Foxborough, Mass. — December 2025
The New England Patriots have announced they will cover the full cost of cancer treatment for one of the most revered figures in franchise history — a player whose dominance, loyalty, and quiet leadership helped shape the Patriots long before championships became routine.
Team chairman Robert Kraft shared the news in a statement that reflected the organization’s commitment to honoring those who built its foundation.
“He gave this franchise everything he had for more than a decade,”
Kraft said. “Now it’s our responsibility to stand with him. Once you are part of the Patriots family, you are never alone.”
That promise is being extended to Andre Tippett
, the Hall of Fame linebacker who defined defensive excellence in New England for an entire generation. Tippett, now 66, spent all 12 seasons of his NFL career with the Patriots, becoming one of the most feared and respected pass rushers of his era.
From 1982 to 1993, Tippett recorded 100 career sacks, a franchise record that still stands today. His blend of power, speed, and football intelligence made him nearly unblockable off the edge, and his presence transformed the Patriots’ defense into one of the most disruptive units in the league throughout the 1980s.
Tippett earned five Pro Bowl selections, two First Team All-Pro honors, and was widely recognized as one of the premier defensive players of his generation before his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Yet even more than the accolades, it was his consistency, professionalism, and loyalty to New England that made him beloved inside the building and across the fan base.
Teammates often described Tippett as the tone setter — a player who didn’t speak loudly, but whose work ethic and preparation demanded respect. He was the kind of leader who raised standards simply by showing up every day and doing his job at the highest possible level.
Now, as Tippett faces a battle far greater than any offensive line he ever encountered, the Patriots’ decision to fully support his medical care has resonated deeply throughout the football world. Former teammates, coaches, and fans have flooded social media with messages of support, gratitude, and admiration.
For Patriots Nation, Andre Tippett is more than a Hall of Famer. He is a symbol of loyalty before dynasties, greatness before glory, and character before fame.
And now, as he fights his most personal battle, New England is standing beside him — not as a team, not as a business, but as a family.
Because legends don’t just build franchises. They become them.
