Foxborough, Mass. – The Hall at Patriot Place presented by Raytheon launches its newest exhibit – "A Wild Ride ... the story of the 1985 Patriots 25 years later" – on Friday, October 22, 2010. The exhibit highlights the 1985 season, which ended with the Patriots playing in the franchise's first Super Bowl.
The exhibit takes fans through the season, game-by-game, including the magical playoff ride when the Patriots became the first Wild Card team to win three road playoff games and reached Super Bowl XX to face the Chicago Bears. In the process, the Patriots broke the infamous "Orange Bowl jinx," winning the AFC Championship game in Miami, where they had lost 18 straight games and hadn't won since 1969. The run also included the Patriots' first ever post-merger playoff victory, a 26-14 win over the Jets at Giants Stadium.
"That 1985 team provided New England with a magical ride," Hall executive director Bryan Morry said. "Winning those three playoff games on the road to reach the Super Bowl was special and to break the so-called 'jinx' in Miami provided our fans with positive lifelong memories. We are trying to recapture that feeling with this exhibit. The Kraft family has taken the organization to new heights and built a three-time Super Bowl Champion. Even though the 1985 team didn't win the Super Bowl, it gave us all the taste of what it would be like and made winning in 2001 that much sweeter."
The exhibit features artifacts like Steve Nelson's 1985 AFC Championship ring, memorabilia from Super Bowl XX – including the famous 'Berry the Bears' t-shirt – autographed 1985 jerseys and much more. One wall will provide a game-by-game description of the 1985 regular season, and the opposite wall provides a timeline of world events that coincided with New England's season. Three different graphic panels highlight the veterans on the team, Pro Bowlers from the 1985 season and coach Raymond Berry.
"For me, personally, and for my teammates, this was and still is our greatest accomplishment as players in the Patriots organization during that time," said Pro Football Hall of Famer and Patriots Executive Director of Community Affairs Andre Tippett, who was a defensive leader on the 1985 team. "For us to get to that moment in time, it took coaching, teamwork and perseverance on everyone's part. Every facet of that team made huge contributions during that season, be it special teams, offense and defense. I was proud to be part of it all. It was a fun and fascinating year."
To learn more about The Hall or to purchase tickets, visit www.thehallatpatriotplace.com.
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ABOUT THE HALL AT PATRIOT PLACE PRESENTED BY RAYTHEON
The Hall at Patriot Place presented by Raytheon is the crown jewel of Patriot Place and the only sports and education experience of its kind. Through a dazzling array of interactive multimedia exhibits and artifacts never before viewable by the public, The Hall showcases the tradition of the New England Patriots, explores the history of football in New England, and promotes math and science education for thousands of schoolchildren each year. In 2009, The Hall received a Gold MUSE Award from the American Association of Museums and The Hall's signature film, "Patriots Way," won a CINE Golden Eagle Award. The Hall was named to Boston Globe Magazine's Best of the New, and was a Yankee magazine Editor's Choice recommendation.
