The New England Patriots‘ Mount Rushmore is a who’s who of gridiron greatness. From the GOAT quarterback to a guard who could pancake block defenders into next week, these legends shaped the franchise’s dynasty at the Foxboro Stadium and the Gillette Stadium. But who made the cut, and why are they the cream of the crop in Foxborough over many other stellar names to have taken to the gridiron for New England?

NFL Throwback’s picks for the Patriots Mount Rushmore features 3 Lombardi Trophy winners and one player who was instrumental in their journey to Super Bowl XX. Tom Brady, the undisputed king of comebacks, leads this star-studded lineup. But it’s not just about the touchdowns and Super Bowl rings. The Patriots are honoring their golden boy in a way that’ll make fans’ jaws drop faster than a Gronk spike.

New England Patriots’ Mount Rushmore unveiled with Tom Brady on top

Brady leads the charge on the Patriots’ Mount Rushmore. Would anyone dispute this? It’s unlikely, as Brady’s unparalleled consistency and longevity saw him rewrite record books. His six Super Bowls, 4 Pete Rozelle trophies (while at Foxborough), and more are common knowledge, but certain moments just stand out. Do you remember when Brady declared a holiday in Boston after the ’28-3′ Super LI? From despair to delight, no one would have disputed the gunslinger’s words on February 5, 2017. Super Bowl LI aside, ‘clutch Brady’ and ‘dominant Brady’ have been present throughout his tenure wearing the No.12 shirt for the Pats. 

Brady had 59 come-from-behind wins with the Pats. When he pulled it off for the first time on October 14, 2001, did you believe there would be 58 more? That game against the Chargers was crucial, as a defeat would have seen him go 1-2 as QB1. Showcasing glimpses of a player ready for the big time, the then 24-year-old took the offense to within field goal range and made the most of a first and three on the next drive. It seemed as though he handed the football to his running back, but he found Jermaine Wiggins wide open in the end zone for a TD.

If close games aren’t your thing, remember the 59-0 game against Tennessee? At that time, Patriots fans may have envisioned Brady surging past Joe Kapp, Y. A. Tittle, George Blanda, Adrian Burk, and Sid Luckman’s record of 7 passing TDs in a game. Alas, he came off midway through Q3 on the back of 6 TDs.

Brady’s Patriots stats are more impressive than a Hail Mary completion: 74,571 passing yards and 541 touchdowns. Brady’s leadership was the X-factor that led to 17 AFC East titles, proving he could read defenses better than Shakespeare read iambic pentameter. It is these accolades and unforgettable plays/instances (and more) that earned Brady a spot in the Patriots Hall of Fame.

At his induction, Brady proclaimed, “I am Tom Brady. And I am a Patriot,” cementing his legacy in Foxborough folklore. Now, the Patriots are taking Brady worship to new heights – quite literally with plans for a 12-foot bronze statue in 2024.

Joining Brady is John Hannah, the offensive guard who could pancake defenders like he was flipping flapjacks at a New England diner. That was not always the case, though. How well do you remember an incident from September 23, 1973, at Schaefer Stadium? Future Hall of Famer John Hannah made his second start, coming up against the Chiefs’ Buck Buchanan, who promised to “welcome” him to the NFL. He recalled that he got picked up and thrown once.

To go from that sort of welcome at home to overhearing the same player say “…he sure must have gotten better since I played him,” showcases Hannah’s grit. His nine Pro Bowl appearances and seven All-Pro selections are a testament to his dominance in the trenches. Hannah’s charges could clear lanes wider than the Big Dig, paving the way for the Patriots’ record-breaking 3,165 rushing yards in 1978.

Next up is an NFL tight end who used the Lombardi Trophy to bunt a baseball! That’s right, Brady’s favorite end zone target Rob Gronkowski, who is the human equivalent of a touchdown magnet, also made the cut. Gronk’s 79 touchdowns in Patriots colors prove he was more reliable than a Boston cabbie during rush hour. 

As one source aptly put it, “Gronk’s combination of size, speed, and hands made him nearly unstoppable.” His 2011 season was a touchdown fiesta, setting a tight end record with 17 scores. One play from the season that stands out came on December 11, 2011, against Washington – Gronk shook off two defensive linemen near the sideline of the gridiron before being dropped inside the 15.

Rounding out this fantastic four is Ty Law, the cornerback who turned interceptions into an art form, nabbing 36 passes and taking six to the house. Ty Law turned opposing quarterbacks’ passes into “Boston Tea Party” reenactments – dumping them right into Patriot hands. His Super Bowl XXXVI pick-six against the Rams from the 47 was the football equivalent of Paul Revere’s warning: the Patriots were coming, and they meant business.

But there’s more to this Patriot party. While these four have etched their faces into New England’s football Mount Rushmore, a handful of other legends are knocking on the door harder than a Nor’easter. From AFL pioneers to modern-day marvels, the Patriots’ legacy runs deeper than Bill Belichick’s playbook.

Honoring the New England Patriots’ almost-Rushmore

While our Fab Four are etched in stone, let’s not forget the gridiron gladiators who nearly made the cut. First up is Andre Tippett, the linebacker who terrorized quarterbacks like a Nor’easter terrorizes the New England coast. Tippett amassed an impressive 100 career sacks, proving he was more disruptive than a snowplow on game day. As NFL.com aptly put it, “In the 1980s, two outside linebackers truly struck fear in opponents’ hearts: Lawrence Taylor and Andre Tippett.”

Next on our highlight reel is Mike Haynes, the cornerback who shut down receivers faster than Bill Belichick shuts down post-game press conferences. Haynes intercepted 28 passes and recovered 11 fumbles during his Patriots tenure, earning six Pro Bowl nods in seven seasons. As The Grueling Truth noted, “Haynes was a true shutdown corner. He made the Pro Bowl in 1980 with just one interception, simply because teams knew better than to throw in his direction.”

Let’s not fumble the opportunity to mention Gino Cappelletti, the original Boston Patriot who could do it all. This Swiss Army knife of a player caught touchdowns, kicked field goals, and even played defense. As one source eloquently stated, “He might have been the only player in NFL history who could catch a touchdown pass and then kick the extra point.” Talk about a triple threat!

These almost-Rushmore players may not have their faces carved in granite, but they’ve certainly carved their names into Patriots lore. They’re the unsung heroes, the workhorses who laid the foundation for the dynasty we know today.

So, whether you’re a die-hard Pats fan who bleeds red, white, and blue, or just a casual observer of the gridiron game, there’s no denying the impact these players have had. Now, who would make the cut in your own Patriots Mount Rushmore?