The New England Patriots marked the 25th anniversary of their first Super Bowl title by bringing together 32 former players and coaches before Sunday's game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Gillette Stadium.
The reunion honored the 2001 championship squad, a team that overcame early adversity and launched a dynasty.
Hall of Famers and Key Contributors Return
Pro Football Hall of Fame members Richard Seymour, Ty Law and Adam Vinatieri were part of the gathering, along with Patriots Hall of Famers Willie McGinest, Kevin Faulk and Dante Scarnecchia.
Other key contributors from the title season included Tedy Bruschi, Troy Brown, Lawyer Milloy, Antowain Smith and Tebucky Jones.
Ten of the 11 starting defenders from Super Bowl XXXVI attended, and current Patriots coach Mike Vrabel joined the group for parts of the celebration.
Vinatieri was honored with his Pro Football Hall of Fame Ring of Excellence during halftime and reflected on his career against the Raiders.
"The Raiders fans have had a front-row seat to a lot of pretty cool moments in my career," Vinatieri said.
He also referenced the snowy 2001 playoff victory over Oakland that helped launch the Patriots dynasty.
"At the time, I thought we owned the Raiders," Vinatieri said. "And you know what?
Thanks to Tom, now we do."
Reflections on a Special Season
The 2001 season was remembered for overcoming early challenges after Drew Bledsoe's injury and Tom Brady's rise as the starting quarterback.
Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels recalled his first season with the organization as a personnel assistant.
"That makes me feel old," McDaniels said.
He described how the team developed chemistry after a difficult start and improved during the season.
"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 said.
"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," McDaniels said.
The current Patriots roster includes players who were children or not yet born during the 2001 title run.
Milton Williams, who won a championship with Philadelphia in 2025, said the achievement created a lasting bond among teammates.
"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.
Williams explained that his own championship experience helped him understand the connection between title-winning teams.
"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," Williams said.
Linebacker Christian Elliss also said he was too young to remember the first Patriots championship and recalled hearing about the later dynasty years from his father.
"I remember my dad [two-time Pro Bowler Luther Elliss] saying they won too much," Elliss said.
Former coach Doug Marrone, who was working at Tennessee in 2001, remembered watching the season unfold before later entering the NFL coaching ranks.
"We were flying back to Knoxville, and I remember flying — you remember the movie Field of Dreams, right?
Well, I didn't know that they were taking all the fans that were coming to the stadium," Marrone said.
"So, Knoxville's rural, obviously, country, so all you saw were these cars and these headlights as we were looking out the plane," Marrone said.
Marrone also reflected on the lasting value of experiences created through football.
"I think the greatest thing — you put in all the work — everyone does," Marrone said.
"Players, coaches, and then you have these experiences that as you get older you probably take for granted."
"Now I look back and I'm like 'God I wish I would have enjoyed it,' but it's in my memory so I know I'll have it for the rest of my life," Marrone said.
Vrabel, who played in the 2001 playoff game against Oakland and recorded three tackles, including one for loss, looked forward to meeting his former teammates during the anniversary event.
"I'll see those guys on Saturday. I'll see those guys for a quick dinner.
But it's exciting that there are so many guys that want to come back, and it was a special year for everybody involved," Vrabel said.
