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New England Patriots History: Reliving the Greatness of Drew Bledsoe

By Logan Jakubajtys

Sep 3, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; A general view of a football and a New England Patriots helmet during the second half of a game against the New York Giants at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 3, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; A general view of a football and a New England Patriots helmet during the second half of a game against the New York Giants at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports /
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Before Tom Brady, Drew Bledsoe was the New England Patriots franchise quarterback. Though he never earned a solo Super Bowl ring, his time in New England should not be forgotten.

Drew Bledsoe had a record-setting career at Washington State before being the #1 overall pick for the New England Patriots in 1993.

As a rookie, Bledsoe started immediately. He helped the Patriots improve from 2 wins in 1992, to 5 in 1993. His first big game though came in the middle of the 1994 season. The Patriots were 3-6 and were losing to the Minnesota Vikings 20-3 at halftime.

Bledsoe set single-game records in both pass attempts (70) and completions (45), leading New England to a 26-23 overtime victory.

It was a turning point for Bledsoe and the Patriots as they won each of their remaining games, earning a 10-6 record and a playoff appearance. In the 1994 season, Drew Bledsoe set an NFL record in pass attempts and led the league with 4,555 passing yards. He was then named to his first Pro Bowl as an alternate.

Bledsoe and the Patriots had an up and down 1995 season but turned it around to make the playoffs again in 1996.

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New England faced the Jacksonville Jaguars in the AFC Championship, winning 20-6 en route to Super Bowl XXXI.

Bledsoe and the Patriots fell to the Brett Favre-led Green Bay Packers 35-21 in the Super Bowl.

He helped lead the Patriots to the playoffs in 1997 and 1998, but they faltered in 1999 and 2000.

Prior to the 2001 season, Drew Bledsoe signed a 10-year $103 million contract to remain with the New England Patriots. Things changed fast, though.

During the second game of the 2001 season, Bledsoe was knocked out of the game by the New York Jets’ Mo Lewis. He suffered a sheared blood vessel in his chest. Of course, that is when Tom Brady took over.

Even when Bledsoe was ready to play again, Bill Belichick stuck with the young Brady. Bledsoe never earned his role as the starter back, but he did help out in the playoffs.

Brady was injured in the AFC Championship Game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Bledsoe came in and threw a touchdown to David Givens, propelling the Patriots to a 24-17 win.

The Patriots went on to win their first Super Bowl over the St. Louis Rams.

Bledsoe was traded to the Buffalo Bills the following offseason. He then spent time with the Dallas Cowboys before retiring from the NFL in April 2007.

Over his nine-year career with the Patriots Bledsoe threw for 29,657 yards, and 166 touchdowns with a 56.3% completion percentage.

In September 2011 Bledsoe was inducted into the New England Patriots Hall of Fame. He edged out his former head coach Bill Parcells in the fan vote.

After his retirement, Bledsoe founded DoubleBack Winery in Washington. The New England Patriots celebrated their recent Super Bowl LI win with bottles of Bledsoe’s wine.

Drew Bledsoe is also the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Summit High School in Oregon. Bledsoe finds time to attend plenty of Patriots games as well.

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The legacy that Drew Bledsoe had with the New England Patriots can not be forgotten. He was a winner, a tough competitor and a fan favorite.

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