New England Patriots Announce 2019 Inductee To Team Hall Of Fame

The New England Patriots announced their 2019 inductee to the team’s Hall of Fame.

The Hall of Fame committee gathered together in the offseason to determine the finalists for the Hall. Fans selected Rodney Harrison, and Mike Vrabel and Richard Seymour went down the list. This is the first year he is an finalist for the team’s Hall of Fame. Vrabel is here for the fourth time and Seymour is a finalist for three years.

Harrison joined the New England Patriots in 2003 after playing nine years with the San Diego Chargers.

During his time with the Patriots, Harrison totaled 441 tackles, nine sacks and eight interceptions. Harrison was dominant in his first two seasons in New England. He led the defensive backs in tackles both years. In his playoff game, Harrison added 56 more tackles, seven interceptions, two forced fumbles, two sacks and a touchdown. His seven playoff interceptions are tied for the third most in NFL postseason history. Harrison’s four picks in the 2004 playoffs are tied for the third most by a football player in a single postseason. Harrison is the all-time leader in sacks by a defensive back (30.5). Nine of his quarterback takedowns happened during his time with the Patriots.

Harrison was vote capitaion in each of his years in New England.

The safety had an important role in two Patriots Super Bowl championships, and was a key figure in the defensive line. Harrison is the seventh player from those Super Bowl squads to be inducted in the Patriots Hall of Fame. He will now join Troy Brown, Tedy Bruschi, Ty Law, Willie McGinest, Kevin Faulk and Matt Light. 

Leon Gray was elected to the 2019 class by a senior committee. Gray died at 49 in 2001, and became one of the best left tackles in the NFL. In 1977, his offensive line allowed a franchise low 14 sacks on the season. He and Pro Football Hall of Famer John Hannah built one of the greatest tackle-guard duos in the NFL.

Gray was a four time Pro Bowl selection and a three-time First-Team All-Pro after spending 11 years in the league. He was named to the Patriots’ All-1970s Team and is the third Patriots Hall of Famer to be inducted by the senior selection committee.

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