New England Patriots: 4 best players in franchise history
A look at the top players in New Englands Patriots' franchise history
The New England Patriots were founded in 1959 as the Boston Patriots, and they eventually joined the NFL in the 1970 merger.
Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady took over as the faces of the franchise in 2000. Brady replaced Drew Bledsoe early in the season and led the Patriots to their first Super Bowl title. Since then, New England claimed 16 out of 18 AFC East titles and the Patriots won six Super Bowls during the Belichick/Brady era. As a franchise, they are tied with the Pittsburgh Steelers for the most Super Bowl victories in league history.
The Patriots have had some fantastic players come through their organization. Defensive linemen Vince Wilfork and Richard Seymour, cornerback Mike Haynes, wide receivers Randy Moss, Wes Welker and Troy Brown, future Hall of Fame kicker Adam Vinatieri, offensive lineman Logan Mankins and linebackers Andre Tippett, Tedy Bruschi and Mike Vrabel were all key cogs for New England.
When you're an all-time great franchise, it's hard to narrow it down to the four best players in team history.
So, when it comes down to the best of the best, which players can line up on the Mount Rushmore of Patriots? Read below for a list of the four greatest players the franchise has ever seen.
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TOM BRADY
Tom Brady, arguably the greatest quarterback of all-time, is a no-brainer for the Patriots' Mount Rushmore. (AP Photo/Mark Tenally, File)
It's a no-doubt-about-it selection. Yes, Tom Brady, arguably the greatest quarterback of all-time, is on the Patriots' Mount Rushmore. The future Hall of Famer spent 20 seasons with New England, played in nine Super Bowls, and has six titles, which is the most of any player in NFL history. Brady also has a league-record four Super Bowl MVPs.
Brady, the 199th draft pick in the 2000 NFL Draft, is also a three-time regular-season MVP, 14-time Pro Bowler, and five-time All-Pro, three of which are first-team selections. Brady was the NFL Comeback Player of the Year in 2009, he led the league in passing yards three times, passer rating twice, and passing touchdowns and completion percentage once each.
Now a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Brady was a part of the NFL's 2000s All-Decade Team, and he was a unanimous selection for the 2010s All-Decade Team. He was also a lock for the NFL's 100th Anniversary All-Time Team. Five years after he retires, Brady will undoubtedly be a first-ballot Hall of Famer, and he will be inducted into the Patriots' Hall of Fame.
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JOHN HANNAH
John Hannah is considered to be an all-time great lineman. (AP Photo)
John Hannah, a left guard for the Patriots from 1973-1985, is one of the greatest offensive linemen in NFL history. Back in 1999, Sporting News ranked Hannah as the second-best offensive lineman of all-time behind Cincinnati Bengals legend Anthony Munoz.
Hannah, the inaugural induction into the Patriots' Hall of Fame, was a nine-time Pro Bowler and 10-time All-Pro during his playing career. He was a part of the NFL's '70s and '80s All-Decade Teams, as well as the league's 75th and 100th Anniversary All-Time Teams.
Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1991, Hannah has his No. 73 jersey retired by the Patriots.
ROB GRONKOWSKI
Rob Gronkowski is one of the best tight ends in NFL history. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Rob Gronkowski, who won three Super Bowls in nine seasons with the Patriots, is arguably one of the greatest tight ends to ever play in the NFL.
In 2011, Gronkowski led the NFL with 17 receiving touchdowns, and, to this day, he is the only player at his position to lead the league in that category. He also has the most career postseason receiving yards by a tight end (1,163). Gronkowski has 12 receiving touchdowns in the postseason, which is the most at the position, and he has 23 receptions and 297 receiving yards in the Super Bowl, which is also the most for a tight end in NFL history.
Gronkowski, the 2014 Comeback Player of the Year, is a four-time first-team All-Pro, and five-time Pro Bowler. He was a part of the NFL's 2010s All-Decade Team, as well as the league's 100th Anniversary All-Time Team.
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TY LAW
Ty Law is a three-time Super Bowl champion with the Patriots. (AP Photo)
All-time great cornerback Ty Law was a part of the Patriots from 1995 to 2004. Law, a three-time Super Bowl champion with New England, was a five-time Pro Bowl selection, as well as two-time first-team All-Pro honoree.
Law led the NFL in interceptions twice (1998 and 2005), and his 53 career interceptions currently ranks 24th all-time in NFL history. He famously intercepted St. Louis Rams quarterback Kurt Warner in Super Bowl XXXVI and returned it 47 yards for a touchdown. Law also intercepted Indianapolis Colts legend Peyton Manning three times in the 2003 AFC Championship Game, and the Patriots eventually went on to win their second Super Bowl in three seasons.
Law joined the Patriots' Hall of Fame as its 20th member, and he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2019.