NASHVILLE – Titans head coach Mike Vrabel has earned some pretty nice recognition for his playing career – on Wednesday, Vrabel was voted into the Patriots Hall of Fame.
A three-time Super Bowl champion with the Patriots, Vrabel was voted by fans as the franchise's 34th inductee. Vrabel joins Troy Brown (2012), Tedy Bruschi (2013), Kevin Faulk (2016), Ty Law (2014), Matt Light (2018), Willie McGinest (2015) and Richard Seymour (2022) as the eighth player to enter the Patriots Hall of Fame as a three-time Super Bowl Champion with the team.
The date and time for the 2023 Patriots Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be announced at a later date.
"It's my pleasure to announce Mike Vrabel as this year's selection to the Patriots Hall of Fame," Patriots Chairman and CEO Robert Kraft said. "Mike's leadership and versatility were principal to one of the most successful eras in franchise history, propelling the Patriots to three Super Bowl titles in four years and establishing multiple NFL records for consecutive-game win streaks. Many Patriots players have made contributions in all three phases of the game, but none more significantly than Mike. He was an eight-year starter on defense who also regularly contributed on special teams and is the only player in NFL history to score touchdowns on his first 10 career receptions, including touchdowns in back-to-back Super Bowl victories. He was respected for his football intellect and was destined to become a head coach in this league. I look forward to welcoming him back to New England, where his induction will preserve his legacy as one of the greatest players in franchise history."
Vrabel, who took over as head coach of the Titans in 2018, joined the Patriots before the 2001 season, following a four-year career with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
During his eight seasons in New England, Vrabel played a key role on defense on three Super Bowl championship teams (2001, 2003 and 2004). He also caught eight regular season passes and two more in the playoffs. All 10 of his receptions were for touchdowns, including receptions in back-to-back Super Bowl wins over the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl XXXVIII and Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl XXXIX.
Vrabel earned Pro Bowl and first-team Associated Press All-Pro honors following the 2007 season.
Beginning in 2007, the Patriots started a new tradition, inducting one player or head coach into the team's Hall of Fame each year. The process for induction involves a panel of media, alumni and staff who collectively nominate the players or head coaches most deserving of induction. After the nominations are made, the committee votes and the top three tallies become that year's finalists. The Patriots then give fans the opportunity to vote online to select each year's hall of fame inductee. The Patriots are the only team in the NFL that allows their fans to make the final selection for enshrinement into the franchise's highest honor.
A three-time Super Bowl champion with the Patriots, Vrabel was voted by fans as the franchise's 34th inductee. Vrabel joins Troy Brown (2012), Tedy Bruschi (2013), Kevin Faulk (2016), Ty Law (2014), Matt Light (2018), Willie McGinest (2015) and Richard Seymour (2022) as the eighth player to enter the Patriots Hall of Fame as a three-time Super Bowl Champion with the team.
New England Patriots linebacker Mike Vrabel is shown during their AFC Championship game against the Pittsburgh Steelers Sunday, Jan. 27, 2002 in Pittsburgh. The Patriots take on the St. Louis Rams in Super Bowl XXXVI on Sunday, Feb. 3, 2002 in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta)
New England Patriots' Mike Vrabel (50) carries a Tom Brady pass against Carolina Panthers defender Deon Grant into the endzone for a touchdown in the fourth quarter of Super Bowl XXXVIII in Houston, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2004. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots linebacker Mike Vrabel is joined by his son Tyler on the field before the start of Super Bowl XXXVIII against the Carolina Panthers in Houston, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2004. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)
New England Patriots linebacker Mike Vrabel (50) plays with his son Tyler, 4, during a walk through at Alltel Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla., on Saturday, Feb. 5, 2005. Super Bowl XXXIX will feature the Philadelphia Eagles against the Patriots. (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia)
New England Patriots' Mike Vrabel (50) celebrates after his 2-yard touchdown reception in the third quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl XXXIX at Alltel Stadium on Sunday, Feb. 6, 2005, in Jacksonville, Fla. At right is teammate Joe Andruzzi. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
New England Patriots linebacker Mike Vrabel puts on his helmet during the opening day of training camp at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Mass., Friday, July 29, 2005. (AP Photo/Robert E. Klein)
New England Patriots' Mike Vrabel (50) returns an interception for a touchdown during the third quarter of the Patriots' 27-17 loss to the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte, N.C. Sunday Sept. 18, 2005. (AP Photo/Chris Keane)
New England Patriots linebackers Mike Vrabel (50) and Tedy Bruschi (54) talk during team practice at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass., Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2006. The Patriots play the Denver Broncos on Saturday in a divisional playoff game in Denver. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
New England Patriots linebacker Mike Vrabel (50) celebrates a sack of Buffalo Bills quarterback JP Losman during the fourth quarter of New England's 19-17 win in NFL football at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. Sunday, Sept. 10, 2006. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
New England Patriots linebackers Tedy Bruschi (54) and Mike Vrabel (50) congratulate each other after an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions in Foxborough, Mass. on Sunday, Dec. 3, 2006. The Patriots won 28-21. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots' Mike Vrabel returns an interception during an NFL football game in Foxborough, Mass. on Sunday, Dec. 3, 2006. New England won their 28-21. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
FILE New England Patriots linebacker Mike Vrabel (50) smiles as he stretches with linebacker Tedy Bruschi, left, before football practice in Foxborough, Mass., in this Dec. 19, 2007 file photo. The Patriots' record-breaking offense made headlines all season and made a pretty good defense into an afterthought. (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia, File)
FILE In this Dec. 23, 2007 file photo, New England Patriots linebacker Mike Vrabel reacts after a play during a football game against the Miami Dolphins in Foxborough, Mass. The Kansas City Chiefs have acquired quarterback Matt Cassel and linebacker Mike Vrabel from the New England Patriots in a trade for their second-round draft pick. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola, File)
New England Patriots linebacker Mike Vrabel (50) walks off the field after the Patriots lost to the New York Giants 17-14 in the Super Bowl XLII football game on Sunday, Feb. 3, 2008, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia)
New England Patriots outside linebacker Mike Vrabel (50), of the AFC team, appears during an AFC practice for the Pro Bowl football game, Thursday, Feb. 7, 2008, in Kapolei, Hawaii. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)
New England Patriots linebackers, from left,Tedy Bruschi, Mike Vrabel and Larry Izzo stretch during football practice in Foxborough, Mass., Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2008. (AP Photo/Stew Milne)
