Table of Contents
New England Patriots
Founding Year
The New England Patriots were established in 1959 as the Boston Patriots, part of the American Football League (AFL).1)
Name Change
The team changed its name to the New England Patriots in 1971 after relocating to Foxborough, Massachusetts.2)
Original Home Field
The Patriots originally played their home games at various stadiums in the Boston area, including Fenway Park.3)
Gillette Stadium
Since 2002, the Patriots have called Gillette Stadium in Foxborough home.4)
Most Super Bowl Appearances
The Patriots hold the record for most Super Bowl appearances, with 11 trips to the big game.5)
Six Super Bowl Titles
The Patriots have won six Super Bowl championships (2001, 2003, 2004, 2014, 2016, 2018), tied with the Pittsburgh Steelers for the second-most in NFL history.6)
First Super Bowl Victory
The Patriots won their first Super Bowl in 2001, defeating the St. Louis Rams in Super Bowl XXXVI.7)
Bill Belichick
Head coach Bill Belichick is widely considered one of the greatest coaches in NFL history, leading the team to six Super Bowl victories.8)
Tom Brady
Legendary quarterback Tom Brady led the Patriots to all six of their Super Bowl titles and is widely regarded as the greatest quarterback in NFL history.9)
The Brady-Belichick Era
The Brady-Belichick duo is the most successful coach-quarterback combination in NFL history.10)
First NFL Team to Go 16-0
In 2007, the Patriots became the first NFL team to complete a 16-0 regular season, though they lost in the Super Bowl to the New York Giants.11)
Tuck Rule Game
The Patriots’ 2001 playoff win against the Oakland Raiders, known as the “Tuck Rule Game,” is one of the most controversial games in NFL history.12)
"Do Your Job" Mantra
The team’s philosophy under Belichick has been “Do Your Job,” focusing on discipline and team play.13)
Dynasty of the 2000s
The Patriots dominated the 2000s and 2010s, winning three Super Bowls in four years (2001, 2003, 2004).14)
Patriots Hall of Fame
The Patriots have their own Hall of Fame located at Gillette Stadium to honor past players and contributors.15)
Pat Patriot
The team’s mascot, “Pat Patriot,” is a revolutionary soldier and has been a symbol of the franchise since the 1960s.16)
Red, White, and Blue
The Patriots’ team colors of red, white, and blue reflect the patriotic theme of the franchise.17)
Robert Kraft
Since 1994, Robert Kraft has been the owner of the Patriots, and his leadership is credited with transforming the franchise into a powerhouse.18)
Snow Bowl
The 2001 AFC Divisional playoff game against the Raiders, known for its heavy snowfall and the Tuck Rule, is legendary in NFL history.19)
Brady's Comeback
Tom Brady orchestrated the biggest Super Bowl comeback ever in Super Bowl LI, overcoming a 28-3 deficit to beat the Atlanta Falcons.20)
Deflategate
The Patriots were involved in a major controversy in 2015, known as “Deflategate,” where they were accused of deflating footballs in the AFC Championship Game.21)
Gronk
Tight end Rob Gronkowski, known as “Gronk,” is one of the most dominant and entertaining players in Patriots history.22)
Most Consecutive Playoff Appearances
The Patriots have made 11 consecutive playoff appearances from 2009 to 2019, the most in NFL history.23)
Patriots’ Rivalries
The Patriots have fierce rivalries with the New York Jets, the Buffalo Bills, and the Indianapolis Colts, among others.24)
Most Wins In A Decade
The Patriots hold the record for the most wins in a decade, with 125 victories from 2000 to 2009.25)
First AFL Title
The Patriots won their first AFL divisional title in 1963, before joining the NFL in the 1970 merger.26)
Greatest Show On Turf
The Patriots defeated the St. Louis Rams, known as the “Greatest Show on Turf,” in Super Bowl XXXVI, marking the start of their dynasty.27)
The "Patriot Way"
The team is known for its no-nonsense approach, often referred to as the “Patriot Way,” emphasizing hard work and discipline.28)
20 Straight Winning Seasons
From 2001 to 2019, the Patriots had 20 consecutive winning seasons, tied for the longest streak in NFL history.29)
Most Playoff Wins
The Patriots have the most playoff victories of any NFL franchise.30)
Spygate
In 2007, the Patriots were fined for videotaping opposing coaches' signals in a scandal known as “Spygate.”31)
First Super Bowl MVP
Tom Brady won his first Super Bowl MVP award in 2001, and he has won a total of five MVP awards in his career.32)
Largest Super Bowl Victory Margin
The Patriots hold the record for the largest margin of victory in a Super Bowl with their 46-10 win over the Chicago Bears in Super Bowl XX.33)
Oldest QB To Win a Super Bowl
At age 41, Tom Brady became the oldest quarterback to win a Super Bowl in 2019 (Super Bowl LIII).34)
Four-Time Super Bowl MVP
Brady holds the record for the most Super Bowl MVP awards, with four.35)
First Team with Three Super Bowls in Four Years
The Patriots became the first team in the salary cap era to win three Super Bowls in four years (2001, 2003, 2004).36)
50th Anniversary
In 2009, the Patriots celebrated their 50th anniversary as a professional football team.37)
Julian Edelman
Wide receiver Julian Edelman, a key player in multiple Super Bowls, won the Super Bowl MVP award in 2018.38)
Belichick's Defensive Genius
Before becoming the Patriots’ head coach, Belichick was known for his defensive schemes, particularly during his time with the New York Giants.39)
Most Points In 2007 Season
In 2007, the Patriots set a record for the most points scored in a season (589).40)
2001’s Surprise Run
The Patriots were huge underdogs in the 2001 playoffs but went on to win the Super Bowl, marking the start of their dynasty.41)
First Overtime Super Bowl
Super Bowl LI, where the Patriots defeated the Falcons, was the first Super Bowl to go into overtime.42)
Brady’s 500 Touchdowns
Tom Brady is one of only a few quarterbacks in NFL history to throw over 500 career touchdown passes.43)
Belichick’s 300 Wins
In 2019, Bill Belichick became the third coach in NFL history to win 300 career games, joining Don Shula and George Halas.44)