Patriot Passion: The 10 Patriots Who Had the Greatest Impact on Me

With the pro football Hall of Fame induction ceremonies coming up this weekend, we as football fans often pause to reflect how much these players meant to us.

Furthermore, we may dwell on those players or coaches who aren't Hall of Famers yet we will always have admiration for the way they played the game and the impact they had on our favorite franchise.

What follows is a list of 10 people that I feel have had the greatest impact on the New England Patriots franchise in their 50 years of existence, aside from those already and those soon to be enshrined in Canton.

10. Robert Edwards (RB 1998)

Drafted out of Georgia, he was anointed the heir apparent to the departed Curtis Martin.

Edwards rushed for over 1,000 yards in his rookie season, but then blew out his knee in an offseason flag football game.

He never played for the Pats again leaving us to wonder what might have been.

9. Irving Fryar (WR 1984-1992)

He was drafted out of Nebraska with the hype of being the best pure athlete in the draft.

Instead, Irving Fryar is more remembered for such incidents as the time he got into a fight at a Providence night club, and the time he totaled his car during a game he left due to injury.

However, Fryar did have an incredible work ethic as a teammate, and managed to make the Pro Bowl once in his time in New England.

Fryar later found God, and became the standout receiver for the Dolphins, showcasing the talent he never had in Foxboro.

But his willingness to turn his life around commands my respect and admiration for him as a person.

8. Ben Coates (TE 1991-1999)

Drew Bledsoe's favorite target, Coates was a five-time Pro Bowl selection who broke the record for receptions by a tight end in a season in 1994.

He was also named to the all-decade team for the 1990's and led the Patriots in receiving yards in Super Bowl 31, yet his name is often forgotten in the annals of great NFL tight ends.

7. Steve Grogan (QB 1975-1990)

The Patriots first franchise quarterback, Grogan led the team to an 11-win season in his first year as starter in 1976.

He also set the record for the most rushing touchdowns in a season with 12 in that same season, a record that still stands today.

However, it was Grogan's toughness and class that stood out to me. He worked his way back from several injuries and remained classy and committed to winning even when he lost his job to Tony Eason in the mid 80's.

6.  Steve Nelson (LB 1974-1987)

A hard-nosed and durable linebacker, Nelson recorded 100 or more tackles in a year nine times and was a three-time Pro Bowl selection.

But I know him best as the football coach and athletic director at my beloved alma mater Curry College during my first three years there and a man who always smiled and said hello to those who acknowledged him.

5. Gino Capelletti (WR/K (1960-1970)

If there is a man who deserves the title of "Mr. Patriot" Gino Capelletti is it.

The 1964 AFL MVP has been involved with the team since the beginning as a player, coach, and broadcaster.

He is the AFL's all-time leading scorer, as well as one of it's top receivers of all time.

However, fans of my generation embraced him as the kind and gentle analyst for the Patriots radio network who loudly cheered when Adam Vinatieri kicked the game winner in Super Bowl 36.

Here's hoping he does it again this year.

4. Stanley Morgan (WR, 1977-1989)

How is it that a man with more career receiving yards than Hall of Famer Raymond Berry and more career touchdowns than Lynn Swann and Michael Irvin isn't in the Hall of Fame himself?

Morgan was arguably the best deep threat the Pats ever had. His 19.2 yards per catch trails only Paul Warfield among wideouts with 500 or more career receptions.

3. Drew Bledsoe (QB 1993-2001)

The individual who along with Bill Parcels ushered in an era which the Patriots were no-longer pushovers in the NFL, Bledsoe lived up to his reputation and put up solid numbers in his Patriots career.

While it may be true that Bledsoe was sacked far too often, and was sometimes a poor decision maker with the ball, he did lead the NFL passing yards in 1994 and often found his man if he was given time.

Most importantly, he brought the team back to respectability and was a catalyst for the wave of success the organization still enjoys.

2. Troy Brown (WR 1993-2007)

In my lifetime, no Patriot player was more versatile and clutch than Brown.

It's not enough to merely state that Brown is the all time team receptions leader with 557, Brown also was best kick returner the team ever had, and even record three interceptions as an emergency defensive back in 2004.

Brown mostly proved his worth in the clutch.

He made a key catch that put the Patriots in field goal range to win the game in Super Bowl 36.

He returned a punt that provided the winning margin in the 2001 AFC Championship game

Finally, he stripped the Chargers Marlon McCrree in the fourth quarter of the 2006 AFC Divisional Playoff, on a fourth and five and gave the Patriots a new set of downs and allowed them to become victorious.

Troy Brown was a player who always rose to occasion and got the most out of his abilities.

1. Darryl Stingley (WR 1974-1978)

Darryl Stingley was a good but not great player in Patriots lore.

He only scored 14 career touchdowns and recorded only 110 catches in his brief career.

One day in Oakland would change all Patriots fans perceptions of Darryl Stingley and give him the title of most inspirational figure in Patriots lore.

On August 12th, 1978, Stingley went up to catch a high pass from Grogan and was knocked unconscious by a forearm from the Raiders Jack Tatum.

The hit broke Stingley's spinal cord, paralyzing him for life.

In the aftermath, Tatum never went to see Stingley in the hospital and never called to check up on him.

The only time he offered to reconcile with Stingley was to call him to ask if he wanted to help him promote his book on a TV special.

Despite his hardship, Stingley was never bitter about the accident and remained a classy and humble man for the rest of his life.

He spent his post football life establishing a foundation for unprivileged youth in his hometown in Chicago until his unexpected death from a heart attack.

Darryl Stingley was a stark reminder that football is only a game and things such as helping troubled youths have a much greater impact in life than accomplishments on the playing field.

I wish more of today's athletes would follow his example.

Special thanks to Michael Felger's book Tales From The Patriots Sideline & Maple Street Press' 2009 Patriots Annual for their help in writing this article.