The New England Patriots are currently in their 66th season, and for 51 of them Nancy Meier has been part of the organization. Now, the team’s longest-tenured employee is getting ready for retirement.
Meier will not extend her contract after it runs out in May, according to a report by Ben Fischer of Sports Business Journal.
Originally joining the team as administrative assistant in 1974, she was hired to work full-time in the scouting department the following October. Through the years, she became an irreplaceable part of the operation and most recently served as director of scouting administration, a role that focused logistical matters for coaches, scouts, signings, draft picks and tryouts as well as communication with the league.
During her time with the Patriots, the 70-year-old worked in two different facilities, saw three ownership changes, 11 head coaches, and hundreds of players — including multiple Hall of Famers — coming and going. She also is among a select group of people owning six Super Bowl rings from the franchise’s dynasty days, and has been part of 27 of the team’s 28 playoff seasons.
Back in January, Meier was honored for her 50th anniversary with the club.
After this current season, she will say goodbye to One Patriot Place.
“Sometimes I feel like I’m ready and not ready all at the same time,” Meier told SBJ. “A lot of days, it hasn’t felt like work, and then some days it can feel a little overwhelming. But I just want to be sure that I’ve taken some time for myself and my family, to find things outside of Foxboro at 11 a.m. that I never know about.”
Meyer, who has two children and four grandchildren, will still stay busy in retirement. And she also does not rule out the possibility of staying involved with football as well, albeit in a different capacity.
“[O]nce football season rolls around, who knows, I maybe will pick up something,” she said. “I know a lot of people in a lot of places; maybe somebody will want a little help with something, so it may not be totally the end of the road.”
