Former Patriots owner Orthwein dies at 84
editor1 |Aug 17,2008
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ST. LOUIS (Ticker) - James Busch Orthwein, who owned the New
England Patriots prior to the team's current regime, died on
Friday. He was 84.
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported that passed away at his
home in Huntleigh after a long battle with cancer.
Orthwein bought the Patriots in 1992, when the franchise was
mired in a prolonged spell of mediocrity. In 1993, he hired
Bill Parcells as head coach, the same year the team picked Drew
Bledsoe with the No. 1 overall pick.
Two years after buying the franchise, Orthwein sold the Patriots
to current owner Robert Kraft.in 1994.
Led by Parcells and Bledsoe, New England went to the Super Bowl
following the 1996 season, losing to the Green Bay Packers.
Under Kraft, the Patriots have been to the Super Bowl four times
since, winning three in a span of four seasons.
"I didn't know James Orthwein well, but I did share one of my
life's most memorable moments with him and my family back on
January 21, 1994," Kraft said. "That was the day that I
purchased the New England Patriots from Mr. Orthwein. I have a
great black-and-white photo of the two of us sitting at a table
that day with my entire family standing behind us. It is a day
that I will never forget and a memory that I will always
cherish.
"On behalf of my family, I would like to extend sympathies to
the Orthwein family."
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