The countdown is on with only 78 days left before the New England Patriots’ regular season opener on September 10. So we’re celebrating by listing every Patriots player to wear the jersey number of each countdown day.
Today, we’re kick-starting things with the No. 78 jersey.
It’s hard not to think of Patriots Hall of Famer Bruce Armstrong when thinking of No. 78. The star offensive tackle helped fortify the Patriots’ offensive front for over a decade, while also securing six Pro Bowls and three All-Pro nods.
He was so good that his jersey number was ultimately retired by the Patriots. But there were clearly others that wore the jersey before Armstrong arrived on the team.
Here is every player to wear the No. 78 jersey with the Patriots (via Pro Football Reference):
OT Bruce Armstrong: 1987-2000
G Eric Stokes: 1987
DL Marshall Harris: 1983
C Art Kuehn: 1983
DE Ron Spears: 1982-1983
DE Tony McGee: 1974-1981
G Willie Banks: 1973
DE Dennis Byrd: 1968
OT Jim Boudreaux: 1966-67
