The New England Patriots lost a true giant on Thursday when Jon Morris passed away at 84. In 1970, a significant event took place as this person achieved the first NFL Pro Bowl honor in franchise history. The organization announced his death without releasing a cause, per reports. It is a somber moment for a team that now relies on young stars like Drake Maye to carry the torch. Spanning 1964 to 1974, Morris competed for 11 seasons across the Boston and New England Patriots, according to Heavy.com. He played in 130 games and earned seven straight league All-Star nods. That kind of consistency built the very foundation of this club long before the dynasty days.
Kraft Honors the Foundation
Owner Robert Kraft did not hold back when paying tribute to the former center. Kraft noted via an official team announcement that Morris ranks among the great players who established the franchise’s foundation. He noted that for generations of Patriots fans, he embodied the toughness, dedication, and pride of those early teams. Those words carry weight because Morris chose the Patriots over the Green Bay Packers in the 1964 draft. He faced a tough choice between the AFL and NFL drafts but picked Boston. That decision defined his career and the early identity of the franchise. Between 1979 and 1987, Morris even came back to the team serving as a radio color commentator. He stayed connected long after his playing days ended.
Old School Meets New School
While the team mourns a legend, the current roster is showing signs of life. The Patriots just crushed the Las Vegas Raiders 45-17 on Sunday at Gillette Stadium. Tom Brady weighed in on the current squad after seeing a young quarterback play so well. Brady noted that Drake Maye has responded so great after a rough start to the season. He mentioned an initial real slump early in the season, yet now he throws with confidence while the entire team feeds off it. That confidence is exactly what the old guard would have wanted to see. The team is not dead in the water anymore. They are climbing back into the mix.
The next test comes on Sunday, Oct. 18, when the New York Jets visit Gillette Stadium. Morris made his mark with grit and hard work, traits that never go out of style. The current players are trying to match that same level of pride. Leonard Taylor III showed respect for the past with a celebration honoring Matthew Judon during the last game. He told reporters he saw the play on his feed and thought that’s fire. The team is blending respect for history with a hungry new mindset. They have to keep this momentum going against a Jets team that needs a win.
