Long before the silver-and-blue profile graced helmets during multiple Super Bowl runs, the franchise wore a completely different identity. The New England Patriots old logo, affectionately known as Pat Patriot, defined the team through three decades of early American Football League grit and growing pains. This mascot-style emblem captured a very different era of professional sports before sleek, corporate branding took over the league.
Understanding how this iconic symbol came to be, why it was retired, and how it survives today reveals a fascinating shift in sports marketing. From a fan contest submission in 1960 to a modern nostalgia-driven staple, the story of the original logo mirrors the evolution of the franchise itself.
The Birth of the Franchise and the Original Tricorne Hat
When the Boston franchise joined the American Football League (AFL) in 1960, the team needed an immediate identity. Team ownership held a public contest to name the new club, and a fan submission of "Patriots" won the prize—a brand new television set.
For the inaugural 1960 season, the team used a very simple logo: a dark blue tricorne hat set against a white background. This minimalist symbol lasted only one year. While clean, it lacked the dynamic energy needed to anchor a growing professional sports brand. Ownership realized they needed something far more engaging to capture public attention in a crowded Boston sports market.
Enter Pat Patriot: The 1961 Redesign
The definitive visual of the early franchise arrived in 1961. Boston Globe political and sports cartoonist Phil Bissell was hired to create game program illustrations. He drew a spirited, redcoat-fighting Revolutionary War minuteman crouched in a three-point stance, getting ready to snap a football.
Team owner Billy Sullivan loved the drawing so much that he adopted it as the official team logo. Pat Patriot became an instant fan favorite.
- The Design Elements: A detailed minuteman wearing a blue uniform, a red tricorne hat, and a red football tucked under his arm.
- Color Scheme: Deep navy blue, white, and a vibrant shade of red mirroring the American flag.
- Helmet Application: Rendered crisply on the sides of silver helmets paired with red facemasks and classic stripe patterns.
Throughout the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s, the team underwent various uniform tweaks—moving helmet stripes, changing jersey numbers, and shifting from the Boston Patriots to the New England Patriots in 1971—but Pat Patriot remained a constant fixture.
Why the Patriots Retired the Old Logo in 1993
By the early 1990s, the sports merchandise landscape had completely transformed. Licensing, caps, and apparel sales turned team logos into major revenue streams. Pat Patriot presented a massive logistical problem for this new commercial reality.
The detailed hand-drawn style was difficult to embroider cleanly on hats and jackets. Furthermore, the franchise was struggling on the field and looking for a total culture reset under new ownership.
In 1993, management officially pulled the plug on Pat Patriot. They introduced a sleek, modern profile of a minuteman with a flowing flag-like hat, quickly nicknamed the "Flying Elvis". Fans initially resisted the change, and the team even held a stadium poll where fans booed the new design, but the business logic of clean, sharp vector graphics won out. The team paired the new badge with royal blue jerseys before shifting to the darker navy aesthetic in 2000 that ushered in the dynasty era.
The Legacy and Return of Pat Patriot
While the Flying Elvis represents modern success and multiple championships, the old logo holds a deeply emotional place for longtime supporters. The franchise frequently honors its roots by wearing throwback uniforms featuring the silver helmet and Pat Patriot.
Between 2009 and 2012, the team wore these throwbacks annually with great success. However, an NFL rule change regarding helmet shells in 2013 temporarily paused these appearances. Once the league relaxed helmet guidelines, the demand to bring back the vintage look reached an all-time high, proving that old-school branding often outlasts corporate redesigns in pure sentimental value.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who created the original Pat Patriot logo?
Boston Globe cartoonist Phil Bissell created the character in 1960 for a game program, which inspired owner Billy Sullivan to make it the official team logo in 1961.
Why did the team change from Pat Patriot to the Flying Elvis?
The change happened in 1993 to modernize the brand, improve merchandise reproduction, and boost licensing revenue with a cleaner, more aerodynamic design.
Can the team still wear the old Pat Patriot uniforms today?
Yes. After a multi-year league restriction on alternate helmet shells was lifted, the NFL allowed teams to bring back classic alternate helmets, paving the way for throwback games.
Was the logo ever used when the team was in Boston?
Yes. The franchise used Pat Patriot for over a decade while playing under the Boston Patriots banner before the team officially relocated to Foxborough and changed its name to the New England Patriots in 1971.
