Former Patriots wide receiver and kicker Gino “The Duke” Cappelletti died Thursday morning, the team announced.
“My heart aches after learning of Gino Cappelletti’s passing this morning,” Patriots Chairman and CEO Robert Kraft said. “For the first 51 years of this franchise’s history, Gino contributed as an all-star player, assistant coach and broadcaster. You couldn’t be a Patriots fan during that era and not be a fan of Gino’s. The Patriots have had many iconic, fan-favorite players over the years. Gino was the first. I remember watching him play in 1960 and throughout his career. He was one of the AFL’s biggest stars, becoming the first Patriots player to earn league MVP honors and retiring as the league’s all-time leading scorer.