Andre Tippett came out of Iowa as an All-American and landed with the Patriots in the second round of the 1982 draft. Limited snaps as a rookie gave way to a starting role at left outside linebacker in 1983, where he quickly showed the speed and strength that would define him. From there, he became the primary edge presence on a defense still learning how to win consistently.

The 1984 season produced 18.5 sacks and the first of five straight Pro Bowl selections. The following year Tippett followed with 16.5 sacks, forced fumbles, and a recovery returned for a touchdown as the Patriots reached Super Bowl XX for the first time in franchise history. He finished third in Associated Press Defensive Player of the Year voting, shared the Newspaper Enterprise Association award, and United Press International named him AFC Defensive Player of the Year. First-team All-Pro recognition came with the production that helped carry the team through three road playoff wins.

Tippett’s game mixed speed off the edge with the strength to set the edge against the run. In the playoffs that season, he added tackles and another sack across four games. The two-year stretch of 35 sacks stood as one of the highest totals by a linebacker in league history. He continued the Pro Bowl run through 1988 and added another first-team All-Pro season in 1987 with 12.5 sacks, remaining the consistent force on a unit that fluctuated around him.

A shoulder injury wiped out the 1989 campaign. Tippett returned in 1990 and remained a starter through the 1993 season before retiring. With New England, he finished with exactly 100 sacks, still the franchise record, along with 19 fumble recoveries. At the time of his departure, he held the top three single-season sack marks in Patriots history.

Tippett was named to the 1980s All-Decade Team. The Patriots placed him in their Hall of Fame in 1999. Nine years later, he entered the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The numbers and the Super Bowl run had already made the case for a player who spent his entire career in one place. He remains the measuring stick for edge pressure in Patriots history.