Former Patriots equipment manager George Luongo to be among three recipients of Pro Football Hall of Fame's Awards of Excellence
He grew up in Winchester before settling in Westwood and served in the Army during World War II and helped the team out in an unofficial capacity during the AFL years when Luongo also worked as a pipefitter. According to the Patriots' 1971 media guide, Luongo took over as the team's equipment manager in 1970.
From the team's debut at Nickerson Field with stops at Fenway Park, Alumni Stadium, Harvard Stadium, and Foxboro Stadium, Luongo never missed a game. He was with the Patriots through three owners (Billy Sullivan, Victor Kiam, and James Orthwein) and 12 head coaches.
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Luongo received the 2019 Gridiron Club of Greater Boston Man of the Year Award.
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Gray worked for the Bengals since the team's inception in the AFL in 1968 and attended all 644 games in the preseason, regular season and playoffs through 1999.
Ryan began his career as a teenager with the Vikings in 1975 as a part-time employee. In 1981, he became the NFL's youngest equipment manager at 21 years old. He stayed with the organization for 47 seasons, accumulating a streak of 705 consecutive games worked until COVID-19 protocols kept him off the sideline.
Longtime assistant coaches Dick Hoak, Elijah Pitts, and Jim McNally; public relations directors Pete Abitante, Jason Jenkins, and Bill Keenist; and athletic trainers Ed Block, Pepper Burruss, and John Norwig were previously selected for awards that will be handed out at a ceremony in June. The Hall will later announce winners for film and video directors.
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