Jon Morris, Patriots Hall of Famer and First Pro Bowler, Dies at 84
Morris played 11 seasons with the franchise, earning six AFL All-Star selections and becoming the team's initial NFL Pro Bowler.
Jon Morris, a decorated center and a foundational player for the Patriots franchise, has died at the age of 84. The team announced his passing on Thursday, remembering him as “one of the franchise’s earliest stars and among the most accomplished centers of his era.”
Morris played for the organization for 11 seasons, from 1964 to 1974, beginning his career with the team when it was known as the Boston Patriots in the American Football League (AFL). During his tenure, he was selected to the AFL All-Star Game six times. In 1970, Morris became the Patriots' first player to be named to the NFL Pro Bowl.
Drafted by the Patriots in the 1964 AFL Draft and by the Green Bay Packers in the NFL Draft the same year, Morris chose to begin his professional career with New England. A product of Holy Cross, he later played for the Detroit Lions (1975-1977) and the Chicago Bears (1978) before retiring at 36.
Following his playing career, Morris transitioned to broadcasting. He served as a radio color commentator for the Patriots from 1979 to 1987 and also provided analysis for NBC.
In 2011, Morris was inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame, an honor he described as the “crowning achievement of my football life.”
“On behalf of our family and the entire Patriots organization, we extend our deepest condolences to Jon’s family, friends and former teammates,” Patriots chairman and CEO Robert Kraft stated. “For generations of Patriots fans, he represented the toughness, dedication and pride of those early teams.”
The cause of Morris's death was not immediately announced.