When Raymond Clayborn got the call from Robert Kraft that he would be a Patriots Hall of Famer, the former cornerback was taken aback.
Clayborn had been a finalist for the honor the last three years, but even though he was on the ballot for a fourth straight year, he didn’t seem to think this would be the year.
But Clayborn was able to break through a string of Patriots Super Bowl winners. After getting beaten out by Ty Law in 2014, then Willie McGinest in 2015 and Kevin Faulk last year, Clayborn edged Richard Seymour and Mike Vrabel for this year’s honor.