I’m truly in awe at how many incredible Patriots have been inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame. When I think of all the amazing contributions Patriots like Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski and Randy Moss have made to the game, it really is awe-inspiring.
I was especially thrilled when I heard that Brady got inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2021. After considering that Brady is a six-time Super Bowl champion, it’s hard to believe that it took that long for him to be inducted. Not only does Brady have more Super Bowl wins than any other player in NFL history, he also has made a lasting impact on the game.
As I heard the news about Brady’s induction, I couldn’t help but think of other Patriots who predated him – like Art Shell and Andre Tippett. As the first African American head coach in the modern NFL era and the fourth Pro Football Hall of Fame linebacker in Patriots history, respectively, Shell and Tippett are true trailblazers.
Then there’s Adam Vinatieri, a player worthy of the nickname “The Iceman”. He won three Super Bowls with the Patriots and earned the last-minute field goal for two of them. It’s amazing to think that this one player is responsible for some of the most iconic moments in NFL history.
I’m also in awe of the statues of John Hannah on the campus of the University of Alabama and of Pat Patriot at Gillette Stadium. Hannah was the first Patriot inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and Pat Patriot is the team’s mascot. It’s a fitting tribute to the team and its legacy.
But, there’s still so much more to the New England Patriots’ greatness. In the late 90s and early 2000s, Bill Belichick and Tom Brady formed a legendary partnership that resulted in five more Lombardi Trophies for the team. No other team in the NFL has been more successful during this time.
The number of Patriots who have been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame continues to grow every year, and it’s truly remarkable. From Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski and Randy Moss to Art Shell, Andre Tippett and Adam Vinatieri, these players are true legends in their own right. From their contributions to the game to the awe-inspiring statues, the New England Patriots’ legacy has been further immortalized in the Hall of Fame.