Patriots Sunday: Father’s Day Edition

Happy Father’s Day to all who are being celebrated today. A special shoutout to my father, Geno Kelley. This year he turns 87 and just celebrated wedding anniversary No. 60. My parents raised six sons and have 16 grandchildren. Everyone is doing well, thanks largely to the amazing example set for me and my brothers. Various athletes (such as recently honored New England Patriots icon Tom Brady) are considered the “GOAT” in their respective sports. But nobody tops my father in terms of being a quality human being.

This father and football scribe will spend most of the day at two dance recitals for my daughters. If my kids have a good day, I will too. And despite being preoccupied with the art of the dance, I’ve scheduled several articles for those looking to spend a portion of the day reading about the Patriots.

Today’s articles will include the latest feature of the Patriots 90-Man Roster Spotlight. There will be more love for the GOAT with Day 3 of the “Twelve Days of Tom Brady” series. A former Patriots player becoming a rising star in his second career will be highlighted. And finally, a look at a New England player predicted to rebound in 2024. Of course, if any news breaks during the day, I’ll find time between dance routines to keep folks updated.

But since it is Father’s Day, a look at where fathers and the New England Patriots intersect.

Patriots With NFL Fathers

There are numerous examples of father-son combinations in New England with NFL ties. Patriots CEO Robert Kraft is the father of team president Jonathan Kraft. Executive Vice President of Player Personnel Eliot Wolf is the son of Pro Football Hall of Fame executive Ron Wolf. Safeties coach Brian Belichick’s father Bill Belichick is an NFL coaching legend. Andre Tippett is New England’s Executive Director of Community Affairs. He played his entire Hall of Fame career with the Patriots. His son Cody Tippett is now a member of the staff as well, hired as a special teams coaching assistant.

As for the players, there are two second-generation NFL players currently on the New England Patriots 90-man roster.

Christian Elliss enters his second year with New England. The Patriots claimed him off waivers from the Philadelphia Eagles last December. The linebacker played exclusively on special teams in four games after joining the team. His father Luther Elliss played 10 NFL seasons (1995-2004), the first nine with the Detroit Lions. The elder Elliss was selected to two Pro Bowl teams during his career.

Jalen Reagor earned more playing time as the 2023 season advanced in New England. He began the year on the practice squad but worked his way onto the 53-man roster and appeared in 11 games. He averaged 31.6 yards on his seven kickoff returns, including a touchdown. His father Monaee Reagor won a Super Bowl with the 1999 Denver Broncos. He played nine NFL seasons with the Broncos, Colts, and Eagles.

Former Patriots Who Became NFL Fathers

By my count, 12 former Patriots had sons become NFL players. That group includes: Julius Adams (Keith Adams), Sam Adams (Sam Adams Jr.), Ray Agnew (Ray Agnew III), Steve DeOssie (Zak DeOssie), Chuck Foreman (Jay Foreman), Pat Harlow (Sean Harlow), Don Hasselbeck (Matt Hasselbeck, Tim Hasselbeck), Maurice Hurst (Maurice Hurst Jr.), Shawn Jefferson (Van Jefferson), Randy Moss (Thaddeus Moss), Asante Samuel (Asante Samuel Jr.), and Mosi Tatupu (Lofa Tatupu).

Note: Taddeus Moss never appeared in an NFL game, but was on the Cincinnati Bengals roster in 2021.

Also in today’s Patriots Sunday:

Daily Patriots Fun Fact

Sixteen members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame had either a father or son also play in the NFL. This list includes New England Patriots legend John Hannah. His father Herb Hannah was an offensive tackle on the 1951 New York Giants.

No father-son duo have each been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as players. Longtime Patriots special teams star Matthew Slater has a chance to join his father Jackie Slater in Canton to become the first.

Post of the Day

For the first time, there are two Posts of the Day. In honor of Father’s Day, a pair of New England Patriots legends celebrating, and celebrating with, their fathers. First up, Tom Brady is asked about his hero.

"I think my dad is my hero."

A young boy asked @TomBrady who his hero was, and Brady got emotional ❤️#FathersDay pic.twitter.com/HVOBKNlj3M

— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) June 21, 2020

And then, Bill Belichick gets to celebrate a Super Bowl win with his father Steve.

That time Belichick and his dad shared a Super Bowl Gatorade bath. 💙

Happy Father's Day! pic.twitter.com/uf4d34tlhK

— NFL Films (@NFLFilms) June 18, 2023

New England Patriots

Patriots Football Now – Jerod Mayo said the Patriots were going to burn money, but they didn’t. He was going to enter training camp with three quarterbacks but now doesn’t plan to. Mike Onwenu was locked in at right tackle, until a day later. With all these contradicting messages, Jerod Mayo might be better off saying less.

Patriots Football Now – Day 2 of the 12 Days of Tom Brady featured a look at some of the teammates who helped make his incredible run in New England such a success. The quarterback on the All-Patriots Team of the Tom Brady Era is a given. Which 25 teammates joined Brady on the roster?

Patriots Football Now – DeMario Douglas had a solid rookie campaign in 2023 for the Patriots. He caught 49 passes for 561 receiving yards. He showed toughness, resiliency, and explosiveness. On a stagnant New England offensive, the man they call Pop was one of the few bright spots. Maybe that is why he was projected as a breakdown star for 2024.

NFL News

NFL.com – Wide receiver contracts have been escalating quickly this offseason. Minnesota Vikings WR Justin Jefferson became the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history at $35 million annually. The Cincinnati Bengals have felt the crunch, with Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase looking for new deals. Now, Tee Higgins is singing his franchise tag and will report to training camp.

Pro Football Network – The new kickoff rules in the NFL for 2024 could significantly alter the play forever if it sticks. There should be more returns than in recent years, though it’s tough to project if the average return will increase or decrease. But before moving forward, a look back at the top kickoff returners in NFL history. The list features a former Patriot and a former Patriots nemesis.

Boston Bruins

Boston Hockey Now – The Boston Bruins are home watching the Stanley Cup Finals like the rest of the hockey world outside Edmonton and South Florida. Last night the Oilers won Game 4 by an 8-1 final score to stay alive. But the BHN staff continue to keep tabs on everything happening with the Bruins as they try to retool and reload for another Cup run next season.

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