Patrick Sullivan (American football executive)

Patrick "Pat" Sullivan is a former American football executive who served as general manager of the New England Patriots from 1983 to 1990.

Early life

The son of Patriots founder Billy Sullivan, Sullivan was a ballboy for the first Boston Patriots team.[1]

In 1976 he graduated from Boston College.[2]

New England Patriots

After graduating college, Sullivan spent two years as the manager of Schaefer Stadium. In 1979 he was named assistant general manager.[2] On February 17, 1983, Sullivan was promoted to general manager.[3][4]

During his tenure as GM, the Patriots had a 66–65 record and made the playoffs twice, including an appearance in Super Bowl XX.

After the Patriots 1985 Divisional Playoff victory against the Los Angeles Raiders, Sullivan was struck by Raiders linebacker Matt Millen on the head with a helmet. Millen hit Sullivan in retaliation for Sullivan's heckling of Raider Howie Long from the sidelines.[5]

After Boston Herald reporter Lisa Olson complained of being sexually harassed in the Patriots' locker room, team chairman and majority owner Victor Kiam sought to suspend Sullivan. However, National Football League Commissioner Paul Tagliabue stepped in and prevented the suspension.[6]

On December 20, 1990, Kiam named Sam Jankovich named CEO of the Patriots and gave him complete control of the organization. On January 29, Sullivan announced his resignation.[7]

Post-Patriots

Since 1993, Sullivan has served as President of Game Creek Video, a company he founded that provides television production trucks for sporting events.[8]

References

  1. ↑ Dell'Apa, Frank (January 30, 1991). "Sullivan resigns from Patriots Loss of power seen as his downfall". Boston Globe. Retrieved 5 August 2011.
  2. 1 2 "Pat Sullivan gets Pats' post". Associated Press. May 18, 1979. Retrieved 5 August 2011.
  3. ↑ McDonough, Will (February 17, 1983). "Pat Sullivan Succeeds Kilroy". Boston Globe. Retrieved 5 August 2011.
  4. ↑ "Update". Record-Journal. February 17, 1983. Retrieved 5 August 2011.
  5. ↑ "Long, Millen Scuffle With Patriots' GM". Associated Press. January 6, 1986. Retrieved 5 August 2011.
  6. ↑ "Patriots' GM Patrick Sullivam was subject of suspension talk". The Boston Globe. October 1, 1980. Retrieved 5 August 2011.
  7. ↑ "Pat Sullivan quits as Patriots GM". Associated Press. January 30, 1991. Retrieved 5 August 2011.
  8. ↑ Donaldson, Jim (January 30, 2008). "After all these years, Sullivan still glad to be part of Pats". The Providence Journal. Retrieved 5 August 2011.
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