Believe it or not, Jim Otto was not the only man to play center in the American Football League! As incredible and enduring as we was (and he was both), Jim Otto garners nearly 100% of the attention when the center position is brought up in regards to the AFL. But there were other very fine centers through the league, Sam Gruneisen, Jon Gilliam and Al Bemiller, to name a few. From 1964-1974, Jon Morris played center for the Boston Patriots. Drafted out of Holy Cross in the second round of the 1964 AFL Draft, Morris won the Patriots’ Rookie of the Year honors in ’64, and settled in for his 11-season stay as leader of the Patriots offensive line.
In 2011, after many near misses, Jon Morris was inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame. You can tell by the video, how much the honor meant to him.
Jon Morris in fact was the AFL’s first team center in 1966 – ranked ahead of the Raiders HOF’r Jim Otto.
Morris, 255 lbs. by his own description, also had a sense of humor, which came in handy being a member some of those 1960’s Patriots teams, this quote of his re: playing against ‘The Big Cat’, DT Ernie Ladd, all 6’9 324 (and then some) lbs –
“It was dark. I couldn’t see the linebackers. I couldn’t see the goalposts. It was like being locked in a closet.” [ Ladd was so big, he blocked out the sun ]
The AFL had many good centers who enjoyed long careers. Morris played 11 years for the Patriots and played for the Lions and Bears in the mid 70’s to finish his career. John Schmitt (centered for the Jets in SBIII while playing the whole game with walking pneumonia) played 10 years with the Jets and finished with the Packers in 1974. Jerry Sturm played three years in Canada, then for the Broncos from 61 thru 66, and then the Saints, Oilers and Eagles thru 73. Bobby Maples started with the Oilers in 65 and was the starting center for the Broncos in the 1978 SB. Don Rogers (Chargers) and Mike Hurdock (Jets) were also very accomplished centers in the early AFL.
In 1964,I attended a Patriot game at Fenway Park. When the game was over, you could go on the field and greet the players, unheard of today. I approached Jon Morris, and he talked to me like he knew me all his life. A differant era, and a better and simpler one. He had a lot of class.
Very kind words about my father. Thank you to all of you for posting. Eddie, you are a true fan and my dad speaks highly of those days at Fenway Park. I’m sure he loved the chance to talk with you at that game. This induction to the Patriots Hall of Fame was the highlight of his career. It’s especially endearing to me as my children and generations of Morris children will be able to go to the Hall at Patriot Place and share in the experience. Kudos to Bob Kraft for making all of this happen.
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