The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced the nomination of 167 modern-era players for induction into the Class of 2025 on Wednesday and 13 former Patriots that were major contributors in New England are among them, along with a collection of players who spent brief stops in Foxborough.
Leading the way are first-time nominees Adam Vinatieri and Aqib Talib. Vinatieri joined the Patriots in 1995 and went on to win three titles, kicking Super-Bowl-winning field goals in two of them before spending the final 14 seasons of his career with the Colts. Talib spent two seasons with the Patriots and was one of their best cornerbacks, bringing a needed physical edge to the secondary.
Other significant Patriots players to be nominated include:
Corey Dillon - Dillon spent three seasons with the Patriots, winning Super Bowl 39 with New England. He rushed for 1,635 yards in 2004 with 12 touchdowns as the team's focal point in the offensive backfield.
Wes Welker - Welker was a key piece of the record-setting 2007 offense and remains New England's all-time receiving leader with 672 catches. Welker led the NFL in receptions in three seasons (2007, 2009, 2011) and broke 120 receptions twice with the Patriots.
Bruce Armstrong - Armstrong was a three-time second-team All-Pro and a six-time Pro Bowler as an offensive lineman for the Patriots from 1987-2000.
Logan Mankins - A 2005 first-round pick of the Patriots, Mankins was a first-team All-Pro in 2010 and was named a second-team All-Pro five times with seven Pro Bowls. The mauling guard was a key piece of Tom Brady's protection from 2005-2013.
Vince Wilfork - Wilfork won two bookend Super Bowls with the Patriots, one in 2004 and another in 2014 as he bridged the gap from the first part of the dynasty to the second. He was an All-Pro in 2012 and a four-time second-team All-Pro with five Pro Bowls.
Mike Vrabel - The most recent inductee into the Patriots own Hall of Fame, Vrabel spent 2001-2008 with the Pats, winning three titles as a key member of the team's shutdown defense. He was a first-team All-Pro in 2007, a year he also made the Pro Bowl.
Ben Coates - Coates spent nine seasons with the Patriots, seeing them go from a two-win team to a Super Bowl contender with many of the core dynasty pieces that would win multiple titles after his departure. He ranks tied for third in team history with 50 touchdown catches and sixth with 490 receptions.
Willie McGinest - McGinest has a pretty good case for enshrinement as well, still owning the all-time post-season sacks record (16). He played 12 seasons with the Pats and had some of the most iconic plays of the first dynasty defense. He made two Pro Bowls.
Tedy Bruschi - The heart and soul of the early-2000's Patriots defense, Bruschi made some of his biggest plays in the biggest playoff moments. He played 13 seasons, all with New England, making one Pro Bowl and twice being named a Second Team All-Pro.
Rodney Harrison - Harrison played nine seasons in San Diego before finishing his final five years with the Patriots, but he might be more remembered for leading New England to two Super Bowl titles and an undefeated season. He was the first NFL player with 30 sacks and 30 interceptions. Harrison was a Hall of Fame finalist for the first time last year.
Irving Fryar - The Patriots first overall pick in 1984 played nine years in New England, tallying 363 receptions for 5,726 yards and 38 touchdowns. He made the Pro Bowl in 1985 as the Patriots won the AFC Championship. He went back to the Pro Bowl three times in the 1990s.
Other nominees who spent time in New England include:
- Doug Flutie
- Larry Centers
- Fred Taylor
- Demaryius Thomas
- Torry Holt
- Reggie Wayne
- Brian Waters
- Ted Washington
- James Harrison
- Jeff Feagles
