New England Patriots

The New England Patriots are a National Football League team based in Foxboro, Massachusetts.

Founded: 1960, as a charter AFL member. Joined the NFL in the 1970 merger.

Formerly known as: Boston Patriots

Home stadium: Gillette Stadium[?] (2002-)

Former stadiums: Foxboro Stadium[?] (1971-2001)

Uniform colors: Blue, White, Red, and Silver

Helmet design: A man's face in silhouette, wearing a red-white-and-blue tricorn hat

Super Bowl Championships won (1): 2002

Super Bowl Appearances (3): XX (lost), XXXI (lost), XXXVI (won)

Franchise history

The Patriots have a long and storied history with several winning seasons and many more losing seasons. Under coach Raymond Berry[?] in 1986, they won the American Conference and made their first Super Bowl appearance. Under Bill Parcells[?], they won a second conference title in 1997 and played in a second Super Bowl.

In 2002, under coach Bill Belichick[?], the team surprised everyone by winning the AFC East division and upsetting the Pittsburgh Steelers in the conference championship to earn the right to appear in Super Bowl XXXVI. Then, capping a surprising season, they defeated the heavily-favored Saint Louis Rams to earn the franchise's first-ever NFL championship.

Players of note

Pro Football Hall of Famers[?]:

• Nick Buoniconti[?]
• John Hannah
• Mike Haynes[?]

Current stars:

• Tom Brady[?]
• Troy Brown[?]
• Adam Vinatieri[?]

Retired numbers:20: Gino Cappeletti, 73 John Hannah

Not to be forgotten:

• Julius Adams[?]
• Drew Bledsoe[?]
• Doug Flutie
• Steve Grogan[?]
• Jim Nance[?]
• Jim Plunkett[?]

New England Patriots official web site (http://www.patriots.com/home/default.sps)