By John Sarianides 

The Patriots announced on Thursday that cornerback Raymond Clayborn, linebacker Mike Vrabel and defensive end Richard Seymour are the three finalists for the Patriots Hall of Fame this year.

Fans voting began yesterday and it goes until May 15th. Which ever of the three finalists has the most fans votes, will get inducted into the hall in August. 

This is the fourth year for Clayborn on the ballot, second year for Vrabel and first year for Seymour. 

No offense to Vrabel and Seymour, but Raymond Clayborn should become the 26th member to get elected into the Patriots Hall of Fame. 

I know most Patriots fans under the age of 35 have no idea who Clayborn is, but if you researched him and did some homework, you would find he is one of the most decorated defensive players in Patriots history.

Clayborn was chosen by the Patriots in the first round of the 1977 draft out of Texas. He played 13 seasons in New England and holds the team record for most consecutive games played with 161. Clayborn picked off 36 passes in his career which ties him for most in franchise history with Ty Law. Clayborn was also a terrific return man in his career. He is the all time leader in team history in return yards and return touchdowns. 

When you think of all time great Patriots, Clayborn’s name isn’t usually mentioned but it should be. You can make the case that Clayborn is one ten greatest Patriots of all time and the numbers back it up.

The Patriots Hall of Fame selection process has become a popularity contest in recent years. It seems like it is reserved for guys that played in Belichick, Brady era only. 

I hope Patriots fans look beyond the Belichick, Brady era and realize that this organization still had some good players despite being one of the worst franchises in the league at one time. 

Clayborn played with Steve Nelson, Andre Tippett, John Hannah, Steve Grogan, Stanley Morgan and Mike Haynes in his career. All of them are in the Patriots Hall of Fame and Clayborn should be there with them.

I hope that Patriots fans hit the pause button on Vrabel and Seymour for a year and vote Raymond Clayborn into the Patriots Hall of Fame. He deserves it. He had a great career and deserves to be recognized for his contributions to this proud franchise. 

The Patriots may not have won as much as they do now when Clayborn played here but he was on a couple of good teams (1978) (1985) and he was a big part of those teams. Let’s show him we appreciate him as life long Patriots fans. Clayborn earned his place in the Patriots Hall of Fame.