Richard Seymour to be inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame

Richard Seymour will become the 30th member of the Patriots Hall of Fame. He was voted in by fans, beating out Mike Vrabel and Bill Parcels.

One of the most dominant defensive linemen in team history will forever be remembered as a part of the Patriots Hall of Fame.

On Monday, Richard Seymour was announced as the next inducted into the Patriots Hall. He beat out former linebacker Mike Vrabel and coach Bill Parcels in a fan vote. Seymour will become the 30th inductee in franchise history to go into the team’s Hall of Fame. He’ll also become the seventh player to be inducted with three Super Bowl rings joining Matt Light (2018), Kevin Faulk (2016), Willie McGinest (2015), Ty Law (2014), Tedy Bruschi (2013) and Troy Brown (2012).

For Seymour, it was only a matter of time before he was enshrined in Foxboro. He was most recently a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

"Richard Seymour laid the foundation for a defense that helped propel the Patriots to three Super Bowl championships in his first four seasons in the NFL," said Patriots Chairman and CEO Robert Kraft in a statement. "Richard was the consummate professional and leader, always accepting the roles he was assigned, putting team goals ahead of personal ones, and in turn, raising the game of everyone around him. Yet as great as he was as a player, he is a Hall of Fame-caliber person, as well. I couldn't be happier for Richard and the Seymour family, and I am looking forward to celebrating with them as Richard takes his rightful place in the Patriots Hall of Fame and very soon the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton."

Drafted by the Patriots sixth overall in the 2001 NFL Draft, Seymour spent his first eight NFL seasons in New England. A 6-foot-6, 317-pound defensive lineman, Seymour had the ability to play both defensive end and defensive tackle. Simply put, he was dominant.

Seymour became a Pro Bowl player by his second season in 2002. That started a stretch where he was a Pro Bowler for five-straight seasons (2002-2006). His first Pro Bowl bids are the most by any Patriots defensive lineman in team history. He was also a First-team All-Pro for three-straight seasons from 2003-2005. He was also a four-time team captain. In that time, he also anchored a Patriots defense that helped the franchise to three Super Bowl titles – Super Bowl XXXVI, XXXVIII and XXXIX.

Seymour was also named to the Patriots 50th Anniversary Team, the Patriots All-2000s Team and the NFL 2000s All-Decade Team.

Before being traded to the Oakland Raiders in 2009, Seymour started 105-of-111 games with the Pats. He amassed 460 tackles and 39 sacks. In total, he played in 15 playoff games with the Patriots, making 66 tackles 4.5 sacks and two fumble recoveries. Seymour also holds the Patriots record with six blocked field goals in his career. He also had a blocked kick in the playoffs.

Seymour will be enshrined at a ceremony later this year. The date is to be determined.

mdaniels@providencejournal.com

On Twitter: @MarkDanielsPJ