Pro Football Hall of Fame: Richard Seymour anchored Patriots dynasty in 2000s
New England Patriots legendary defensive tackle Richard Seymour was inducted into the Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio today.
Seymour was the Patriots’ first round pick in 2001, a rookie for their Super Bowl XXXVI campaign and an integral part of the first dynasty. While Tom Brady is obviously the spark plug to the Patriots dynasties, Seymour was a center piece for the defenses that led the way early in Tom Brady’s career.
Seymour’s accolades with the Patriots include five Pro Bowl selections, three consecutive First Team All Pro Selection from 2003-2005 and an additional second team all pro selection in 2006.
Seymour is a member of the NFL All 2000’s decade team, the Pats’ Fiftieth Anniversary Team, and the New England Patriots Hall of Fame. He was consistently the most feared player defensively during the Patriots first dynasty and beyond. For nine years, Richard Seymour’s career in New England was nothing short of remarkable.
Most importantly of all his accolades, Seymour is a three time Super Bowl Champion with the New England Patriots
Reminiscing on Seymour’s time with New England, coach Bill Belichick said,
"He was one of the players that very quickly learned the techniques in the National Football League. He very quickly caught on and perfected his pass-rushing techniques and his run techniques to just become a dominant defensive lineman."
In 2009, Seymour was traded to the Oakland Raiders for a 2011 first round pick that ultimately turned into Nate Solder. Seymour initially refused to play for Oakland. Once he did settle in, he provided the Raiders with 2 Pro Bowl seasons, and added another second team all pro selection before retiring following the 2012 season.
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The early 2000s Patriots weren’t about big names. Out of stars like Rodney Harrison, Ty Law, Teddy Bruschi, Lawyer Milloy, Vince Wilfork, Ty Warren, only Law and Seymour are enshrined in Canton. But that’s the Patriot way, making it work as a team rather than on individual accomplishments.
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More Patriots will go to Canton in the coming years, assuming Tom Brady ever retires, and you can make a case for Devin McCourty, Vince Wilfork, Matthew Slater, and Julian Edelman, but for right now, a huge congratulations is in order for number 93, Richard Seymour. Today is about you. Thank you for everything you’ve contributed to the Patriots, New England, and the National Football League.