Flying Elvis

A blue and silver profile adopted during ownership turmoil that mirrored the franchise's future dominance.

The 'Flying Elvis' serves as the primary visual identity for the New England Patriots, adopted in 1993 under owner James Orthwein. This logo replaced the traditional red, white, and blue color scheme with a new palette of blue and silver, defying fan preference at the time. The design features a stylized profile of a colonial figure wearing a tricorn hat, characterized by dynamic stripes that suggest motion. While the franchise had previously used the 'Pat Patriot' logo developed by artist Phil Bissell in 1959, this modern iteration marked a significant shift in the team's branding as it moved toward Foxborough and eventually became known for its sustained success under Robert Kraft.

Quick Facts

Introduced: 1993
Team: New England Patriots
League: NFL
Predecessor: Pat Patriot
Primary colors: Blue, Silver

Lore & Background

The creation of this logo was part of a controversial overhaul orchestrated by owner James Orthwein in 1993, who defied overwhelming fan preference to commission a new visual identity. Alongside hiring coach Bill Parcells, Orthwein changed the team's primary colors from traditional red, white, and blue to blue and silver for the uniforms. The logo depicts a stylized colonial figure with stripes suggesting speed, replacing the 'Pat Patriot' mascot that had been in use since 1959. Although the design was initially met with mixed reactions, it became the face of the franchise during its most successful era. As Robert Kraft purchased the team and stadium in 1994, this emblem remained constant through the hiring of Bill Belichick and Tom Brady's rise to stardom, witnessing six Super Bowl victories and records such as the only undefeated 16-game regular season in 2007.

Reader's Guide

Fans seeking to understand the history of the Patriots' branding must look to the 1993 rebranding under James Orthwein. This is when the team switched from red, white, and blue to blue and silver and adopted this specific logo, replacing the original 'Pat Patriot.' The design features a profile with stripes that imply speed, distinguishing it from the static colonial soldier of the past. For collectors and historians, noting the timeline is crucial: the logo was introduced before Robert Kraft's 1994 purchase but remained through the entire dynasty era. It adorns helmets during every home game at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, a venue opened in 2002. The symbol represents the transition from the team's mediocre early years to its status as the seventh-most valuable sports team in the world by 2025.

Did You Know?

This logo has been used during all six Super Bowl victories won by the franchise under the Brady-Belichick era.
The original 'Pat Patriot' logo was developed in 1959 by artist Phil Bissell of The Boston Globe.
The team changed its name to the New England Patriots in 1971 before this logo was ever adopted.