Former Patriots defender Richard Seymour will again not make the Pro Football Hall of Fame

For the second year in a row, former New England Patriots defensive lineman Richard Seymour has reached the final round of the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s selection process. For the second year in a row, however, he has failed to make the final cut: as the 40-year-old announced on social media, he will not be a member of this year’s Hall of Fame class.

Seymour’s message read “I respect the process...2021” and was added to the following post that he originally shared after coming up short during last year’s election process:

don’t let today’s disappointment cast a shadow on tomorrow’s dreams...although my nomination bid into the HOF fell a bit short. I am forever grateful to have been nominated and a part of the process. congrats to well deserving and newly elected members.

The Patriots’ first-round selection in 2001, Seymour spent the first eight seasons of his 12-year career in New England and appeared in 126 games for the franchise under Belichick before getting traded to the Oakland Raiders in 2009. He played a key role in the New England’s first three Super Bowl-wins, was voted to seven Pro Bowls and named to the NFL’s team of the 2000s. He also is a member of both the Patriots’ team of the 2000s and the franchise’s 50th anniversary team.

Seymour will eventually get in at one point as him advancing this far in the process for the second straight year should be seen as a good sign for the future.