The New England Patriots will open their 2024 campaign against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium on Sunday, September 8 at 1:00 p.m. ET, which is now 73 days away.
Until the opening kickoff of the season for the Patriots, we'll be counting down each day by looking back at those who have worn each specific jersey number.
Since 1960, only seven players have worn No. 73 in New England, as it has been retired for over 30 years now. With 73 days until their first game of the year, here's a look at everyone who's worn the number for the team:
OL Danny Villa: 1987-89
Villa was a fifth-round pick of the New England Patriots in the 1978 draft out of Arizona State. He appeared in 75 games over six seasons with the Patriots. He also spent time with the Phoenix Cardinals (1992), Kansas City Chiefs (1993-96) and Carolina Panthers (1998).
OL John Hannah: 1973-1985
Hannah was the Patriots' fourth-overall pick in the 1973 draft out of Alabama. He was a staple for the team, starting 183 games over his 13 seasons. He made seven First-team All-Pros, three Second-team All-Pros and nine Pro Bowls. The number was retired for him in 1991 when he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
DE Bill Atessis: 1971
Atessis was a second-round pick of the Baltimore Colts in 1971 out of Texas. He spent his rookie season with the Patriots, appearing in five games for the team. After one season in New England, he had stops with the St. Louis Cardinals (1972) and New York Jets (1973).
OT Tom Funchess: 1968-70
Funchess was a second-round pick of the Boston Patriots in the 1968 AFL/NFL draft out of Jackson State. He played in 39 games for Boston before spending three seasons with the Houston Oilers (1971) and one with the Miami Dolphins (1974).
DL Ed Khayat: 1966
Khayat went undrafted in 1957 out of Tulane. He played for Washington (1957, 1962-63) and the Philadelphia Eagles (1958-61, 1964-65) before joining the Patriots for all 14 games in 1966. He then transitioned to coaching, becoming the Eagles head coach in 1971-72 and New England's defensive line coach from 1985-89.
OL Billy Neighbors: 1962-65
Neighbors was a sixth-round pick of the Boston Patriots in the 1962 AFL draft as well as a fourth-round pick of Washington in the 1962 NFL draft. He appeared in 56 games over four seasons for the Patriots and earned AFL All-Star honors in 1963 before joining the Miami Dolphins for three seasons (1966-69) to end his career.
OL/DL Harry Jagielski: 1960-61
Jagielski was a seventh-round pick of Washington in the 1954 NFL draft out of Indiana. He spent one season split between Washington and Chicago Cardinals (1956). He then jumped to the AFL, playing 19 games for the Boston Patriots from 1960-61 and eight for the Oakland Raiders (1961).
