Drew Bledsoe Will Hand Off AFC Championship Trophy If Patriots Beat Ravens

The Patriots are still a day away from their Sunday showdown with the Baltimore Ravens for the AFC championship, but they're already making plans to accept the conference champion's trophy. Former quarterback Drew Bledsoe will hand off the trophy if the Pats win tomorrow, according to ESPN Boston.

"He's a great guy and he represnts what's great about the NFL," owner Robert Kraft said on local television tonight. "We're happy he's an honorary captain tomorrow. If we should be lucky enough to win, he'll be the person handing the trophy off."

Bledsoe responded simply: "Really? Wow."

Bledsoe was the Patriots' No. 1 overall pick in the 1993 draft. He was their starting quarterback for eight seasons before Tom Brady replaced him due to injury in 2001. He never regained his starting job, instead finishing his career with the Bills and Cowboys. Bledsoe retired in 2006 after 44,611 career passing yards and 251 touchdowns.