An Original New England Patriots’ Player Passes Away
The New England Patriots is one of the most successful teams in the National Football League. They keep gaining success, and will probably keep receiving awesome awards. However, the team and the country were shocked by the latest information, and it includes a terrible loss. The Patriots lost one of their founding player. Tom Stephens.
Sources reveal that Tom Stephens, the original member of the New England Patriots, died last week on July 12. The brilliant player died in his home in Naples, Florida, at the age of 82.
The Patriots organization released a statement on the news, saying they are deeply saddened to learn about the terrible news. The team is in deep sorrow, and so is the entire country.
The Baltimore Colts first drafted Stephens in the 11th round of the 1959 NFL Draft. He made a different decision soon after that, and signed a contract with the Boston Patriots for the teams’ inaugural season in 1960.
Stephens was a two-way player. He had a major role, and played both as tight end and defensive back. He played nine games in the first year for a nice 5-9 Boston Patriots and managed to catch passes for 320 yard and three touchdowns.
If we go for the total number, Stephens played in 49 games for the Patriots and finished with amazing 41 catches for 320 yards and three touchdowns.
Stephens was also responsible of kick and punt return duties. He would have turned into a favorite of Bill Belichick if he played in the modern era.
The original player also attended Syracuse University, and served as a halfback. He also played on the school’s 1958 Orange Bowl team. After the end of his football career, Stephens was coaching at Harvard University. He also served as the Athletic Director at Curry College for 23 years.