BOSTON (AP) – Jim Colclough, an original member of the Boston Patriots and one of the top receivers in franchise history, died Sunday night of complications of hepatitis C.

He was 68.

In his nine seasons in the American Football League, all with the Patriots, Colclough had 283 receptions, seventh in team history, for 5,001 yards and 39 touchdowns in 126 games. He is third in club history with an average of 17.7 yards per catch and fourth in scoring catches.

“We are deeply saddened by the news of Jim’s passing,” Robert Kraft, owner of the team that became the New England Patriots in 1971, said in a statement. “Like so many of his teammates, Jim represented the Patriots with great dignity, both on and off the field, and proudly remained an active part of the New England community for more than four decades.”

Colclough, lived in Brewster the past five years. He was born in Medford, grew up in Quincy and attended Boston College. He coached Boston State in 1978 and 1979 and later worked in the financial services field.

He turned pro as a defensive back in the Canadian Football League, where he played one season in 1959. In 1960, he signed with the Patriots in the new AFL. In his first season, he led them with 49 catches for 666 yards and nine touchdowns.

He led them again with nine scoring receptions in 1961 and 10 in 1962.

The Patriots traded him to the New York Jets after the 1965 season but reacquired him before the 1966 season.

Colclough, who died at Massachusetts General Hospital, is survived by his wife and five children. A daughter predeceased him.

AP-ES-05-17-04 2022EDT

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