Former Players Lead Hall Charge for the New England Patriots

The Pro Football Hall of Fame’s selection process often relies on advocacy—and for the New England Patriots, a group of iconic former players has taken the lead in pushing for their dynasty-era teammates to receive football’s highest honor. From Tom Brady to Bill Belichick, these legends are using their platforms to highlight the careers of overlooked Patriots stars, arguing that their contributions to New England’s six Super Bowl wins deserve recognition in Canton. Former Players Lead Hall Charge for the New England Patriots explores this grassroots movement, the players at its center, and how it’s reshaping the narrative around the Patriots’ historic success. For a franchise with a legacy built on teamwork, this effort is a fitting tribute to the “next man up” culture that defined their dynasty.

Former Players Lead Hall Charge for the New England Patriots begins with the most high-profile advocate: Tom Brady. The seven-time Super Bowl champion has been vocal in recent months about two of his former defensive teammates—safety Rodney Harrison and defensive lineman Richard Seymour—who have been snubbed by Hall of Fame voters in previous years. During a segment on his “Let’s Go!” podcast, Brady called Harrison “the heart of our defense” and criticized voters for overlooking his physicality and leadership. “Rodney didn’t just make plays—he changed games,” Brady said. “He’s the reason we won Super Bowl XXXIX. How do you have a Hall of Fame without a guy who did what he did for us?” Brady has also championed Seymour, a three-time Super Bowl winner and seven-time Pro Bowler, noting that his ability to stop the run and rush the passer made him “irreplaceable” on New England’s defense. Brady’s advocacy carries weight: as the NFL’s all-time leading passer and a sure-fire Hall of Famer himself, his endorsement has brought renewed attention to Harrison and Seymour’s cases.

A key focus of Former Players Lead Hall Charge for the New England Patriots is the collective effort from the Patriots’ “Core Four” and other dynasty-era stars. Wide receiver Wes Welker, who played for New England from 2007 to 2012, has joined Brady in advocating for Harrison, sharing stories of Harrison’s locker room speeches and late-game heroics on social media. “Rodney was the guy who kept us accountable,” Welker wrote in a recent Instagram post. “He’d get on rookies and veterans alike if we weren’t giving 100%. That’s the kind of leadership that doesn’t show up in stats—but it wins championships.” Defensive back Devin McCourty, who retired in 2022, has also spoken out for Seymour, telling NFL Network that Seymour “paved the way for guys like me” by setting a standard for defensive excellence. Even Bill Belichick, who rarely comments on Hall of Fame matters, broke his silence in a press conference last month, calling Seymour “one of the best defensive players I’ve ever coached” and Harrison “a competitor who embodied everything we stand for.” This unified front has caught the attention of Hall of Fame voters, with several analysts noting that Harrison and Seymour are now “serious candidates” for the 2026 class.

Former Players Lead Hall Charge for the New England Patriots also examines the specific cases for Harrison and Seymour, and why their candidacies have been debated. Harrison, a two-time Super Bowl winner with New England, ranks 11th all-time in NFL history with 34 interceptions and 30 sacks—a rare combination of ball-hawking and physicality. Yet he’s been overlooked in part due to his reputation as a “dirty player” (he was suspended twice for hits to the head), a label former teammates say is unfair. “Rodney played the game hard, not dirty,” McCourty said. “He respected the rules—but he wasn’t going to let a receiver or running back get away with anything.” Seymour, meanwhile, has been a semifinalist for the Hall of Fame four times but never a finalist, despite being named to the NFL’s 2000s All-Decade Team. Former Patriots defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel, who coached Seymour, argues that his versatility hurt his case. “Richard could play tackle, end, even nose guard—whatever we needed,” Crennel said. “Voters sometimes don’t know how to categorize guys like that, but his impact was undeniable.” For the New England Patriots, this advocacy isn’t just about individual honors—it’s about recognizing the full breadth of their dynasty. Every Super Bowl win relied on players like Harrison and Seymour, not just Brady and Belichick, and former teammates are determined to make sure that’s not forgotten.

Another layer of Former Players Lead Hall Charge for the New England Patriots is the impact of this movement on current Hall of Fame voters. Several voters have acknowledged that the former players’ testimonials have changed their perspectives. “When you hear Tom Brady or Wes Welker talk about how important Rodney Harrison was, you have to listen,” said Peter King, a longtime Hall of Fame voter and NFL analyst. “These guys played with him every day. They know what he brought to the table.” King added that he now plans to include Seymour on his 2026 ballot, citing Belichick’s endorsement as a “game-changer.” The movement has also resonated with fans, who have launched social media campaigns (#InductHarrison and #SeymourForCanton) to support the former Patriots. For the New England Patriots, this groundswell of support is a reminder of the loyalty that defines their fan base—and their former players. Unlike some franchises where players go their separate ways after retirement, the Patriots’ dynasty stars have stayed connected, united by their shared success. This Hall of Fame push is an extension of that bond.

Looking ahead, Former Players Lead Hall Charge for the New England Patriots sets the stage for the 2026 Hall of Fame selection process, which begins with the announcement of semifinalists in November 2025. If Harrison and Seymour are inducted, they would join a small group of Patriots legends in Canton, including Brady (who will be eligible in 2028), Belichick (eligible in 2030), and John Hannah. Former players say this would be a fitting capstone to the dynasty era. “We won as a team, and we should be recognized as a team,” Welker said. “Getting Rodney and Richard into the Hall would mean the world to all of us who played with them.” For the New England Patriots, this effort is also about preserving their legacy for future generations. Young fans who didn’t watch the dynasty era need to understand that New England’s success wasn’t just about one or two players—it was about a roster full of stars who played for each other. The former players leading this charge are making sure that story is told.

Former Players Lead Hall Charge for the New England Patriots is ultimately a story of loyalty and respect. It’s about teammates who played together, won together, and now are fighting together to make sure their peers get the recognition they deserve. For the Patriots, this movement isn’t just about the Hall of Fame—it’s about honoring the culture that made their dynasty possible. As Brady put it during his podcast: “Football is a team sport. The Hall of Fame should reflect that. These guys helped us make history. Now it’s our turn to help them make history.” Whether Harrison and Seymour are inducted in 2026 or not, the former players’ effort has already left a mark—reminding everyone that the Patriots’ success was a collective achievement, and that every member of the team played a role in building one of the greatest dynasties in sports history.