Here’s a wonderful artifact from the first year of the fully realized AFL-NFL merger. It’s the July 1970 issue of Pats Patter, the official team newsletter of the Boston Patriots. You will remember, of course, that the team did not become the New England Patriots until the 1971 season.
As might be expected for a preseason newsletter, this issue of Pats Patter focuses on the team’s upcoming opponents for the season and highlights some of the stars coming to Boston — namely, Johnny Unitas, Fran Tarkenton, and Joe Kapp.
Also highlighted on the front page is an August preseason game against Vince Lombardi’s Washington Redskins.
Page 2 has some great photos of familiar AFL foes such as Joe Namath and O.J. Simpson.
Of course, no newsletter would be complete without a season ticket order form. $58.50 got you an entire season of Patriots football at Harvard Stadium.
The newsletter ends with a warm letter from team owner Billy Sullivan and the entire 1970 Patriots schedule.
