Houston Antwine Elected Into Patriots Hall Of Fame
BOSTON (CBS) -- The Patriots Hall of Fame has a new member.
Former New England defensive lineman Houston Antwine was a unanimous selection by the senior selection committee on Thursday.
Antwine played 142 games for the Patriots over 11 seasons from 1961-71, leading the team in sacks from 1967-69. His 39 career sacks are tied for 10th (with Richard Seymour) on the Patriots all-time career sacks list.
"For those of us who grew up watching the Boston Patriots, we applaud the senior selection committee's choice," Patriots owner Robert Kraft said in a statement. "In the 1960s, the defensive tackle tandem of Houston Antwine and Jim Lee Hunt was as good as any in the league. Houston's play helped push the Patriots to our first division championship in 1963. I had the good fortune of hosting Houston and his wife, Evelyn, at my home in 2009 when we honored the Patriots 50th Anniversary Team. It was a thrill for me to hear his stories about those early days in Boston. I look forward to hosting his daughter, Regina, when we honor her late-father later this summer for his induction ceremony."
Acquired by the Patriots in a trade with the Houston Oilers, Antwine would go on to earn six consecutive American Football League All-Star selections from 1963-68. He is a member of the Patriots 50th Anniversary Team and a member of the 1960s All-Decade Team.
Antwine passed away on Dec. 26, 2011 at the age of 72, and was honored by the Patriots during their January 1, 2012 game against the Buffalo Bills at Gillette Stadium.
Antwine was a finalist for Patriots Hall of Fame consideration for three straight years from 2009 through 2011, and is now the second Patriots Hall of Fame inductee to be selected by the senior selection committee.
The timing of this year's induction ceremony will be announced at a later date.
