Over the course of the entire 2018 NFL offseason, the New England Patriots office at Last Word on Sports has had the privilege of covering a different Patriots legend each week. This week this series concludes. Last week Dale Lavine covered the career of former Patriots linebacker and current Tennesse Titans Head Coach Mike Vrabel. This week we take a look back at a key fixture on the Patriots defensive line in the 2000’s. For our final installment, I give you a profile of Richard Seymour. It’s time for New England Patriots of the Past: Richard Seymour edition.
Richard Seymour: New England Patriots of the Past.
A Dawg in the SEC
Richard Seymour was a dominant force at the University of Georgia. Seymour was named first-team All-Southeastern Conference during his junior and senior campaigns with the Bulldogs. During his junior season in 1999, he led the Bulldogs in tackles with 74. Seymour’s senior season at Georgia was his best. He recorded 78 tackles, a team-high ten tackles for a loss, one and a half sacks, and 13 quarterback pressures. This earned Seymour SEC Player of the Week honors against the University of Tennessee and first-team All-American honors from the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) and the Walter Camp Football Foundation.
Seymour the Pat
Richard Seymour was drafted with the sixth overall pick in the first round of the 2001 NFL Draft by the Patriots. As a rookie, Seymour made an immediate impact with the Patriot by helping them win Super Bowl XXXVI. In 2002 Seymour made his first Pro Bowl. Seymour would make the Pro Bowl every year from 2002 until 2006. During these seasons he made the first-team All-Pro three times and second team All-Pro once. Seymour also won Super Bowls XXXVIII and XXXIX with the Patriots during this span. His 2006 and 2007 season were injury-riddled, causing him to miss the Pro Bowl and All-Pro teams in 2007. Seymour’s last season with the Patriots came in 2008 in which he started every game except the season finale against the Buffalo Bills. Seymour was traded to the Oakland Raiders before 2009 season due to contract issues.
Seymour’s Final Seasons
Richard Seymour finished his career with the Raiders. Seymour made the Pro Bowl in back to back seasons from 2010 until 2011. During 2011 he made second-team All-Pro for the first time since 2006. After the 2012 season, Richard Seymour announced his retirement from the NFL. Seymour finished his career with 496 tackles, 57.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, eight fumble recoveries, and two interceptions. Seymour’s career accolades include three Super Bowls, four AFC Championships, seven Pro Bowls, and five All-Pro teams.
Post Football Career
Since his retirement, Richard Seymour has made multiple rounds of voting for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, but he has failed to make it to Canton. Seymour has remained a fan favorite in New England and is expected to make the Patriots Hall of Fame at some point in the future.
Speaking on behalf of the New England Patriots office at Last Word on Pro Football, it has been a pleasure bringing other fans the history and tradition of former Patriots greats this summer. While current legends make their impact in Foxborough, expect them to compete for more Super Bowls and add to the frachise’s astounding legacy.
Main photo:
Embed from Getty Images
