Bledsoe, Parcells Candidates For Patriots Hall Of Fame
BOSTON (CBS) - Drew Bledsoe and Bills Parcells have joined Houston Antwine as this year's nominees for the New England Patriots Hall of Fame, the team announced Friday.
Fans have one month to vote on the team's website for the nominee they feel is most deserving of Patriots Hall of Fame induction. The winner will be announced the week of May 16.
Bledsoe, in his first year of eligibility, was the first overall pick in the 1993 NFL Draft and was considered the face of the franchise for eight years. During his nine-year Patriots career, Bledsoe broke the Patriots' career passing records for attempts (4,518), completions (2,544) and yards (29,657). He still holds the Patriots' single-season passing records for attempts (691) and completions (400) and is the only player in franchise history to pass for over 400 yards multiple times (4).
Bledsoe led the Patriots to the playoffs four times in his first six seasons, including a trip to Super Bowl XXXVI in 1996.
Parcells was the head coach of the New England Patriots for four seasons from 1993-96, leading them to the playoffs twice. After inheriting a team that had finished 14-50 in the previous four years, including an NFL worst 2-14 season in 1992. In 1994, a season-ending seven-game win streak allowed the Patriots to clinch their first playoff berth in eight years, earning Parcells NFL Coach of the Year honors.
In 1996, Parcells led the Patriots to an 11-win season in 1996, tying the then franchise record for wins and earning their first division title in 10 years. The Patriots defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers and Jacksonville Jaguars en route to the franchise's second Super Bowl appearance. Parcells is the first Patriots head coach to be nominated by the Hall of Fame Nomination Committee for consideration.
Antwine was acquired by the Boston Patriots in a trade with the Houston Oilers in 1961 in exchange for a fourth-round draft choice. He played 11 seasons for the Patriots, appearing in 142 games, leading the team in sacks for three consecutive seasons from 1967-69.
This is the third consecutive year that the Patriots Hall of Fame nomination committee has voted to nominate Houston Antwine as one of the three most deserving candidates for Patriots Hall of Fame induction.
