Raymond Clayborn voted into Patriots Hall of Fame

FOXBORO — Raymond Clayborn, who played with the Patriots from 1977-1989, was named the 2017 inductee into the Patriots Hall of Fame. Clayborn was chosen by the fans in an online vote from a list of three finalists to be inducted this summer.

"I really felt real good about it and had two excellent guys that were also nominated with me," said Clayborn. "I keep reverting back to the Super Bowls and previous years when I was a candidate, it always had gone to one of those guys. I thought the same thing was going to happen again. I was totally surprised and very happy."

A three-time Pro Bowler, Clayborn remains tied for the franchise lead in interceptions with 36. A first-round pick in 1977, he also returned 57 kickoffs for 1,538 yards and three touchdowns.

This year was the fourth-straight year Clayborn was a Hall of Fame finalist. 

"I was fortunate to be a season ticket holder during Raymond's entire Patriots career," said Patriots Chairman and CEO Robert Kraft. "For the first half of his career, he teamed with Michael Haynes to form one of the best corner tandems in league history. Throughout his career, Raymond was a physical, shutdown corner. One of my favorite memories was watching the 1985 team advance to the Super Bowl after Raymond helped us break the Orange Bowl curse when he stymied future Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Marino with a dominant performance against Pro Bowl receivers Mark Duper and Mark Clayton. Raymond had six passes defensed and an interception to help us claim our first conference title. It was the greatest upset victory in franchise history at the time and one the entire New England region celebrated. It is a well-deserved honor and I look forward to presenting him his hall of fame jacket."

Cox Media Group