Earlier this week, 25 players were named semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2025. While a few names – Eli Manning, Terrell Suggs, Adam Vinatieri and James Harrison – got most of the attention, Vince Wilfork also deserved the title. semi-finalist distinction for the fourth consecutive year. And Jerod Mayo, the current head coach of the New England Patriots and former teammate of Wilfork, gave his thoughts on the longtime New England defensive tackle.
Wilfork played for the Patriots from 2004 to 2014, during which time he won two Super Bowls and was named All-Pro and Pro Bowler five times each. He is considered one of the greatest players in New England history, as evidenced by his induction into the Patriots Hall of Fame and being named to the franchise’s 50th Anniversary team after just five years within the organization.
So when Mayo, who played alongside Wilfork for all but the last year of the current Patriots coach’s career, was asked about his thoughts on Wilfork’s “football journey” and their experiences together , Mayo gave a glowing support from his former teammate.
“When I came into the league in 2008 and was named Rookie of the Year, it was because of those guys up front,” Mayo said in a news conference Friday. “It started with Vince on the nose. Honestly, for a defensive lineman, he was a dominant player. Sometimes the stats don’t do him justice, but he was a dominant player for a very long time. I hope he comes in. I don’t have a vote, but I hope it gets in.
A standout at the University of Miami, Wilfork was selected 21st overall by the Patriots in the 2004 NFL Draft. He immediately made an impact, starting six games during the 2004 season, which ended with New England’s Super Bowl victory over the Philadelphia Eagles. After his rookie season, Wilfork would get a start in every remaining game of his career.
Wilfork totaled 559 tackles in 189 career games from 2004 to 2016. Additionally, his teams qualified for the playoffs every year except one. In 24 career playoff games, Wilfork has recorded 85 tackles.
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After winning his second Super Bowl with the Patriots, Wilfork signed with the Houston Texans during the 2015 offseason, ending his 11-year tenure with New England. In two seasons with Houston, Wilfork started 31 games and helped the Texans win AFC South titles and the playoffs in consecutive years.
Fittingly, Wilfork played his last game in New England; his Texans lost to the Patriots in the divisional round of the 2016 playoffs, and six months later, Wilfork signed a one-day contract with the Patriots and retired with the team that drafted him .
Wilfork will have to wait a little longer to see if he will be selected among the 15 finalists for the Hall of Fame.
