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USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Jordy McElroy

51 days till Patriots season opener: Every player to wear No. 51 for New England

The New England Patriots are officially 51 days away from their regular season opener, which means we’re continuing out countdown series by listing every player that has ever worn the No. 51 throughout franchise history.

Third-year linebacker Ronnie Perkins currently wears the number that has been draped across the jerseys of 24 total Patriots players in the past. Former All-Pro linebacker and current Patriots linebackers coach Jerod Mayo was one of those players.

The former first-round draft pick stepped in as one of the new-age players to take over roles previously held by defensive legends like Tedy Bruschi and Mike Vrabel. He helped kick-start the second half of the Patriots’ three Super Bowl victories in a 17-year span.

Here’s every Patriots player that has ever worn the No. 51 (via Pro Football Reference):

LB Ronnie Perkins: 2021-2023

Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

LB Ja'Whaun Bentley: 2018-2020

AP Photo/Charles Krupa

LB Trevor Reilly: 2017

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

LB Barkevious Mingo: 2016

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

LB Jerod Mayo: 2008-2015

Elsa/Getty Images

LB Don Davis: 2003-2006

Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

LB Bryan Cox: 2001

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

LB Olrick Johnson: 2000

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

LB Bernard Russ: 1997-1999

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

LB David White: 1993

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

LB Eugene Lockhart: 1991-1992

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

LB Bruce Scholtz: 1989

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

LB Mel Black: 1987

USA TODAY Sports

LB Brian Ingram: 1982-1985

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

LB Bob Golic: 1979-1981

Herb Weitman-USA TODAY Sports

LB Donnie Thomas: 1976

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

LB Maury Damkroger: 1974-1975

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

LB Kent Carter: 1974

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

LB Ron Acks: 1972-1973

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

LB Randy Edmunds: 1971

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

LB Mike Ballou: 1970

Herb Weitman-USA TODAY Sports

LB Jim Fraser: 1966

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

LB Don McKinnon: 1963-1964

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
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