Seymour gets nod as 30th entrant into Patriots Hall of Fame

While he's been on the doorstep of getting the coveted gold jacket for entry into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Richard Seymour won't mind if the color is different on this occasion.

Seymour outpolled fellow finalists Mike Vrabel and Bill Parcells via fan ballot to become the 30th entrant into the Patriots Hall of Fame, it was announced Monday.

That means, a red jacket is in order for the three-time Super Bowl winning defensive end.

He's the seventh player with three rings from the early run of championships to gain entry. He joins Troy Brown (2012), Tedy Bruschi (2013), Kevin Faulk (2016), Ty Law (2014), Matt Light (2018) and Willie McGinest

(2015).

The defensive end, drafted by the Patriots sixth overall in the first round of the 2001 NFL Draft, was a dominant player on those teams, earning five Pro Bowl selections while with the Patriots.

"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," Patriots owner Robert Kraft said 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."

Seymour has been a finalist for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on two occasions. He got in to the Pats Hall on his fourth try. Parcells, a polarizing figure in New England, wasn't voted in on his fourth try. It was Vrabel's 5th attempt.

The date and time for the 2020 Patriots Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be announced at a later date.