The History of the New England Patriots Professional football arrived in New England on November 16, 1959, when a group of local businessmen, led by former public relations executive William H. "Billy" Sullivan, Jr. was awarded the eighth and final franchise in the new American Football League. One week later, Northwestern University running back Ron Burton was selected as the franchise’s first draft choice and Syracuse running back Gerhardt Schwedes was selected as the team’s first territorial choice.
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