Patriots Celebrate 2001 Champions at Foxborough Reunion

The New England Patriots honored their 2001 championship team at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough before their game against the Las Vegas Raiders, bringing back 32 players and coaches to mark the 25th anniversary of the franchise's first Super Bowl title.

According to the Boston Herald, the returning group included Hall of Fame members Richard Seymour, Ty Law and Adam Vinatieri, along with Patriots legends Tedy Bruschi, Troy Brown, Lawyer Milloy and others from the historic roster.

The reunion highlighted the team that defeated the Raiders in the snowy playoff game later known as the Tuck Rule game before beating the Rams in Super Bowl XXXVI. Sports Illustrated reported the franchise has since won six Super Bowls and reached 10 championships games.

The pregame ceremony introduced the former players together, with the team entering to U2's "Beautiful Day." The phrase "introduced as a team" was used during the ceremony description by the Boston Herald.

Owner Robert Kraft reflected on the 2001 season's importance in comments reported by Sports Illustrated. "I just think that snow game opened the door," Kraft said. "And this team really created the foundation of everything that’s happened. There’s a certain pride here—we’re different."

Kraft also recalled the conditions before the playoff win over the Raiders, saying the snow gave New England confidence. "And it made me happy because I knew it was foreign to the Raiders," Kraft said.

Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, who was a Patriots personnel assistant during the 2001 season, discussed the team's development. "That makes me feel old," McDaniels said. "Boy, I was young. I think that team embodied all the right things, kind of fought through some early season adversity with the Drew [Bledsoe injury] situation.

McDaniels continued describing the group that eventually became champions. "Had a lot of new players getting used to each other, getting familiar with how to play with one another in a system that I’m sure was new for a lot of those guys we brought in that year or drafted. We were, if I’m not mistaken, 5-5 after ten weeks and as happens often in this league figured out how to win."

Current Patriots players also reflected on the legacy of the 2001 team. Milton Williams, who was two years old during the championship season, discussed the lasting connection created by winning a title.

"I don’t know if I remember the Super Bowl in 2001, but when you win with a group of guys that organization is going to be tied together forever," Williams said. "I was blessed to be able to do that in Philly. Some of the guys over there are still my guys, I’m rooting for them to play well, but I’m also trying to get one in New England."

Linebacker Christian Elliss said his first memories of the Patriots dynasty came later, after the team had already established itself as a dominant franchise.

"I remember my dad [two-time Pro Bowler Luther Elliss] saying they won too much," Christian Elliss said. "I don’t remember the first one."

Vinatieri received his Pro Football Hall of Fame Ring of Excellence during halftime and referenced his history against the Raiders. "At the time, I thought we owned the Raiders," Vinatieri said. "And you know what? Thanks to Tom, now we do."

During the ceremony, Vinatieri also addressed Raiders supporters in attendance. "Have had a front-row seat to a lot of pretty cool moments in my career," Vinatieri said of those fans.

Tom Brady and Bill Belichick were notable absences from the celebration. Belichick was with the North Carolina Tar Heels after a win over Pittsburgh, while Brady was working as a FOX NFL analyst and is a minority owner of the Raiders.