Seven Patriots Advance in Pro Football Hall of Fame Voting

This year’s Pro Football Hall of Fame voting added an extra phase. Prior selections went from the original list of Modern Era nominees down to 25 semifinalists, then ten finalists, before picking that year’s honorees. This time, a second round that narrowed the field to 50 was added before naming the semifinalists. Seven former New England Patriots were among those who advanced.

The group of 50 included Patriots legends Rodney Harrison and Vince Wilfork. Both players were semifinalists last year, with Harrison becoming a first-time finalist. Adam Vinatieri, a member of New England’s first three championship teams, advanced in his first year of eligibility.

Tight end Ben Coates and offensive guard Logan Mankins joined the trio among the 50 players to advance.

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Running back Fred Taylor and linebacker James Harrison, both of whom played for the New England Patriots, rounded out the group with ties to the team. However, they are better remembered for their time with Jacksonville and Pittsburgh, respectively.

Ben Coates

Before Rob Gronkowski, Ben Coates was as close as the NFL got. The massive, athletic tight end was dominant as a receiver and a blocker. He played 10 seasons in the NFL (1991-2000), with the first nine coming in New England. Coates received first-team All-Pro honors twice and second-team once. He made five straight Pro Bowls from 1994 to 1998. He helped the Patriots win the 1996 AFC Championship and won Super Bowl 35 as a member of the 2000 Baltimore Ravens.

Coates retired with 499 receptions, 5,555 yards, and 50 touchdowns. He was a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s All-Decade Team of the 1990s. Coates was inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame in 2008.

Ben Coates was basically Gronk before Gronk. pic.twitter.com/N5KGWO61Vn

— NFL Legacy (@NFLLegacy) January 15, 2019

Rodney Harrison

Harrison began his NFL career with the San Diego Chargers. He played nine seasons with the Chargers (1994-2002) helping them win the 1994 AFC Championship. He made two Pro Bowls and was an All-Pro in 1998 with San Diego. The Patriots signed Harrison as a free agent in 2003. Rodney Harrison would play his final six seasons in Foxboro. He helped the 2003 and 2004 Patriots win back-to-back Super Bowls.

During those championship runs, Harrison had six interceptions in six postseason games. Harrison earned All-Pro honors once again in 2004. He was the starting safety on the 2007 Patriots, the first NFL team to finish with a 16-0 regular season record. Along with Pro Football Hall of Fame linebacker Ray Lewis, Rodney Harrison is one of only two players to record at least 30 sacks and 30 interceptions during their NFL careers. He was inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame in 2019.

Logan Mankins

The Patriots drafted Logan Mankins in the first round of the 2005 NFL Draft. He played 11 NFL seasons, including the first nine in New England. Mankins helped the 2007 and 2011 teams win the AFC Championship, with the 2007 team finishing 16-0 for the first time in NFL history. He earned a first-team All-Pro nod in 2010 and made the second-team five times. He was a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s All-Decade Team of the 2010s, despite retiring after the 2015 season.

Adam Vinatieri

If any placekicker belongs in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and two are in already, it is hard to argue against Adam Vinatieri’s induction. He played ten seasons for the New England Patriots, helping them with the 1996 AFC Championship as a rookie. Vinatieri went on to win three Super Bowls with New England, including game-winning field goals in two. He went on to play 14 more seasons with the Indianapolis Colts, playing in two more Super Bowls and winning his fourth.

Vinatieri was a three-time Pro Bowl selection and three-time first-team All-Pro. He retired as the NFL’s all-time leader in field goals (599) and points scored (2,673). Vinatieri was one of two kickers chosen for the NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team in 2019,

Clutch kick after clutch kick. @adamvinatieri #NFL100 pic.twitter.com/EebApYxVyd

— NFL (@NFL) December 7, 2019

Vince Wilfork

New England made Vince Wilfork a first-round pick in the 2004 NFL Draft. He played the first 11 of his 13 NFL seasons with the Patriots before joining the Houston Texans for the final two. Wilfork helped the Patriots win Super Bowl 39 as a rookie. He would add a second Super Bowl ring ten years later. Like Harrison and Mankins, Wilfork was a starter on the 16-0 AFC Championship team in 2007. He made five Pro Bowls and earned first-team All-Pro in 2012. He received second-team All-Pro honors three times.

Wilfork played in four Super Bowls and seven AFC Championship Games. He is one of ten players in NFL history to start 22 or more postseason games, and only one defensive player started more. New England inducted Wilfork into the Patriots Hall of Fame in 2022.

Always hungry 🍽 @wilfork75 pic.twitter.com/DgVAY1TQem

— NFL Legacy (@NFLLegacy) August 20, 2021

Not Making the Cut

On the original list of Modern Era candidates for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2025 included 167 players. With that number reduced to 50, there are 14 former Patriots no longer under consideration. The list of players who did not advance in this year’s voting includes QB Doug Flutie, RB Corey Dillon, RB Steven Jackson, FB Larry Center, WR Irving Fryar, WR Chad Johnson, WR Wes Welker, OT Bruce Armstrong*, OG Brian Waters, DT Ted Washington, LB Tedy Bruschi*, LB Willie McGinest*, LB Mike Vrabel*, and CB Aqib Talib (*member of the Patriots Hall of Fame).

The semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2025 will be announced next month.