Gentlemen,

This jersey is definitely not Steve Nelson's as he wore #57 during his entire career for the Patriots. It most likely was worn by Edmund Nelson, a defensive lineman (nose guard and end) out of Auburn, who played in 12 games for the Pats in 1988.

I have not been able to locate a 1988 Pats program to confirm Edmund Nelson's jersey number. He is not listed on the Pats roster in any of the preseason magazines (Street & Smith and others), but both the NFL Encyclopedia and the 1989 NFL Record & Fact Book (an official NFL publication) confirm that he played in 12 games in 1988.

Edmund Nelson wore #64 while playing with the Steelers from 1982 through 1987, so it would seem logical that he wore #65 as a nose guard for New England. Perhaps someone out there has a Pats game program from 1988 and can confirm Edmund Nelson's number.

Hope this information is helpful.

Mark Hayne
Gridiron Exchange