Championship Games, and nine Super Bowl appearances, winning six.

Belichick holds many NFL coaching records. He has the most playoff coaching wins (31) and is third in regular season wins (297). He is one of only three head coaches to win six NFL titles. He was named NFL Coach of the Year in 2003, 2007, and 2010.

Belichick joined the Patriots after a unique "trade" with the New York Jets. He had worked with Bill Parcells before. Parcells had helped the Patriots improve in the 1990s. Belichick eventually returned to New England, and the Patriots gave the Jets a first-round draft pick for him. In that same draft, the Patriots famously picked Tom Brady in the sixth round.

Before Belichick, other coaches like Mike Holovak, Raymond Berry, and Parcells also led the Patriots to championship games. Five Patriots head coaches have been named Coach of the Year. The first head coach was Lou Saban in 1960.

Note:

• ^* = Interim coach

Team Culture

Patriots fans celebrating a Super Bowl championship in front of Boston City Hall in 2003 (left). Patriots fans at a victory parade in Boston in 2017 (right).

Cheerleaders

The team's cheerleading squad performing a routine in 2007.

The Patriots have a professional cheerleading squad called the New England Patriots Cheerleaders. Famous former cheerleaders include wrestler Carmella and model Camille Kostek. The team's long-time cheerleading director, Tracy Sormanti, passed away in 2020 after a serious illness. She was inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame in 2021.

Mascots

The Patriots' official mascot since 1995 has been Pat Patriot. He is a Revolutionary War soldier wearing a Patriots jersey. He is based on the team's original logo.

The Patriots also have the End Zone Militia. This is a group of people who dress up as Revolutionary War soldiers. They stand at the ends of the field during home games. When the Patriots score, the militia fires loud blanks from their muskets. This is a fun tradition that fans love.

Fans

The team has many fans from the New England region of the United States. They also have fans in the Canadian province of Quebec and parts of Atlantic Canada.

Radio and Television

Map of New England Patriots radio affiliates.

The Patriots' main radio station is WBZ-FM (98.5 FM), also known as "The Sports Hub." The larger New England Patriots Radio Network has 37 stations across seven states. Gil Santos and Gino Cappelletti were the longtime announcers until 2012. Bob Socci replaced Santos. Former Patriots QB Scott Zolak joined the radio team in 2011 and became the color commentator in 2013.

Preseason games not shown nationally are on CBS station WBZ-TV. CBS also broadcasts most regular-season Patriots games. When the Patriots play an NFC team at home, the games are on Fox affiliate WFXT-TV. NBC Sunday Night Football games are on Boston NBC station WBTS-CD.

See also

In Spanish: New England Patriots para niños