Former Patriots defensive tackle Richard Seymour elected to South Carolina Football Hall of Fame

The times they are a-changin'. While the New England Patriots lost their most recent Super Bowl in large parts because of their defensive performance, the franchise won its first titles behind a stifling defensive unit. One of the core members of those teams was defensive tackle Richard Seymour, who was recently elected to the South Carolina Football Hall of Fame because of his contributions over the course of his career.

Seymour was originally selected by the Patriots with the sixth overall pick in the 2001 NFL draft. He would go on to spend the first eight seasons of his 12-year career in New England, where he was a cornerstone of a team that won three Super Bowls. He also was a member of the Patriots’ 50th anniversary team and the franchise’s team of the 2000s. Seymour also served as a team captain four times.

Due to his impressive résumé, Seymour also was a semifinalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2017 as well as a finalist to the Patriots Hall of Fame. He was unable to receive the honor each time but has now finally been able to earn introduction into one Hall of Fame – South Carolina's. The S.C. Football Hall of Fame was established in 2013 and features a total of 25 players so far.

Seymour, once enshrined, will be part of the Hall's sixth class of new additions – and the second former Patriot to receive the honor after wide receiver Stanley Morgan, who joined the South Carolina Football Hall of Fame in 2016.