A proud alumnus

Page 2 of 2 -- Timpson left New England after the 1994 season as a free agent and signed with the Chicago Bears, where he played two years and then went on to play one more season with the Philadelphia Eagles before retiring.

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“It was the height of free agency,” said Timpson. “Chicago was there and they had a need and put some money on the table. New England had a chance to match it and (Bill) Parcells decided not to. It was a business decision. My heart will always be with the people that drafted me, but at the same time you need to do things from a business standpoint that makes sense.”

Timpson admits if the Patriots were run the way they are now, he may have not gone for the money.

“It’s a lot easier for the free agents now with the Patriots to stay because they have some rings to back it up,” said Timpson. “When I was there we had four coaching staff changes and four owners. The thing they have now is consistency. When you had the teams I was on with the inconsistency and not knowing what was going to happen most guys that had a free agent situation left for more money. I was no exception.”

For his career, Timpson caught 300 passes for 4,057 yards and 12 touchdowns. Timpson only saw the post-season one-time in 1994 when the Patriots fell 20-13 to the Cleveland Browns.

“There’s very few people that make it to the NFL and to last nine years I was fortunate,” said Timpson. “I didn’t have a stellar career, but I had a decent enough career. It was something that was very rewarding and I wouldn’t change it for anything. I don’t have any regrets with my career at all.”

As far as the current Patriots, Timpson is very proud to be an alumnus of one of the most successful teams in the NFL, fresh off their third Super Bowl victory in four years.

“I am just so proud to be associated with them and I still root for them as if I was there,” said Timpson. “I was there when Mr. Kraft just owned the stadium and it’s great to see him get through the tough times. It’s really a mark on his leadership and the stability he brought to the franchise.”