Patriots Remember Late Owner

Former New England Patriots owner James Orthwein died Friday at age 84 after a long battle with cancer.

Orthwein bought the Patriots in 1992 and hired Bill Parcells as their coach. He sold the franchise in '94 to current owner Robert Kraft.

"I didn't know James Orthwein well, but I did share one of my life's most memorable moments with him and my family back on January 21, 1994," Kraft said in a written statement released by the Patriots. "That was the day that I purchased the New England Patriots from Mr. Orthwein. I have a great black-and-white photo of the two of us sitting at a table that day with my entire family standing behind us. It is a day that I will never forget and a memory that I will always cherish. On behalf of my family, I would like to extend sympathies to the Orthwein family."

By Mark Maske |  August 18, 2008; 10:16 AM ET  | Category:  Patriots
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