2017 October Legends Closing November 11
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/12/2017
In 1959, the eighth and final franchise for the emerging American Football League (AFL) was awarded to Boston business executive Billy Sullivan. After locals submitted their ideas for the team’s name, Sullivan decided on the ‘Boston Patriots.’ Shortly thereafter, Boston Globe artist Phil Bissell created the ‘Pat Patriot’ logo used by the franchise through 1992.
The AFL lasted from 1960-1969 and merged with the NFL in 1970. At the time, the Patriots were placed in the American Football Conference (AFC) East division where they remain today. The team relocated to Foxborough in 1971 and played their home games at Foxboro Stadium until 2001. When they made the move in 1971, they announced they would change their name to the Bay State Patriots. However, the NFL rejected that name and in March 1971 the team officially announced they would change its geographic name to New England.
This incredible, scarce button down red and blue wool coat still remains from the Patriots time in Boston. This quality-constructed jacket sports a white number “8” on the right sleeve and a ‘Pat Patriot’ patch sewn on the left chest. The jacket has two waist pockets, and the right one has a Wilson tag sewn in. The collar is blue, and the sleeve openings feature a red, white, and blue pattern. This item is in excellent condition and is a fantastic relic from the early years of one of the NFL’s current dominant franchises.