FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - The New England Patriots announced a date for the team's 2017 Hall of Fame induction ceremonies for Raymond Clayborn. The ceremony will be held on Saturday, July 29 at 12:30pm on the NRG Plaza outside The Hall at Patriot Place presented by Raytheon. The event will begin shortly after the conclusion of the training camp practice that morning on the fields behind Gillette Stadium.
The Hall of Fame induction ceremony is free and open to the public. Patriots fans of all ages are welcome and encouraged to attend.
Clayborn, a resident of Houston suburb Katy, Texas, will also be honored at halftime of the Sept. 24 game when the Patriots host the Houston Texans.
Clayborn was a three-time Pro Bowl player (1983, 1985, 1986) during his 13-year Patriots 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 set a franchise record with 36 career interceptions, a record which Ty Law tied in 2004 and remains today, 28 years after Clayborn finished his Patriots career. His 555 interception return yards rank 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, he 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 20 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 in New England, he helped lead the Patriots to 10 winning seasons, including four postseason berths. In a 31-14 AFC Championship victory that propelled the Patriots to their first Super Bowl appearance, Clayborn's performance helped end an 18-game losing streak to the Miami Dolphins in the Orange Bowl. 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.
We take a look back at the career of Patriots Cornerback Raymond Clayborn (1977-1989), who was voted by the fans as the 2017 inductee into the Patriots Hall of Fame.
SAN FRANCISCO - OCTOBER 22: Defensive back Raymond Clayborn #26 of the New England Patriots moves against the San Francisco 49ers during a NFL game at Candlestick Park on October 22, 1989 in San Francisco, California. The Niners defeated the Pats 37-20. (Photo by Otto Gruele Jr/Getty Images)
About The Hall at Patriot Place presented by Raytheon
The Hall at Patriot Place presented by Raytheon is the crown jewel of Patriot Place and the only sports and education experience of its kind. Through a dazzling array of interactive multimedia exhibits, artifacts never before viewable by the public and home of the Patriots' five Lombardi Trophies, The Hall at Patriot Place presented by Raytheon showcases the tradition of the New England Patriots, explores the history of football in New England and promotes math and science education for the thousands of schoolchildren who visit each year. For more information, please visit www.thehallatpatriotplace.com
