<P> The history of the New England Patriots began when Boston business executive William "Billy" Sullivan and Sullivan Brother Printers, owned by Joseph Sullivan, were awarded the eighth and final franchise of the developing American Football League (AFL) on November 16, 1959 . The following winter, locals submitted thousands of ideas for the Boston football team's official name . On February 20, 1960, Sullivan chose "Boston Patriots", with "Patriots" referring to those colonists of the Thirteen Colonies who rebelled against British control during the American Revolution and in July 1776 declared the United States of America an independent nation . "Patriots" as a nickname had been suggested by 74 fans, among them Larry Kepnes . Immediately thereafter, artist Phil Bissell developed the "Pat Patriot" logo . </P> <P> The Patriots' time in the AFL saw them without a regular home stadium . Nickerson Field, Harvard Stadium, Fenway Park, and Alumni Stadium, all in or near Boston, served as home fields during their time in the American Football League . Early Patriots stars included defensive tackles Jim Lee "Earthquake" Hunt and Houston Antwine; quarterback Vito "Babe" Parilli; and flanker - placekicker Gino "The Duke" Cappelletti . Hunt, Parilli and Cappelletti played every year of the existence of the AFL, with Hunt and Cappelletti spending all ten years with the Patriots . Cappelletti was the all - time leading scorer in the AFL . Later the Patriots were joined by such stars as defensive end Larry Eisenhauer, fullback Jim Nance, and middle linebacker and future Hall of Famer Nick Buoniconti . Cappelletti and Nance were AFL Most Valuable Players, Cappelletti in 1964 and Nance in 1966 . Buoniconti and Antwine were later named to the American Football League All - Time Team . </P>

When did the new england patriots become a team