Gino Cappelletti

Gino Raymond Michael Cappelletti (March 26, 1934 – May 12, 2022) was an American professional football player who starred for the Boston Patriots of the American Football League. Born in Keewatin in northern Minnesota, he attended Keewatin High School and worked on the railroad and in the iron ore mines during his teenaged years. He went on to play college football at the University of Minnesota, where he served as a quarterback backing up All-American Paul Giel and handled extra-point kicking, though the Golden Gophers did not attempt field goals in those years. As a sophomore in 1952, Cappelletti persuaded his coach to let him attempt a game-winning 43-yard kick against Iowa. As a senior in 1954, he switched to T-quarterback and led Minnesota.

With the Patriots, Cappelletti became an AFL All-Star and won the 1964 AFL Most Valuable Player Award. He later served as the Patriots' radio color commentator until July 2012. Known by the nicknames "the Duke" and "Mr. Patriot," Cappelletti is a member of the Patriots Hall of Fame and was named to the Patriots' All-1960s team.