The Patriots began their NFL career in 1960 as the Boston Patriots. A simplistic blue, tri-corner hat was their logo for only a year before the Patriots saw the other, intricate teams’ logos and decided to re-brand and add a Revolutionary War minuteman under the hat (which was changed to red). “Pat Patriot” was a red, white, and blue cartoon-like character who was down in position preparing to snap the ball. Four years later, due to modernization, the logo was redrawn to look less cartoon-like and more detailed. The clothing was more intricately drawn, the face and hands were flesh-colored, and the facial expression changed to a serious one of grit and determination. In 1971, very small changes to the logo’s colors were made and the team’s name officially changed to the New England Patriots. This design lasted until 1993 where, arguably, the biggest change to the logo took place. The minuteman changed into the profile of a grey-faced man wearing a red, white, and blue cap. The tri-corner hat remained but appeared to flow into a banner which spurred the name, “Flying Elvis.” This logo is largely the same that is seen today, except the colors changed in 2000 to show a silver-faced patriot with a deeper red and blue hat to continue modernization.

Sports Logo History has excerpt sections from this syndicated post. Read the original at Football Logo Evolution Vol. 2.

The Story Behind Patriot Pat from the Cartoonist Who Created Him