Sports
Terry Glenn, Former Patriots Star Receiver, Dies In Crash
The recipient of Tom Brady's first touchdown pass helped New England reach a Super Bowl as a rookie. He was 43 years old.
A member of the 1996 AFC Champion New England Patriots has died. Former Patriots wide receiver Terry Glenn died in an overnight car crash in Irving, Texas. He was 43 years old.
Glenn was drafted by the Patriots out of Ohio State in 1996 and helped take New England to the Super Bowl in his rookie season. During his six years in Foxborough, he caught 329 balls for 4,669 yards and 22 touchdowns.
“We were shocked and deeply saddened by today’s news that Terry Glenn died in an auto accident,” Patriots Chairman and CEO Robert Kraft said in a release. “Terry was one of the most gifted receivers we have ever had. For so many Patriots fans, his rookie season will be remembered as one of the most impactful in franchise history."
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Glenn's 90 receptions in his first pro season were a rookie record at the time. But difficulties on and off the field led to inconsistent play. At one point during the 1996 NFL season, head coach Bill Parcells referred to Glenn as "she" when he was asked about a pulled hamstring Glenn suffered.
While he was the team's leading receiver in 1999 Pro Bowl season and 2000, he was arrested prior to the 2001 season for domestic violence and was suspended for the first four games of the season for failing a drug test. Glenn's last great contribution to the Patriots came that season against the San Diego Chargers when he caught Tom Brady's first touchdown pass.
Find out what's happening in Foxboroughwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Glenn played four games that season before he was deactivated from the roster. His fate was sealed following an infamous interview on WBZ's Sports Final where he was asked by Steve Burton if he still wanted to play for the Patriots.
"I did," Glenn said.
When Burton responded with a clarification, Glenn said, "D-I-D. I did." Glenn never played for the Patriots again.
Prior to the 2002 season, he was traded to the Green Bay Packers and then traded again in 2003 to the Dallas Cowboys, where he spent the rest of his career. He retired in 2008.
Watch Now: Former Patriots Star Receiver Dies In Car Crash
Image Credit: AP Photo/Jim Rogash
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