Richard Seymour reflects on his toughest game with the Patriots

Former New England Patriots defensive tackle/end Richard Seymour recently made a comment about a Super Bowl that just cannot go unheard.

Richard Seymour was taken sixth overall by the New England Patriots in the first round of the 2001 NFL Draft and helped lead the team to their first Super Bowl victory over the St. Louis Rams in his rookie year.

He also was a part of two more championships with the Pats before later getting traded to the Oakland Raiders.

During his playing days in New England, Seymour became one of the best defensive linemen in the NFL — 359 tackles, 64 tackles for loss, 39 sacks, and 37 quarterback hits in eight years — and also went on to be selected to five consecutive Pro Bowls (2002-2006) as well as three consecutive First-Team All-Pro teams (2003-2005).

It’s fair to say that Seymour has forever left his mark in New England, as he is a member of the Patriots’ 50th Anniversary Team, the All-2000s Team, and the All-Decade Team. Seymour’s efforts have landed him in the Pats Hall of Fame as the newest inductee.

After Seymour was voted into the Patriots Hall of Fame for 2020, the three-time Super Bowl champion expressed his gratitude and accomplishments throughout his career on the newest episodes of The Michael Holley Podcast.

Holley explained how the defensive line position is not for everyone, as it’s extremely tough and physical — and it takes the right kind of player to play that position. He asked Seymour what the most physical game he played in was and this was Seymour’s response:

"“The most physical game that I’ve ever played in was when we played the Panthers in the Super Bowl. More physical than any Pittsburgh game or Ravens game, any other game that I’ve played. That offensive line was physical — and I’ll say this, I’ll let you do some research on it — but I heard that they weren’t all clean during that game. That’s been the going word. I think we need to dig a little deeper, I was playing against some robots out there. I’m telling you.”"

The Super Bowl that Seymour is referring to is Super Bowl XXXVIII, where the Patriots defeated the Panthers 32-29 and earned their second Lombardi trophy in franchise history.

There have been 16 Super Bowls since 2003, which — at this point — makes Seymour’s claims look like ancient history.

I’m not doubting what Seymour is saying, but it doesn’t change the fact that he was already considered to be one of the greatest players in the history of the New England Patriots franchise, was considered to be one of the greatest defensive linemen during his playing days, and has a chance to one day be elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame … all before making these claims.