The Patriots Dynasty is Getting Completely Disrespected by Pro Football Hall of Fame
By Jackson Thompson
The notion of the New England Patriots being cheated out of an accolade is as ironic as it is inflammatory. However, a revelation on Twitter might expose an anti-Patriot agenda among the Pro Football Hall of Fame voters.
With the HOF induction of wide receiver Isaac Bruce, four players from the 1999 "Greatest Show on Turf" St. Louis Rams team have been enshrined as football legends. Meanwhile, only one player from the early 2000s Patriots dynasty, Ty Law, has been given such honors.
Here's a weird fact. Rams' team that won only 1 SB (by an inch btw) and lost to Pats in 2001 now has 5 players off it in the Hall while NE dynasty that won 3 SBs in 4 years has only one., Ty Law. #baffled
— Ron Borges (@RonBorges) February 1, 2020
It's a statistic that's only further compromised by the fact that the Patriots defeated the Rams in Super Bowl 36. Obviously, at least one more player from that first Patriots run will get in: Tom Brady, once he decides to retire.
The argument could be made that the 1999-2001 Rams simply boasted a roster of superior talent, while the Patriots' dynasty was more a result of better coaching and team chemistry between mid-tier players.
Bruce, Kurt Warner, Marshall Faulk and Orlando Pace represent the storied Rams' offense in Canton. Each was an elite talent, with the accolades to warrant Hall of Fame consideration and a Super Bowl ring to validate their championship aura.
My favorite football player of all time was inducted into the Hall of Fame this afternoon. Strange that it is bittersweet given the team leaving. The Greatest Show on Turf will always have a special place in my heart.
— Ronni Kurtz (@RonniKurtz) February 2, 2020
Congrats, @IsaacBruce80. You deserve it! pic.twitter.com/fyINORgrID
The question then becomes, do three Super Bowl rings validate a Hall of Fame resume even if they're attached to lesser talent?
Patriot greats like Tedy Bruschi, Troy Brown and Matt Light have not been inducted. And while they might not have possessed the elite talent like the inductees from the Greatest Show on Turf, they are still highly accomplished players, with at least one Pro Bowl each.
Their leadership simply delivered more championships. They got the job done more times than the Rams did, so why aren't they recognized by the voters?
The sad reality is that championships don't mean everything, especially if your individual achievements aren't off the charts. In the case of Bruce, Warner, Faulk and Pace, Bruce is 13th all-time in receptions, Warner is 13th all-time in QBR, Faulk is 12th all-time in rushing yards, and Pace was a three-time All-Pro and seven-time Pro Bowler. They all clearly had a memorable impact on the game while other Patriots contributors may have fallen short there.
However, the Patriots deserve better in this case and the voters need to recognize it.