Drew's Biography
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QB Drew Bledsoe
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"With the first overall pick in the draft...The Patriots
select Quarterback Drew Bledsoe."
• Drew was selected as the first overall pick in the
1993 NFL draft (4/25/93).
• He signed with the Patriots on July 6, 1993.
• Signed a seven-year contract extension on July 20, 1995.
In 1996, his fourth year in the NFL, Drew Bledsoe passed for
more than 4,000 yards for the second time in his career. He became only the fourth
quarterback to accomplish that feat, which lead the Patriots
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Position: Quarterback
Height: 6-5
Weight: 233
Year: 6th Year
Draft: 1st - 1993
College: Washington State
Born: February 14, 1972
Ellensburg, Washington
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to the AFC Championship. He is the youngest passer in NFL history to surpass 10,000
career yards.
In 1994, his second season, Bledsoe entered the record books, setting all-time NFL
marks for pass attempts in a season (691), attempts in a game (70) and completions
in a game (45), while leading the league's top passing offense. In 1995, he led the
AFC in pass attempts with 636. In addition, he holds nearly all of the Patriots'
single-season and single-game passing records.
Bledsoe was an all-state player at Walla Walla (Washington) High School. In only
three seasons at
Washington State, he finished second in school history in passing yardage, touchdowns,
and completions. Chosen by New England as the No. 1 overall pick in the 1993 NFL
Draft, he proved to be the right choice, as the Patriots' passing offense jumped
from 26th in the NFL to 12th.
In the 10th game of the 1994 season against Minnesota, Bledsoe had a career day.
In a come-from-behind overtime thriller, he set single-game records for attempts
(70) and completions (45), leading New England to a 26-20 victory. In the second
half, he completed 37 of 53 attempts for three touchdowns and no interceptions. The
victory ignited a seven-game win streak, catapulting the Patriots into the playoffs
for the first time since 1986. Bledsoe's season total of 4,555 yards was the eighth-best
in NFL history, and he earned a trip to the Pro Bowl. He was the second-youngest
quarterback ever selected.
Active in several New England charities, Bledsoe also has endowed a scholarship at
Washington State in honor of his grandfather.
Drew, his wife Maura, and their baby son Stu live in Washington.
TRUE FACTS:
...In 1994, Bledsoe helped five teammates became the first quintet in NFL history
to surpass 50 or more catches in the same season, as Ben Coates, Michael Timpson,
Leroy Thompson, Vincent Brisby, and Kevin Turner all topped 50 receptions.
...His first ever completion was thrown to FB Sam Gash, now with the Buffalo Bills.
