Legendary New England Patriots wide receiver and placekicker Gino Cappelletti died Thursday morning, the team announced. He was 89.
Patriots chairman and CEO Robert Kraft released the following statement:
"My heart aches after learning of Gino Cappelletti's passing this morning. For the first 51 years of this franchise's history, Gino contributed as an all-star player, assistant coach and broadcaster. You couldn't be a Patriots fan during that era and not be a fan of Gino's. The Patriots have had many iconic, fan-favorite players over the years. Gino was the first. I remember watching him play in 1960 and throughout his career.