Patriots Sign Berry to Five-Year Contract

FOXBORO, Mass. — The New England Patriots rewarded Coach Raymond Berry for his success in the 1985 season with a five-year contract Thursday.

Berry, 53, led the Patriots to the American Football Conference championship and the Super Bowl, where they lost to the Chicago Bears, 46-10.

Berry replaced Ron Meyer at the midway point of the 1984 season, compiling a 4-4 record. The Patriots were 9-7 overall.

In 1985, the Patriots were 11-5, and then won three playoff games on the road to the Super Bowl.

Berry said while he never believed in long contracts, he felt his signing was a statement of commitment.

“I never signed a contract for more than a year as a player,” Berry said of his 13-year Hall of Fame career as a wide receiver with the Baltimore Colts. “With coaching, it’s a little different. It’s important for the fans and the players to see stability. I feel there’s a value in that.”

Owner William Sullivan Jr. said: “Raymond Berry has brought to our franchise a breath of life that we’d never had before. The fans of New England can look forward to a continuation of the progress the team has made.”

Terms of Berry’s new contract were not disclosed.