Six-time AFL All-Star center Jon Morris, a true foundational piece of the New England Patriots and a member of their Hall of Fame, passed away at 84, the team confirmed Thursday. He was one of the giants who shaped what it meant to be a Patriot, playing alongside other legends like Gino Cappelletti, Babe Parilli, and Jim Nance.
A Decade of Grit and Glory
Morris’s journey to the Patriots started in 1964, when he was scooped up in both the AFL and NFL drafts. The Boston Patriots picked him in the fourth round of the AFL draft, while the Packers took him in the second round of the NFL draft. But Morris, a Holy Cross product, signed with the Patriots, and that’s where he really left his mark. He spent 11 of his 15 NFL seasons in New England, anchoring the offensive line and becoming a dominant force in the league. From 1964 to 1969, he was an AFL All-Star center a mind-blowing six times! Then, in 1970, after the AFL-NFL merger, he continued to show his skill, earning a Pro Bowl selection.
His Impact Echoes Far Beyond the Field
Morris didn’t just stay in New England for his entire career, though. He played with Detroit from 1974-77 and then finished his remarkable 15-season run with Chicago in 1978. But it’s his time in New England that truly cemented his place in football history. The Patriots recognized his immense contribution, inducting him into the team’s Hall of Fame in 2011 and including him on their 50th anniversary team in 2009. Patriots owner Robert Kraft put it best in a statement, saying, “Jon Morris was one of the great players who helped build the foundation of our franchise. For generations of Patriots fans, he represented the toughness, dedication and pride of those early teams.”
It’s a tough day for anyone who appreciates the history of the game. Jon Morris represented the absolute toughness, dedication, and pride that defined those early teams. His name is etched into the very soul of the Patriots franchise, a legacy that will absolutely live on.
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Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
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