Patriots, Lions, Bears 7-time Pro Bowler, NBC analyst, dies at 84

Jon Morris, a longtime center for the New England Patriots who became one of the franchise’s foundational players, has died. He was 84.“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 released via the team. “For generations of Patriots fans, he represented the toughness, dedication and pride of those early teams. “It meant so much to me to call Jon in 2011 and tell him he had been selected to our Hall of Fame, ensuring that his contributions would always be remembered. On behalf of our family and the entire Patriots organization, we extend our deepest condolences to Jon’s family, friends and former teammates.”MORE: Former NFL punter, 35, dies following cancer battleMorris spent 11 seasons with the Patriots, then known as the Boston Patriots, from 1964-74. He appeared in 130 regular season games for the team, starting 125, and earned six consecutive American Football League All-Star selections from 1964-69. In 1970, he became the first Patriots player selected to the NFL Pro Bowl.Born April 5, 1942, in Washington, D.C., Morris attended Gonzaga College High School before playing college football at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts. He was a team captain as a senior and earned All-East honors.Morris was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the second round of the 1964 NFL draft and by the Patriots in the fourth round of the AFL draft. He chose Boston after speaking with coach Mike Holovak, beginning a career that helped establish the franchise in its early years.MORE: Former Alabama, TCU football coach dies at 75A durable and dependable presence on the offensive line, Morris helped open running lanes for fullback Jim Nance, who scored a team-record 45 rushing touchdowns from 1965-71. Morris earned first-team All-AFL honors in 1966 and was later named to the league’s all-time second team.A knee injury curtailed his final seasons in New England. He played for the Detroit Lions from 1975-77, earning the team’s most valuable player honor in 1977, and finished his professional career with the Chicago Bears in 1978. He retired in January 1979.MORE: Former Bills returner, Washington All-American, dies at 75Morris remained connected to football after his playing days, serving as a color commentator on Patriots radio broadcasts from 1979-87 before working as an NFL analyst for NBC.The Patriots inducted Morris into their Hall of Fame in 2011. He was also named to the franchise’s All-1960s team and its 35th- and 50th-anniversary teams.—Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories with The Big Lead Newsletter—