Vince Wilfork
Former Chicago Bears returner Devin Hester smiles during a retirement ceremony Monday, April 23, 2018 at Halas Hall. Seven first-time eligible former players, including wide receivers Andre Johnson, Steve Smith and Anquan Boldin, are among 26 modern day semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s class of 2022. Joining them as candidates for induction next year are outstanding kick returner Devin Hester; pass-rushing standouts Robert Mathis and DeMarcus Ware; and run-stuffing defensive tackle Vince Wilfork. Each last played in the 2016 season. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune via AP)
Andre Johnson, Steve Smith among Hall of Fame semifinalists

By Barry Wilner Nov. 24, 2021 01:04 PM EST

FILE - This Oct. 30, 2016, file photo shows Denver Broncos outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware (94) smiling prior to an NFL football game against the San Diego Chargers in Denver. Ten first-year eligible players, including defensive standout DeMarcus Ware, are among 122 nominees for the 2022 class of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, announced Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2021.(AP Photo/Jack Dempsey, File)
Ware, Mathis among 1st-year eligibles for Pro Football Hall

Sep. 22, 2021 01:01 PM EDT

FILE - In this Oct. 23, 2019, file photo, New England Patriots free safety Devin McCourty (32) speaks with members of the media following an NFL football practice in Foxborough, Mass. The New England Patriots extended safety Devin McCourty's contract Sunday, March 15, 2020. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. (AP Photo/Steven Senne, File)
Pats' McCourty ready for post-Brady era in New England

By Kyle Hightower Mar. 25, 2020 05:02 PM EDT

New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick and Linda Holliday arrive for a NFL football walkthrough, Saturday, Feb. 2, 2019, in Atlanta, ahead of Super Bowl 53 against the Los Angeles Rams. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
New England Patriots at Los Angeles Rams 2/3/2019

Feb. 13, 2019 06:14 AM EST

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes warms up before the AFC Championship NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Jan. 20, 2019, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
New England Patriots at Kansas City Chiefs 1/20/2019

Feb. 13, 2019 05:12 AM EST

FILE - In this Feb. 5, 2017, file photo, New England Patriots' Tom Brady holds up the Vince Lombardi Trophy after winning the NFL Super Bowl 51 football game against the Atlanta Falcons in Houston. The NFL’s inexorable trend of going younger and cheaper does not bypass the best in the league. No team does it with quite the high-profile zeal as the Patriots, who have collected five Super Bowl titles since 2002, and will be going for No. 6 on Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019, against the Rams. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File)
In the younger, cheaper NFL, Super Bowl champs get cut, too

By Eddie Pells Jan. 29, 2019 03:36 AM EST

Patriots among admirable company as sports dynasty

By The Associated Press Jan. 27, 2019 05:19 PM EST
Sports fans love dynasties. And hate them, too. That a team could be so dominant for a long period as the New England Patriots have been should be...