Houston Antwine

Those Patriots fans under 60 may not know the name of Houston Antwine. You certainly never saw him play. But you missed a lot. Antwine was a beast in the middle of the Patriots defensive line from 1961 to 71. The 6’0″ 270 pound defensive tackle was a force to be reckoned with, scarcely ever blocked by only one man.

Born April 11, 1939 in Louise, Mississippi, Antwine attended Southern Illinois University. There he excelled both on the football field and the wrestling mat. He was named to the Associated Press Little All-America team for his football play, and NAIA runner-up status in the heavyweight division in wrestling. Southern Illinois named him to their Athletic Hall of Fame in 1979.

Originally drafted by Houston in 1961, the Patriots got Antwine for a 3rd round pick before ever suiting up for the Oilers.

“In the 1960s, the defensive tackle tandem of Houston Antwine and Jim Lee Hunt was as good as any in the league. Houston’s play helped push the Patriots to our first division championship in 1963.” – Robert Kraft

Big number 65 made an immediate impact in Boston. The six-time AFL All-Star registered 39 sacks in his 11 years with the Patriots. Antwine led the team in sacks in 1967, ’68 and ’69.

He had three sacks of Buffalo Bills quarterback Dan Darragh in the opening week of the 1968 season. You see highlights of his sacks here.

On January 14th, 1970, he was selected as a member of the All-Time All-AFL Team.

He left the Patriots in 1972, and played one last season in Philadelphia before retiring.

Post Career Honors

In 2009, the Patriots Hall of Fame committee put ‘Twine on the Patriots 50th anniversary team. He made the Patriots’ All-1960s team and the franchise’s 10th anniversary and 35th anniversary teams. Later, Author Robert W Cohen selected Antwine as one of The 50 Greatest Patriots of All-Time in his 2015 book.[footnote]affiliate link[/footnote]

Houston Antwine passed away from heart failure in 2011. His wife Evelyn died of lung cancer less than 24 hours later. The Patriots inducted him into their Hall of Fame in 2015.

He should be remembered as one of the Patriots All-Time Greats.