Rick Sapienza, Member of the Original AFL Jets and Patriots, Dies at 90
Summary
Rick Sapienza, who played one season in the American Football League (AFL) in 1960, has died at age 90. He was part of the first teams of both the Boston Patriots and New York Titans (later the Jets), and later taught and coached high school football in Massachusetts.Key Facts
- Rick Sapienza was from Massachusetts and died on August 2 at age 90.
- He played professional football only in 1960, the AFL's first year.
- Sapienza was on the first rosters of the Boston Patriots and New York Titans.
- The Boston Patriots became the New England Patriots in 1971 after merging with the NFL.
- The New York Titans were rebranded as the Jets in 1963 before the merger.
- Sapienza was initially signed by the Patriots but played games only for the Titans.
- He mainly punted for the Titans and accidentally caused a turnover that helped the Patriots win their first game.
- After football, he became a teacher and coach at Peabody Veterans Memorial High School in Massachusetts.
- His family includes athletes at the college level in football and baseball.
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