Julian Edelman and Bill Parcells inducted into New England Patriots Hall of Fame

A man who laid the groundwork for the Patriots to become a dynasty and a wide receiver who shattered expectations to help New England win three Super Bowls are now enshrined in Foxboro s history Julian Edelman and Bill Parcells put on their red coats for the first time on Saturday as thousands of fans turned out to Patriot Place to watch the legends be inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame Libby O'Neill Boston HeraldBill Parcells speaks to the crowd after being inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame on Saturday Libby O'Neill Boston Herald Libby O'Neill Boston HeraldJulian Edelman signs autographs for fans after his Patriots Hall of Fame induction ceremony at Patriot Place Plaza Saturday Libby O'Neill Boston Herald Patriots fans cheer during the Hall of Fame induction ceremony for Julian Edelman and Bill Parcells at Patriot Place Plaza Libby O'Neill Boston Herald Libby O'Neill Boston HeraldA fan dressed as the Patriots mascot sits among the crowd during the Hall of Fame induction ceremony for Julian Edelman and Bill Parcells at Patriot Place Plaza Libby O'Neill Boston Herald Julian Edelman signs a fan's arm after his Patriots Hall of Fame induction ceremony at Patriot Place Plaza Libby O'Neill Boston Herald Bill Parcells shows off his new Patriots Hall of Fame jacket during the induction ceremony at Patriot Place Plaza Libby O'Neill Boston Herald Julian Edelman speaks during his Patriots Hall of Fame induction ceremony at Patriot Place Plaza Libby O'Neill Boston Herald Show CaptionLibby O'Neill Boston Herald of Bill Parcells speaks to the crowd after being inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame on Saturday Libby O'Neill Boston Herald Expand These two men have helped provide all of us with so various amazing memories long-time stadium voice John Rooke explained at the beginning of an emotional two-hour ceremony so the present day it is our turn to make this moment memorable for them and their families Edelman and Parcells sat on stage with fellow Hall of Famers Raymond Claiborne Ty Law Willie McGinnest Stanley Morgan Dante Scarnecchia Andre Tippett and Mike Vrabel who is in his first season as Patriots head coach Fans voted Edelman into the Hall of Fame this past May signaling their appreciation for a wide receiver who squad President Jonathan Kraft disclosed Saturday wasn t supposed to make the band his rookie year That s because the Patriots drafted Edelman in the seventh round of the NFL Draft He played quarterback at Kent State but New England yearned to test him as a pass catcher Edelman earned his keep He caught chosen of preponderance memorable passes from legendary quarterback Tom Brady en road to three Super Bowl victories being named as MVP in the last Super Bowl LIII against the Rams Julian walked into Foxboro without any fanfare Kraft commented Julian wasn t even supposed to make the gang his rookie year He certainly wasn t supposed to go on to become Tom Brady s go-to guy And he definitely wasn t supposed to go on to become a Super Bowl MVP But Julian didn t just defy the expectations the organization president added he obliterated them Edelman spoke passionately about his -year career all spent in New England and became emotional at times He admitted he had to Google where Foxboro was after he was drafted and he called seeing Brady pass to Randy Moss poetry in motion He gave thanks to an endless list of teammates coaches and staffers throughout the entire franchise But it was the fans he shared the the majority appreciation for It s something that is unimaginable Edelman recounted reporters It s crazy and it warms my heart so much to have a connection with the district that I got to represent for years I became an adult here This place will constantly have an impact on me Parcells was nominated five times by the Hall s selection committee before club owner Robert Kraft made an exception and personally extended an invitation over the phone last March Parcells legitimized the franchise upon his arrival as a Super Bowl-winning coach in and took the Patriots to the playoffs in two of his four seasons The Patriots enjoyed a three-win jump in his first season then made the playoffs the following year when Parcells was named NFL Coach of the Year After a down season in Parcells led the Patriots to their second Super Bowl appearance in franchise history thanks to a - AFC Championship win over the Jaguars Robert Kraft recounted Saturday how the Patriots ended Parcells first year on a four-game win streak finishing with a dramatic overtime supremacy against the Dolphins It was the largest part excitement that Patriots fans felt in nearly a decade the squad owner disclosed That momentum and belief he inspired was a major reason I made the decision to keep the group here in New England preventing it from moving to St Louis Parcells controversial exit to coach the Jets in stoked a division rivalry for years to come During his speech Saturday he recalled memories and lessons he gained from when he started his NFL coaching career as the linebackers coach for the Patriots in under head coach Ron Erhardt This place has a place in my heart Parcells revealed It dependably will We sometimes reflect on things he added and you wish you would ve done things a little differently When I come back here and see this I wish I would ve done things a bit differently