Six Patriots Make Hall of Fame Semifinals Cut

Six individuals with ties to the New England Patriots have been named as semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

FOXBORO — The Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Coach/Contributor Committee, in conjunction with the Seniors Committee, has revealed its list of 60 semifinalists for possible induction into the Hall’s Class of 2024 — including some prominent members of the New England Patriots family. 

The Coach/Contributor Committee annually nominates individuals who did not appear on the Hall of Fame’s ballots, while the Seniors Committee proposes a select group of players who were not chosen during their initial induction window on the main ballots.

The respective selection committees now will consider the candidates and vote to send 12 Seniors and 12 Coach/Contributors through to the finalists stage. The results of those reduction votes will be announced July 27.

While six of this year’s semi finalists have ties to the Patriots organization, two particularly hold indelible spots in the franchise’s folklore — team owner Robert Kraft and receiver Stanley Morgan. 

Robert Kraft

Since purchasing the Patriots in 1994, the team’s owner and CEO has overseen the most successful run of any NFL franchise during that time span. Under Kraft's ownership, the Pats have made the playoffs 21 times in his 27 years as owner. They have won 19 AFC East titles, including all but three since 2001 and 11 in a row from 2009 to 2019. They represented the AFC in the Super Bowl in 1996 (lost), 2001 (won), 2003 (won), 2004 (won), 2007 (lost), 2011 (lost), 2014 (won), 2016 (won), 2017 (lost) and 2018 (won). After having never won more than 11 games prior to Kraft's arrival, the Patriots have won at least 12 games 14 times, including finishing the 2007 regular season undefeated. For much of Kraft’s prolific run in the Patriots’ owners box, the team was under the direction of head coach Bill Belichick and led on the field by quarterback Tom Brady. However, his leadership, financial management and steady hand at the helm has made Kraft of of the most respected owners in the NFL, as well as all professional sports.

Stanley Morgan

Morgan is widely regarded as one of the game’s best receivers to have yet earned enshrinement in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Best known for his ability as a "deep threat" receiver, he holds the NFL record (among receivers with at least 500 catches) with 19.2 yards per catch, and also holds the Patriots team record for total receiving yards in a career. Morgan was a four-time Pro Bowl selection and two-time All-Pro. He was selected to the New England Patriots team Hall of Fame in 2007. Morgan was also named to the Patriots’ 1970’s and 1980’s All-Decade Teams. Statically, Morgan’s resume is solid. He finished his career with 557 receptions for 10,716 yards and 72 touchdowns. He also logged 127 rushing yards and 989 combined return yards.

In addition to both Kraft and Morgan, defensive tackle Steven McMichael and receiver Henry Ellard were named as finalists from the Seniors pool, while Marty Schottenheimer and Frank “Bucko” Gilroy advanced within the Coach/Contributor group. 

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