FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 14, 1999
ANDRE TIPPETT BECOMES 10TH PATRIOT TO BE INDUCTED INTO PATRIOTS HALL OF FAME MONDAY NIGHT
FOXBORO, Mass. – On Monday night, the New England Patriots will officially induct Andre Tippett, the franchise’s all-time leading sack artist, into the team’s Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony will take place just prior to kickoff of Monday’s nationally televised matchup between the New England Patriots and the New York Jets. He joins Nick Buoniconti, Gino Cappelletti, Bob Dee, Steve Grogan, John Hannah, Michael Haynes, Jim Lee Hunt, Steve Nelson and Vito "Babe" Parilli.
Tippett dominated the game throughout the mid to late 1980s, a period in which he was voted to five consecutive Pro Bowls (1984-88). The 6-foot-3-inch, 241-pound linebacker was originally drafted by the Patriots in the second round of the 1982 NFL draft (41st overall) after an All-American senior season at Iowa. He set the franchise’s single season sack record with 18.5 in 1984, his third season in the league. The next year, he recorded 16.5 sacks, followed by 12.5 sacks in 1987. Those three totals still rank first, second and third among the all-time single season sack leaders in the history of the franchise. Those totals contributed to another franchise record, as Tippett retired with 100 career sacks. His 100th sack came in his final game when he sacked Miami’s Scott Mitchell in the 1993 season finale. At the time, he was just the seventh player in NFL history to reach the 100-sack plateau. Following the 1993 season, Tippett retired, moving from the field to the front office. In his 11-year career, he totaled 798 total tackles, forced 15 fumbles and was credited with 17 fumble recoveries. He played on three playoff teams, including the 1985 squad, which won the franchise’s first AFC Conference title and advanced to the Super Bowl. In 1994, Tippett was named director of player resources. He later joined the team’s scouting department and currently holds the title of assistant director of pro scouting.
At halftime, the Patriots will honor approximately 40 alumni members in celebration of their 40th anniversary season. Some of the alumni members expected to attend Monday Night’s game are listed below:
Don Allard
Joe Bellino
Jim Boudreaux
Jim Bowman
Ron Burton
Bob Cappadona
Gino Cappelletti
Jim Colclough
Jim Crawford
Walt Cudzik
Jack Davis
Gerry Delucca
Larry Eisenhauer
Larry Garron
Art Graham
Steve Grogan
Rosa Hunt (for Jim Lee)
Roland James
Eddie Jenkins
Billy Johnson
Steve King
Ronnie Lippett
Steve Nelson
Lennie St. Jean
Chuck Shonta
John Smith
Tom Stephens
Ed Toner
Randy Vataha
Jim Whalen
Derwin Williams
Jon Williams
Tom Yewcic