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131. Gino Cappelletti

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131. Gino Cappelletti

The New England Patriots would have a lot of talent come wear their uniform, but only one of them would have the nickname of "Mr. Patriot."

The road to the pros was a long one for Cappalletti as he went undrafted in 1955 after an excellent college career at the University of Minnesota and would play semi-pro for a few years.  The creation of the American Football League in 1960 would create opportunities, and Cappelletti signed with the Boston Patriots, where he was hired as a Kicker and Cornerback.  He would find a perfect home on the East Coast, and over the 1960s, he would be the team's permanent kicker and would three times lead the AFL in Field Goals.  That, however, was not the only job that Cappalletti would have for the Pats.

Cappelletti moved away from the defensive side of the ball and would also play at Flanker and Split End, and over his 11 seasons in Boston, he would accrue 292 Receptions for 4,589 Yards and 42 Touchdowns.  Four of his seasons would see him finish in the top ten in Receiving Yards.

Scoring TDs, Field Goals, and Extra Points, Cappalletti would retire by far as the franchise leader in points, though Adam Vinatieri since eclipsed that.  He is, however, the All-Time leader in Points Scored for the AFL, a record we feel certain anyone, Vinatieri included, can never touch.

The Bullet Points

  • Country of Origin: Keewatin, Minnesota, U.S.A.
  • Eligible Since: Thursday, 01 January 1976
  • Position: Cornerback, Kicker, Place Kicker, Split End, Wide Receiver
  • Games Played: 153
  • Notable Statistics: 176 Field Goals Made
    333 Field Goal Attempts
    52.9 Field Goal Percentage
    342 Extra Points Made
    353 Extra Point Attempts
    96.9 Extra Point Percentage
    292 Receptions
    4,589 Receiving Yards
    42 Receiving Touchdowns
    4 Rushing Attempts
    6 Rushing Yards
    4 Interceptions
    68 Interception Return Yards
    1 Punt Return
    3 Punt Return Yards
    4 Kick Returns
    100 Kick Return Yards
    1 Pass Completion
    1 Pass Attempt
    27 Passing Yards
    1 Touchdown Pass
    92 Approximate Value

    2 Playoff Games
    5 Field Goals Made
    6 Field Goal Attempts
    3 Extra Points Made 
    3 Extra Point Attempts
    6 Receptions
    181 Receiving Yards
  • Played For: New England Patriots
  • College: Minnesota
  • Drafted: Undrafted in 1955
  • Major Accolades and Awards:

    AP AFL Player of the Year (1) (1964)
    UPI AFL Player of the Year (1) (1964)
    The Sporting News AFL Player of the Year (1) (1964) 
    AFL All-Star (5) (1961, 1963, 1964, 1965 & 1966)
    Most Points Scored (5) (1961, 1963, 1964, 1965 & 1966)
    Most Field Goals Made (3) (1961, 1963 & 1964)
    Most Field Goals Attempted (3) (1961, 1963 & 1964)
    Highest Field Goal Percentage (1) (1965)

  • Other Points of Note:

    Top Ten Finishes: Approximate Value (2) (1961 & 1964)
    Top Ten Finishes: Receptions (2) (1961 & 1964)
    Top Ten Finishes: Receiving Yards (4) (1961, 1964, 1965 & 1966)
    Top Ten Finishes: Receiving Touchdowns (4) (1961, 1964, 1965 & 1966)
    Top Ten Finishes: Yards per Reception (3) (1961, 1964 & 1965)
    Top Ten Finishes: Receiving Yards per Game (4) (1961, 1964, 1965 & 1966)
    Top Ten Finishes: Touchdowns (2) (1961 & 1965)
    Top Ten Finishes: Points Scored (8) (1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967 & 1968)
    Top Ten Finishes: Extra Points Made (10) (1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968 & 1969)
    Top Ten Finishes: Extra Points Attempted (10) (1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968 & 1969)
    Top Ten Finishes: Field Goals Made (10) (1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968 & 1969)
    Top Ten Finishes: Field Goals Attempted (10) (1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968 & 1969)
    Top Ten Finishes: Field Goal Percentage (10) (1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968 & 1969)

  • Notable All Time Rankings: 48. Field Goals Attempted: 333
    51. Points Scored: 1,130
    67. Extra Points Attempted: 353
    69. Extra Points Made: 342
    90. Field Goals Made: 176
    95. Extra Point Percentage: 96.884%

Should Gino Capelletti be in the Hall of Fame?

Definitely put him in! - 81.8%
Maybe, but others deserve it first. - 18.2%
Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. - 0%
No opinion. - 0%
No way! - 0%
Last modified on Saturday, 25 March 2023 14:51

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