Willie McGinest elected into Patriots Hall of Fame

The New England Patriots have announced edge defender Willie McGinest as the Patriots Hall of Fame Member for 2015. McGinest had a twelve year career with the Patriots after being selected 4th overall in the 1994 NFL Draft and helped the franchise to four Super Bowls, winning three of them. He was an All-Decade team member for the 1990s and 2000s and will be the 24th member in the team's Hall of Fame.

"Just a few months after I bought the Patriots, we drafted Willie McGinest in the first round of the 1994 NFL Draft," Patriots Chairman and CEO Robert Kraft stated through the team's website. "We came into the NFL together and will always share a special bond. During his 12-year Patriots career, Willie played a critical role in transforming us from a cellar dweller into a championship-caliber team. He was a leader of a defensive unit that propelled the Patriots to our first Super Bowl Championship in 2001. His leadership during the season and dominance in the postseason proved principal to our success in winning back-to-back titles in 2003 and 2004.

"Willie was a part of so many memorable moments for Patriots fans during his career. Now, I am looking forward to Patriots fans giving Willie a memorable moment as we celebrate his induction into the Patriots Hall of Fame."

McGinest is following his teammates to the Hall, with Drew Bledsoe (2011), Troy Brown (2012), and Tedy Bruschi (2013) leading the way. There will certainly be more members of the Patriots 2000 dynasty soon to follow.

McGinest will join 2015 Senior Committee Selection Houston Antwine as members of the Patriots Hall of Fame Class of 2015