Gino Cappelletti, a founding member of the original Boston Patriots and member of the organization’s Hall of Fame, has passed away. As was announced by the Patriots, Cappelletti died in his home on Thursday morning at the age of 89.
Cappelletti made his pro football debut as a member of the newly founded Patriots in 1960. Over the next 11 years, he became one of the most recognizable faces of the young franchise — and one of the American Football League’s biggest stars.
“The Duke” was a five-time AFL All-Star, was voted the league’s most valuable player in 1964 and retired as its all-time leading scorer with 1,130 points.