20 days till Patriots season opener: Every player to wear No. 20 for New England

Mike Masala

20 days till Patriots season opener: Every player to wear No. 20 for New England image

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 20 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, one player has worn No. 20 in New England, and with 20 days until their first game of the year, let's remember the only No. 20 in team history.

WR/K Gino Cappelletti (1960-70)

Cappelletti began his football career at Minnesota where he played quarterback and kicker.

After college, he spent time with the Sarnia Imperials/Golden Bears and Toronto Balmy Beach Beachers in the Ontario Rugby Football Union. During those years, he was drafted into the U.S. Army, but he returned to football afterward.

In 1960, Cappelletti tried out for the AFL's Boston Patriots. He spent 11 seasons with the team, playing wide receiver, kicker and defensive back.

Cappelletti appeared in 153 games for Boston, catching 292 passes for 4,589 yards and 42 touchdowns. He also recorded four interceptions on defense and made 52.4% of field goal attempts and 96.9% of extra points.

He was a five-time AFL All-Star, five-time AFL scoring leading and 1964 AFL MVP.

After his retirement from football, Cappelletti's No. 20 was retired the following year. He later joined Gil Santos as the color commentator on the Patriots' radio broadcasts for 28 seasons before retiring from his second career in 2012. For his work on the field and in the booth, he was inducted into the team's Hall of Fame in 1992.

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Mike Masala

Mike Masala Photo

Mike Masala previously served as the Managing Editor of USA TODAY's Dolphins Wire as well as a contributing writer at Patriots Wire. A lifelong New England resident, he is the self-proclaimed captain and lone member of the Laurence Maroney Fan Club. Follow on Twitter/X: @Mike_Masala