THE APEX TIMES
Patriots Mourn the Passing of Hall of Fame Center Jon Morris
New England honored its early franchise star, a seven-time league All-Star who played 11 seasons with the Patriots and entered the team Hall of Fame in 2011.
The New England Patriots announced the passing of Hall of Fame center Jon Morris. He was 84 years old (1942-2026).
Morris played 11 seasons for the Patriots, from 1964 through 1974, appearing in 130 games and earning seven straight league All-Star selections. The team also noted that he represented Boston in six AFL All-Star Games from 1964 through 1969, then became the franchise’s first NFL Pro Bowl selection in 1970.
The Patriots said Morris was one of the team’s earliest stars and helped anchor the offense during an era that included other Patriots Hall of Famers such as Gino Cappelletti, Babe Parilli and Jim Nance.
Morris was a standout at Holy Cross and was selected by the Boston Patriots in the fourth round of the 1964 AFL Draft. The team also said he was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the second round of the NFL Draft before choosing to remain in New England.
After his Patriots career ended, Morris concluded his playing days with Detroit (1975-1977) and Chicago (1978). The team added that he returned to the Patriots as a radio color commentator from 1979 through 1987, later doing NFL analysis for NBC.
In 2011, Morris became the first player chosen for the Patriots Hall of Fame by the organization’s senior selection committee, created to recognize early-era contributors. The Patriots said his family will hold private services, and requested that donations be made to the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism in his name.
Why It Matters
- Morris is part of the early identity of the Patriots franchise, and the team’s release frames him as a foundational figure for its first decades.
- His streak of seven consecutive league All-Star seasons and his role as an early Pro Bowl selection illustrate how quickly New England built a reputation around elite play up the middle.
- Beyond his playing career, Morris’ long run in Patriots radio and later TV analysis reflects the way former stars helped shape the franchise’s media presence.
- The team’s mention of Hall of Fame selection criteria for early-era players places Morris within the Patriots’ broader effort to preserve its historical legacy.
Key Facts
- Jon Morris, a Patriots Hall of Fame center, died at age 84 (1942-2026), according to the team.
- Morris played 11 Patriots seasons (1964-1974), appearing in 130 games.
- He earned seven consecutive league All-Star selections and was named to AFL All-Star Games six times (1964-1969).
- The Patriots said Morris was the franchise’s first NFL Pro Bowl selection in 1970.
- Morris was selected by the Boston Patriots in the 1964 AFL Draft, and by the Packers in the 1964 NFL Draft, before choosing New England.
- The Patriots inducted Morris into the team Hall of Fame in 2011 and noted he later worked Patriots radio (1979-1987) and NFL analysis for NBC.