New England Patriots: Drew Bledsoe to Be Inducted into Patriots Hall of Fame

In just Drew Bledsoe's first year of eligibility, the former Patriots quarterback was voted into the New England Patriots Hall of Fame. 

Bledsoe was among two other finalists—Bill Parcells and Houston Antwine—and Bledsoe raked in the largest percentage of the votes casted by fans. 

As the team announced Bledsoe's enshrinement into the Patriots' Hall, the team posted an interview between owner Robert Kraft and Bledsoe on the team's website early this morning.

Bledsoe described being voted into the Patriots' Hall as "a big deal." Bledsoe went onto say, "I really appreciate it. It's exciting and obviously a very humbling honor. I greatly look forward to it."

In a statement that was released by Kraft, he emphasized the importance of Bledsoe, the Patriots' organization and the community: “Drew Bledsoe played such an integral role in our efforts to rebuild the Patriots brand." 

Kraft went on to discuss all of the records and accomplishments that Bledsoe achieved during his time as a Patriot: 

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"I will never forget Drew’s record-setting performance in that come-from-behind victory against Minnesota the year I bought the team. It sparked a seven-game win streak and put the Patriots back in the playoffs for the first time in a decade. For a franchise that had only hosted one playoff game in its first 35 years, winning the AFC Championship Game at home in Foxborough, and taking the Patriots to the playoffs for three consecutive years were unimaginable goals prior to his arrival.” 

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During Bledsoe's nine year career as a Patriot, he broke several records and recorded several accolades as he became one of the league's elite quarterbacks.  

As Bledsoe turned the age of 23, he became the youngest player in NFL history to surpass the 10,000-yard passing plateau. 

Bledsoe holds several NFL records: most passing attempts in a season (691), most pass attempts in a game (70) and most completions in a game (45). Bledsoe also ranks in at 8th on the NFL career passing leaders list with 44,611.

The former first overall pick in 1993 will go down as one of the NFL's greatest pocket passers ever to play the game. Bledsoe had such an amazing skill-set that is ideal for NFL quarterbacks—not to mention his rocket arm. 

Bledsoe may be best known for suffering a sheared blood vessel in his chest during the team's second game in 2001 against the New York Jets, which opened the door for Tom Brady—and we all know how that ended. Bledsoe was replaced by Brady, and New England went on to win three out of four Super Bowls. 

However, Bledsoe should be recognized for his amazing play as a Patriot, and for one of his greatest moments as a professional in 2002 when he came off of the bench—after being replaced by Brady—to lead New England over the Pittsburgh Steelers to win the 2001 AFC Championship. 

Bledsoe was such a tough and fierce competitor on the field and was nothing less than a class-act off of the field. 

The New England Patriots will hold a public ceremony outside The Hall at Patriot Place on Saturday, Sept. 17.

This article was first seen at PatriotsPlus.net. Be sure to follow Tony Santorsa on Twitter @    TonySantorsa.