Jon Morris, former AFL and NFL center with Patriots, dies at 84

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Jon Morris, who played 11 of his 15-year AFL and NFL career with the Boston and New England Patriots, has died. He was 84.

Morris' death was announced Thursday by the Patriots. A cause of death was not disclosed.

A six-time AFL All-Star center for the Boston Patriots from 1964 to 1969, Morris was also a Pro Bowl selection in 1970 when the team joined the NFL as part of the AFL-NFL merger.

A standout at Holy Cross, Morris was selected by the Boston Patriots in the fourth round of the 1964 AFL draft and by the Green Bay Packers in the second round of the NFL draft. He opted to remain in New England, beginning a professional career that would last 15 seasons, including three with Detroit from 1974 to 1977, and his final season with Chicago in 1978.

“Jon Morris was one of the great players who helped build the foundation of our franchise,” Patriots chairman and CEO Robert Kraft said in a statement. “For generations of Patriots fans, he represented the toughness, dedication and pride of those early teams."

Morris helped anchor an offensive line during his tenure that included future Patriots Hall of Famers Gino Cappelletti, Babe Parilli and Jim Nance.

Morris' honors earned him induction into the Patriots Hall of Fame in 2011. He was also included on the Patriots' 50th anniversary team in 2009.

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