New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft announced Tuesday morning that former coach Bill Parcells will be inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame as a contributor.
The announcement comes days before this year's Patriots Hall of Fame Nomination Committee meeting, which will select nominees for fans to vote on. While Parcells has been nominated by that committee in the past, fans have never voted him in, usually opting for players instead. Kraft had not stepped in to induct him either -- until now.
"In the early 1990s, the Patriots were in disarray," Kraft said. "But the hiring of Bill Parcells in 1993, a two-time Super Bowl Champion, brought instant credibility to the franchise. We had never had a head coach with his credentials. He was a master motivator and always got the most out of his players. In my first season as owner, he led us on that unforgettable seven-game win streak to qualify for the playoffs. Two years later, he accomplished something Patriots fans had never seen before, leading us to our first two home playoff wins in franchise history, and another trip to the Super Bowl. Those are memories I will never forget and achievements worthy of this honor. As a five-time finalist for our hall of fame, I am sure he would have been voted in eventually, but I wanted to expedite the process so he can enjoy the ceremony. I look forward to welcoming Bill back to Foxborough and celebrating his induction into the Patriots Hall of Fame."
Parcells coached the Patriots for four seasons from 1993-96. As Kraft referenced, it was the arrival of Parcells (and first overall pick Drew Bledsoe) in 1993, a year before Kraft bought the team, that returned the Pats to respectability after the franchise won just nine games total from 1990-92.
After a losing season his first year, Parcells took the Patriots to the playoffs in 1994, and then to the Super Bowl in 1996. Of course, that Super Bowl would turn out to be the final game he would coach in New England amid a messy split stemming from years of disagreements with Kraft.
That divorce, and accusations that Parcells already had one foot out the door while preparing for the Super Bowl, is likely the biggest reason Parcells had not yet been inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame.
It appears enough time has passed to at least partially heal those wounds, though, with Kraft deciding now is the time to finally welcome Parcells back to Foxborough.