Andre Tippett was one of the greatest linebackers in NFL history, spending his entire 12-year career with the Patriots. A strong-side linebacker who excelled at rushing the passer, Tippett set the record for most sacks over a two-year period with 35 in the 1984 and 1985 seasons and holds the franchise record for career sacks with 100. In 1985, he was named the Defensive Player of the Year for the AFC Champion Patriots. Since his retirement, Tippett has worked for the Patriots and currently serves as the team’s Executive Director of Community Affairs. Tippett was voted into the Patriots Hall of Fame in 1999 and enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2008. The Massachusetts native is active in local youth football and coaches a Pop Warner team. Inducted 1999.
11 seasons
2 All-Pro selections
5 Pro Bowls
3 NFL Linebacker of the Year awards
“I want to talk to you about Major Luke Worsham who was my high school coach. He is the guy who really taught me and showed me what love was all about. Because he would shoulder my problems, he would always stand by me to offer me encouragement when things got tough and when things were going awry he would make sure he would correct me and get me right back on track.”
Induction speech at the Pro Football Hall of Fame
Number: 56
Position: Linebacker
Height: 6-3
Weight: 240
College: Iowa