Now, Andre The Giant

Andre Tippett’s journey to Pro Football Hall of Fame began in Newark

Calling family “the most important ingredient” in his life, Tippett also delivered emotional words to his wife, Rhonda, and his children, Janea, Asia, Madison, and Coby. A tone-setter on the field, where he totaled 100 career sacks, Tippett was the tone-setter for last night’s festivities, speaking first at 6:48 p.m., followed by fellow inductees Emmitt Thomas, Fred Dean, Darrell Green, Gary Zimmerman, and Art Monk. Wearing thick black-rimmed glasses and a red, white, and blue necktie (Patriots colors), Tippett was introduced by Patriots owner Robert Kraft and shared an embrace with him before his speech. Tippett led off his remarks by thanking Kraft and his family for hiring him when he retired. “I am so proud to be a Patriot for 26 years, and I hope to be a Patriot for another 26 years,” he said. While Tippett’s career ended with the Patriots, he reflected to when it started, at Barringer High in Newark. Of Tippett’s fast-moving speech, some of the most extensive comments were about his high school years. “From the day I was cut from my freshman football team, coach Frank Verducci instilled in me the proper mind-set to play this great game,” he said.

The NFL announced on Thursday that a group of former NFL stars representing each of the 32 teams will announce the second round draft picks in this weeks NFL Draft. The Patriots hold two second round draft picks, numbers 33 and 60 overall. Barring any trades by Bill Belichick, Tippett will have two opportunities to address Pats fans on stage. Tippett was inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame in 1999 and was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2008. Tippett was a second round draft pick (40th pick overall) by the Pats in 1982 and the linebacker out of Iowa went on to finish his 12 year career with a Patriot record 100 sacks. He played his entire NFL career with New England and was a five-time Pro Bowler. Tippett set a franchise record with 18.5 sacks in 1984 and is a member of the NFLs 1980s all-decade second team.

Andre Tippett Selects Winner of Ultimate Patriots Road Trip Raffle

Hear from Head Coach Bill Belichick, Quarterback Tom Brady and more of your favorite players every Monday during the season. Join Sportsradio 93.7 WEEI’s Dennis and Callahan at 8am, Mut and Merloni from 10-2 and Salk and Holley until 6pm as they review and preview all the Patriots action all season long. Replay from 6 – 12pm. Mon., Oct. 14, 2013 6:30PM – 11:59PM EDT Replay Patriots Monday Tune in all dayfor PATRIOTS MONDAY. Hear from Head Coach Bill Belichick, Quarterback Tom Brady and more of your favorite players every Monday during the season. Join Sportsradio 93.7 WEEI’s Dennis and Callahan at 8am,Mut and Merlonifrom 10-2 and Salk and Holley until 6pm as they review and preview all the Patriots action all season long.

Arlington High School’s John Dubzinski named Patriots High School Coach of the Week

14, 2013 9:00AM – 6:30PM EDT Live Patriots Monday Tune in all day for PATRIOTS MONDAY. Hear from Head Coach Bill Belichick, Quarterback Tom Brady and more of your favorite players every Monday during the season. Join Sportsradio 93.7 WEEI’s Dennis and Callahan at 8am, Mut and Merloni from 10-2 and Salk and Holley until 6pm as they review and preview all the Patriots action all season long. Replay from 6 – 12pm. Mon., Oct. 14, 2013 6:30PM – 11:59PM EDT Replay Patriots Monday Tune in all dayfor PATRIOTS MONDAY. Hear from Head Coach Bill Belichick, Quarterback Tom Brady and more of your favorite players every Monday during the season. Join Sportsradio 93.7 WEEI’s Dennis and Callahan at 8am,Mut and Merlonifrom 10-2 and Salk and Holley until 6pm as they review and preview all the Patriots action all season long.

Tippett put in the work for his Fame

“Around that time in the ’80s, the size and speed of linebackers started to change, they started to be bigger and faster and more versatile. He and Taylor probably set the standard for what everybody looks for in linebackers today.” But Taylor grabbed the headlines in that era, especially as Tippett played on some less-talented Patriots teams late in his career. Taylor was a first-ballot Hall of Fame selection in 1999, but Tippett had to wait. After missing the cut as a finalist in 2007, Tippett figured he had a 50-50 shot of making it in this year. Now the Patriots’ executive director of community affairs, Tippett was in the Phoenix area for Super Bowl XLII the day the selections were made, and spent his day as befits his personality — he went out to breakfast with his family, then found a quiet spot to watch television in the lobby of the Patriots’ team hotel. When he learned of his selection, he said he was overwhelmed and fulfilled. Later, both he and Verducci cried when he called to thank him, once again, more than three decades after their chance encounter at Barringer. “To say that I expected it, no, no way could I sit up here and say that today.

Andre Tippett to announce Patriots’ second round draft picks

Bruised and beaten, they trailed the Chicago Bears, 44-3. Soon enough, coach Raymond Berry was removing his defensive starters. Don Blackmon . . . Steve Nelson . . .