The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Clayborn named Patriots Hall of Fame Finalist
04.18.2016 | Football
Fan vote will determine if former Longhorn DB Raymond Clayborn receives induction into 2016 New England Patriots Hall of Fame.
The New England Patriots announced that three former Patriots have been selected as finalists for this year's induction into the team's hall of fame. The three finalists are cornerback Raymond Clayborn, running back Kevin Faulk and linebacker Mike Vrabel. Clayborn is a finalist for the third straight year, while Faulk and Vrabel are both first-time finalists.
Fans can vote on www.patriots.com for the next month. Voting will end on May 14, and the Patriots will announce the 2016 Patriots Hall of Fame selection at a later date.
Raymond Clayborn was a three-time Pro Bowl player (1983, 1985, 1986) for the Patriots during a career that extended from 1977 through 1989. He was drafted by the Patriots in the first round (16th overall) out of Texas in 1977 and quickly established himself as one of the game's best cornerbacks as well as a superb kickoff returner. He finished his career with a franchise-leading 36 interceptions, a record which was tied by Ty Law in 2004 and remains today, 27 years after he retired. His 555 interception return yards are second in franchise history to Law's 583 return yards. Clayborn also returned 57 kickoffs for 1,538 yards and three touchdowns. As a rookie in 1977, Clayborn returned 28 kickoffs for 869 yards and led the NFL with a 31.0-yard return average and returned three kicks for touchdowns, both of which remain franchise records. He is one of just 19 NFL players since the 1970 merger to finish a season with a better than 30.0-yard average on kickoff returns (min. 20 returns) and is the only Patriots player to accomplish the feat. Clayborn played a vital role in bringing the Patriots to respectability in the late 1970s and early '80s. During his 13 seasons with the Patriots, he helped the Patriots to 10 winning seasons, including four postseason berths. Clayborn intercepted Pro Football Hall of Famer Dan Marino and recorded six passes defensed to help end an 18-game losing streak to the Miami Dolphins in the Orange Bowl in a 31-14 AFC Championship victory that propelled the Patriots to their first Super Bowl appearance. Clayborn was a member of the Patriots' 1970s and 1980s all-decade teams. He also set a franchise record by playing in 161 consecutive games.
The Fort Worth native starred in football (1973-76) and track (1976-77) while at Texas. In football, he was a four-year letterman, an All-American (1976) and a two-time All-SWC (1975-76) player at defensive back. He was named to the SWC All-Decade team of the 1970s and led UT to SWC championships in 1973 and 1975. He was voted the team MVP for the 1976 season. As a sprinter on the track team, he led UT to SWC titles in 1976 and 1977. During that time, he was a member of SWC champion 440-yard relay and mile relay teams.
Clayborn was inducted into the Longhorn Men's Hall of Honor in 1991.
