An original

Gino Cappelletti, already in the Patriot's Hall of Fame for his play on the field, will one day be enshrined again for his broadcasting career. The longtime Pats radio commentator called it a second career, retiring from the booth and opening the door for Zo to take over. (Zo. That's a topic for another day).

Gino has been broadcasting Patriots game for 32 years, since I was 18. He did some announcing in the '70s before taking a spot on the Pats coaching staff for a few years. He came back to radio in 1988, right about the time I bought my first season tickets. I've spent a lot of Sundays hanging in the parking lot with friends listening to Gino's voice echoing out of dozens of radios.

Before he became a radio fixture, Cappelletti was one of the greatest players in the history of the AFL. He was one of the stars that helped establish the rival to the mighty NFL and played for its entire 10-year existence. The mega-success that the NFL is today was built by guys like Gino. You've heard the term two-way player? Two wasn't enough for Gino. He kicked field goals, was a prolific wide receiver, played defensive back, returned kicks, and even threw a touchdown pass. He finished as the all-time leading scorer for the AFL with an amazing 1,100 points. In 1964 he scored a ridiculous 155 points in just 14 games. He was the league's MVP that year. I was too young to remember watching him play but there's a video of him walking off the field at either BU or Fenway after another great performance and he is surrounded by a swarm of adoring fans. Gino was as big a star athlete as they come.

He brought that celebrity to the booth where he teamed up with play-by-play man Gil Santos. The two made a great radio duo. They had to endure a lot of bad, bad football but they always brought insight and enjoyment to those of us listening. After years of frustration Gino and Gill got to experience -- along with the rest of us -- the unexpected joy of a Super Bowl championship. It's one of the greatest calls in broadcasting history. My favorite part is the sound of Gino laughing with delight in the background. No words. Just the kind of uncontrollable laughter that comes from disbelief that something great has finally happened. Gino's laugh captured the feeling of all Pats fans that day.

As he got a little older he started to become a little more goofy and forgetful. It happens to us all. But he still knew his stuff. He was a homer. No doubt about it. That's what you get with the local broadcasting team. Johnny Most. Tom Heinsohn. Derek Sanderson. But Gino was a little different. Sure, he was rooting for the Pats. Of course he was. He was the original Patriot. But he was not one to blame the refs or the fates. When the Past stunk -- and till about 10 years ago that was often -- he was quick to say so. His patience for bad football was evident in his voice. As a fan that was a good thing.

Gino's voice has been echoing through the parking lots in Foxborough for every game I have been to. I'll miss hearing that this fall.