National Football League

Former Patriot Tom Addison dies

Published Jun. 15, 2011 1:00 a.m. ET

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Tom Addison, a former all-AFL linebacker for the Boston Patriots, died Tuesday at his home in Bluffton, S.C., the NFL franchise announced. He was 75.

Addison attended the University of South Carolina (where he is a member of the school's athletic hall of fame) and was originally drafted by the Baltimore Colts in the 12th round (141st overall) of the 1958 NFL draft. The 6-foot-2, 230-pound prospect was also drafted by the Ottawa Rough Riders of the Canadian Football League, but eventually signed with the Boston franchise of the newly formed American Football League in 1960.

He played his entire eight-year career (1960-67) with the Boston Patriots and was selected to the team’s first all-decade team by a fan ballot in 1971.

Addison earned All-AFL honors in 1960 (before an All-Star game was formed), followed by four consecutive trips to the AFL All-Star game (1961-64). He was also a Sporting News All-League player in 1963 and 1964.

He also was elected in 1964 as the first president of the AFL Players Association.

He will be buried in his hometown of Lancaster, S.C., on Friday.
 

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