Patriots Careers in Foxboro, MA

Professional football arrived in New England on November 16, 1959, when a group of local businessmen, led by former public relations executive William H. "Billy" Sullivan, Jr. was awarded the eighth and final franchise in the new American Football League. One week later, Northwestern University running back Ron Burton was selected as the franchise's first draft choice and Syracuse running back Gerhardt Schwedes was selected as the team's first territorial choice. As the result of a public contest, the team nickname of Patriots is chosen. The Patriots also announce that the team colors will be red, white and blue.