Gridiron Greatness Worksheet v2
Gridiron Greatness
The History of the New England Patriots • Part I
Name:
Date:
Beginnings, Stadium Struggles, and Early Hope
The New England Patriots’ journey to becoming a global icon began with a single signature in 1959. Founded by Billy Sullivan, the team entered the newly formed American Football League (AFL) as the Boston Patriots. Unlike the established teams in the NFL, the Patriots lacked a permanent home. For their first decade, they were "nomads," playing home games at Nickerson Field, Harvard Stadium, Fenway Park, and Boston College’s Alumni Stadium. This lack of stability was reflected on the field, where the team experienced only sporadic success, including a single AFL Championship appearance in 1963.
The 1970s brought significant changes. In 1971, the team moved to a dedicated stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, and rebranded as the New England Patriots to appeal to the entire region. This era saw the rise of legendary players like offensive lineman John Hannah and quarterback Steve Grogan. Despite some competitive seasons, the franchise remained in the shadow of more dominant teams. However, in 1985, the Patriots captured the imagination of New England by embarking on a surprising "wild card" playoff run, ultimately reaching Super Bowl XX. While they suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of the Chicago Bears, the achievement proved that the Patriots could compete on the grandest stage.
The late 1980s and early 1990s were difficult years, marked by poor performance and ownership turmoil. The Sullivan family was forced to sell the team, and there were even rumors that the franchise might move to St. Louis. The trajectory changed forever in 1994 when local businessman Robert Kraft purchased the team for $172 million—the highest price ever paid for an NFL team at that time. Kraft, a lifelong fan and season ticket holder, was determined to keep the team in New England and turn them into winners.
Kraft’s vision began to take shape immediately. Under head coach Bill Parcells and star quarterback Drew Bledsoe, the Patriots reached Super Bowl XXXI in 1996. Although they lost to the Green Bay Packers, the culture was shifting. The team was no longer satisfied with just being "competitive"; they were building a foundation for something much larger. By the end of the 1990s, the pieces were in place, but the most important additions were still to come.
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History of the New England Patriots • Part II
The Dynasty and the "Patriot Way"
The year 2000 was the most pivotal year in franchise history. Robert Kraft took a major gamble by hiring Bill Belichick, a defensive mastermind who had previously worked under Bill Parcells. In the same year, the team made a low-profile selection in the sixth round of the NFL Draft: a quarterback from Michigan named Tom Brady. Initially a backup, Brady was thrust into the starting role in 2001 after a devastating injury to Drew Bledsoe. What followed was a miracle season that ended with a shocking upset of the St. Louis Rams in Super Bowl XXXVI, secured by a last-second field goal from Adam Vinatieri.
This victory launched a two-decade dynasty that redefined excellence in modern sports. Over the next 18 seasons, the Patriots reached nine Super Bowls and won six of them (XXXVI, XXXVIII, XXXIX, XLIX, LI, and LIII). Their success was not just about talent, but about a specific culture known as the "Patriot Way." This philosophy, instilled by Belichick, demanded that every player "Do Your Job." It prioritized mental toughness, situational football, and a willingness to put the team’s needs above personal glory or high salaries.
The dynasty was characterized by its ability to adapt. While Tom Brady remained the constant leader, the team cycled through different styles and stars, from the defensive "No Name" units of the early 2000s to the high-powered offenses featuring Randy Moss and Rob Gronkowski. Perhaps their most legendary feat was in Super Bowl LI, where they overcame a 28-3 deficit against the Atlanta Falcons to win the first overtime game in Super Bowl history. This resilience became the hallmark of the New England Patriots, making them the most feared team in the league.
As with all great eras, the dynasty eventually reached its conclusion. Tom Brady departed for Tampa Bay in 2020, and Bill Belichick left the organization in 2024. Today, the Patriots are in an era of rebuilding under a new leadership group. While they face the challenge of recapturing their past glory in a highly competitive NFL, the standards established during the Brady-Belichick era remain the benchmark. The New England Patriots’ transformation from nomadic AFL underdogs to six-time world champions stands as a testament to the power of vision, discipline, and the pursuit of greatness.
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Part I: Multiple Choice
Select the best answer for each question based on the text.
1. Why was the team referred to as "nomads" during their first decade of existence?
They traveled across the entire country.
They lacked a permanent home stadium.
They changed their team name every year.
They were forced to move to St. Louis.
2. What was significant about Robert Kraft’s purchase of the team in 1994?
He purchased the team for the lowest price ever.
He was the first owner to hire Bill Belichick.
He paid the highest price ever for an NFL team.
He moved the team to Foxborough immediately.
3. How did Tom Brady initially become the starting quarterback for the Patriots?
He was the #1 overall pick in the draft.
He replaced Drew Bledsoe after an injury.
Bill Parcells hand-picked him as a rookie.
He was acquired in a trade with Tampa Bay.
4. What was the central demand of the "Patriot Way" philosophy?
"Win at All Costs"
"Individual Greatness First"
"Do Your Job"
"Score Every Possession"
5. Which event is highlighted in the text as a demonstration of the team's resilience?
The move to Foxborough in 1971.
The 1963 AFL Championship game.
Overcoming a 28-3 Super Bowl deficit.
The departure of Tom Brady in 2020.
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Part II: Open Response
Answer in complete sentences using evidence from the text.
1. Explain the "nomadic" nature of the Boston Patriots’ first decade. How did this lack of stability impact the franchise?
2. Compare the impact of the 1985 and 1996 Super Bowl appearances on the New England region. What did these runs prove about the team?
3. Describe the circumstances surrounding Tom Brady’s rise to the starting role in 2001. Why was this considered a "turning point"?
4. Based on the passage, how did the "Patriot Way" culture differ from traditional team building in professional sports?
5. Summarize the challenges the Patriots face in the current "era of transition." What must they overcome to reach their past standards?
Patriots History Comprehensive Activity
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Gridiron Greatness Answer Key
Answer Key
Gridiron Greatness: New England Patriots History (Expanded)
Part I: Multiple Choice
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They lacked a permanent home stadium. Correct Answer
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He paid the highest price ever for an NFL team. Correct Answer
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He replaced Drew Bledsoe after an injury. Correct Answer
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"Do Your Job" Correct Answer
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Overcoming a 28-3 Super Bowl deficit. Correct Answer
Part II: Open Response Guide
QUESTION 1: NOMADIC NATURE
Expected Answer: The team was nomadic because they lacked a permanent home, playing at four different venues (Nickerson Field, Harvard, Fenway, BC). This lack of stability contributed to only sporadic success on the field.
QUESTION 2: 1985 & 1996 RUNS
Expected Answer: These appearances proved the Patriots could compete on the grandest stage. They captured the region’s imagination and showed that despite losses, the franchise was building a foundation for higher levels of competition.
QUESTION 3: TOM BRADY'S RISE
Expected Answer: Brady, a 6th-round pick, stepped in for injured Drew Bledsoe in 2001. This was a turning point because it led to a "miracle season" victory in Super Bowl XXXVI and launched the two-decade dynasty.
QUESTION 4: THE PATRIOT WAY
Expected Answer: It differed by prioritizing "Do Your Job"—mental toughness and situational football over personal glory or salaries. It emphasized team needs and adaptability, cycling through different stars while maintaining high standards.
QUESTION 5: ERA OF TRANSITION
Expected Answer: The transition involves the departure of Brady and Belichick and the need to rebuild roster and identity under new leadership. They must overcome the challenge of recapturing glory in a highly competitive NFL.
Patriots Timeline Worksheet
Dynasty Timeline
Sequencing Patriots History
Name:
Date:
Review the article. 1) Write the correct year for each event (A-H). 2) Place the corresponding Letter in the circles on the yard-line timeline below to sequence them.
A
The team rebrands as the New England Patriots & moves to Foxborough.
Year:
B
Tom Brady is drafted (199th) and Bill Belichick is hired as coach.
Year:
C
The Boston Patriots are founded in the American Football League (AFL).
Year:
D
Robert Kraft purchases the franchise, bringing stability.
Year:
E
Bill Belichick departs the team after twenty-four seasons.
Year:
F
The team wins their first Super Bowl by defeating the Rams.
Year:
G
Tom Brady leaves the Patriots after winning six titles.
Year:
H
The Patriots suffer a heavy, blowout loss in Super Bowl XX.
Year:
The Championship Yard-Line
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Foundation Era Rebuilding Era
Gridiron History Sequence
COMPREHENSIVE SERIES • PATS_04B
Gridiron Greatness Worksheet v2
Gridiron Greatness
The History of the New England Patriots • Part I
Name:
Date:
Beginnings, Stadium Struggles, and Early Hope
The New England Patriots’ journey to becoming a global icon began with a single signature in 1959. Founded by Billy Sullivan, the team entered the newly formed American Football League (AFL) as the Boston Patriots. Unlike the established teams in the NFL, the Patriots lacked a permanent home. For their first decade, they were "nomads," playing home games at Nickerson Field, Harvard Stadium, Fenway Park, and Boston College’s Alumni Stadium. This lack of stability was reflected on the field, where the team experienced only sporadic success, including a single AFL Championship appearance in 1963.
The 1970s brought significant changes. In 1971, the team moved to a dedicated stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, and rebranded as the New England Patriots to appeal to the entire region. This era saw the rise of legendary players like offensive lineman John Hannah and quarterback Steve Grogan. Despite some competitive seasons, the franchise remained in the shadow of more dominant teams. However, in 1985, the Patriots captured the imagination of New England by embarking on a surprising "wild card" playoff run, ultimately reaching Super Bowl XX. While they suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of the Chicago Bears, the achievement proved that the Patriots could compete on the grandest stage.
The late 1980s and early 1990s were difficult years, marked by poor performance and ownership turmoil. The Sullivan family was forced to sell the team, and there were even rumors that the franchise might move to St. Louis. The trajectory changed forever in 1994 when local businessman Robert Kraft purchased the team for $172 million—the highest price ever paid for an NFL team at that time. Kraft, a lifelong fan and season ticket holder, was determined to keep the team in New England and turn them into winners.
Page 1 of 4
History of the New England Patriots • Part II
The Dynasty and the "Patriot Way"
Kraft’s vision began to take shape immediately. Under head coach Bill Parcells and star quarterback Drew Bledsoe, the Patriots reached Super Bowl XXXI in 1996. Although they lost to the Green Bay Packers, the culture was shifting. The team was no longer satisfied with just being "competitive"; they were building a foundation for something much larger.
The year 2000 was the most pivotal year in franchise history. Robert Kraft took a major gamble by hiring Bill Belichick, a defensive mastermind. In the same year, the team made a low-profile selection in the sixth round of the NFL Draft: a quarterback from Michigan named Tom Brady. Initially a backup, Brady was thrust into the starting role in 2001 after a devastating injury to Drew Bledsoe. What followed was a miracle season that ended with a shocking upset of the St. Louis Rams in Super Bowl XXXVI.
