DL / DT/DE
Richard Seymour
Class of 2022
Games
164
NFL All Decade Team
2000s
Pro Bowls
7
Seasons
12
The New England Patriots selected University of Georgia defensive All-American lineman Richard Seymour in the first round (sixth overall) of the 2001 NFL Draft. At 6-6, 310 pounds, Seymour was a versatile player who spent time as both a defensive end and defensive tackle. He was feared by quarterbacks throughout the league as he recorded three or more sacks every year of his career except one.
Seymour was named to the NFL All-Rookie Team in 2001 and was an integral member of a New England team that earned the franchise’s first world championship with an upset victory over the St. Louis Rams in Super Bowl XXXVI. The win was the first of three championship teams Seymour played on as he also helped the Patriots to Super Bowl XXXVIII and XXXIX titles.
Seymour spent his first eight seasons with the Patriots (2001-08) before he was traded to the Oakland Raiders in 2009 where he remained for the final four years through his retirement after the 2012 season. His success continued in Oakland as Seymour posted remarkable stats on the field.
In all, Seymour played 164 career games. He recorded 57.5 sacks and his team’s record when he recorded a sack was an astonishing 46-8-0. He amassed a total of 496 tackles (324 solo), intercepted two passes, and forced four fumbles. Seymour also made eight fumble recoveries, one of which he scored on a franchise record 68-yard return.
A seven-time Pro Bowler, Seymour was named First-Team All-Pro three straight times. In addition to being named to the NFL All-Decade Team of the 2000s, Seymour is a member of the Patriots 50th Anniversary Team and the Patriots All-2000s Team.
|
Sacks |
||||
|
Year |
Team |
G |
No. |
|
|
2001 |
New England |
13 |
3.0 |
|
|
2002 |
New England |
16 |
5.5 |
|
|
2003 |
New England |
15 |
8.0 |
|
|
2004 |
New England |
15 |
5.0 |
|
|
2005 |
New England |
12 |
4.0 |
|
|
2006 |
New England |
16 |
4.0 |
|
|
2007 |
New England |
9 |
1.5 |
|
|
2008 |
New England |
15 |
8.0 |
|
|
2009 |
Oakland |
16 |
4.0 |
|
|
2010 |
Oakland |
13 |
5.5 |
|
|
2011 |
Oakland |
16 |
6.0 |
|
|
2012 |
Oakland |
8 |
3.0 |
|
|
Career Total |
164 |
57.5 |
|
|
Additional Career Statistics: Fumble Recovery for TD: 1; Interceptions: 2-6
2001 AFC – New England Patriots 24, Pittsburgh Steelers 17
Seymour started at defensive tackle. He had three tackles, two of which were for a loss.
2003 AFC – New England Patriots 24, Indianapolis Colts 14
Seymour started at right defensive end. He had three tackles and one pass defensed.
2004 AFC – New England Patriots 41, Pittsburgh Steelers 27
Seymour did not play in this game.
2006 AFC – Indianapolis Colts 38 New England Patriots 34
Seymour started at right defensive end. He had one tackle and two assists.
2007 AFC – New England Patriots 21, San Diego Chargers 12
Seymour started at right defensive end. He had one tackle and two assists.
Super Bowl XXXVI – New England Patriots 20, St. Louis Rams 17
Seymour started at defensive tackle. He had two tackles and one assist, one sack and one pass defensed.
Super Bowl XXXVIII – New England Patriots 32, Carolina Panthers 29
Seymour started at right defensive end. He had two tackles, one pass defensed and one fumble recovery.
Super Bowl XXXIX – New England Patriots 24, Philadelphia Eagles 21
Seymour played but did not start in this game. He had two tackles, one sack, and two passes defensed.
Super Bowl XLII – New York Giants 17, New England Patriots 14
Seymour started at right defensive end. He had three tackles and four assists.
All-League Teams
All-Pro: 2003 (AP, PFWA, SN) ● 2004 (AP, PFWA, SN) ● 2005 (AP, PFWA)
All-Pro Second Team: 2006 (AP) ● 2011 (AP)
All-AFC: 2002 (PW) ● 2003 (PW) ● 2004 (PW) ● 2005 (PW) ● 2006 (PW)
Pro Bowls
(7) – 2003, 2004, 2005*, 2006*, 2007*, 2011*, 2012
*Did not play
Team Records
Patriots records held by Seymour
(Records through the 2008 season, Seymour’s final season with New England)
- [1st] Most Fumble Return Yards, Season – 68 (2004)
- [1st] Most Fumble Return Yards, Game – 68 (at Buffalo, Oct. 3, 2004)
- [1st] Longest Fumble Return – 68 (at Buffalo, Oct. 3, 2004)
Postseason Records
- [Tied for 4th] Most Sacks, Career – 4.5
Awards and Honors
- NFL All-Decade Team of 2000s
League/Team Statistical Titles
Team Statistical Championships
Sack Leader: 2002, 2008
Year-by-Year Team Records
2001 New England Patriots....... 11-5-0 (1st)
2002 New England Patriots .......... 9-7-0 (2nd)
2003 New England Patriots....... 14-2-0 (1st)
2004 New England Patriots....... 14-2-0 (1st)
2005 New England Patriots....... 10-6-0 (1st)
2006 New England Patriots....... 12-4-0 (1st)
2007 New England Patriots....... 16-0-0 (1st)
2008 New England Patriots......... 11-5-0 (2nd)
2009 Oakland Raiders................ 5-11-0 (3rd)
2010 Oakland Raiders.................. 8-8-0 (3rd)
2011 Oakland Raiders.................. 8-8-0 (3rd)
2012 Oakland Raiders................ 4-12-0 (3rd)
(Division Finish in Parentheses)
Qualified for Postseason in Bold
Full Name: Richard Vershaun Seymour
Birthdate: October 6, 1979
Birthplace: Gadsden, South Carolina
High School: Lower Richland (SC)
Pro Career: 12 seasons, 164 games
Drafted: 1st round (6th player overall) in 2001 by New England Patriots