The New England Patriots organization will induct Willie McGinest (1994-2005) and Houston Antwine (1961-1971) into the teams Hall of Fame on August 5, 2015. The event will begin at 5:00 p.m. and is free and open to the public. McGinest and Antwine will join past inductees (Induction years in parenthesis) John Hannah (1991) Nick Buoniconti (1992) Gino Cappelletti (1992) Steve Nelson (1993) Vito “Babe” Parilli (1993) Jim Lee Hunt (1993) Bob Dee (1993) Mike Haynes (1994) Steve Grogan (1995) Andre Tippett (1999) Bruce Armstrong (2001) Stanley Morgan (2007) Ben Coates (2008) Jim Nance (2009) William H. “Billy” Sullivan, Jr. (2009) Sam Cunningham (2010) Jon Morris (2011) Drew Bledsoe (2011) Troy Brown (2012) Tedy Bruschi (2013) Gil Santos (2013 Ty Law (2014) Houston Antwine was a star defender in the American Football League (A.F.L.) being named an All-Star six straight years, from 1963 through 1968, honors which secured his place on the AFL’s All-Time team.
As a member of the Patriots, Antwine tallied 39 total sacks while leading the team in that category in the 1967, 1968 and 1969 seasons.
Drafted out of Southern Illinois in 1961 by both the Detroit Lions of the powerful NFL and the Houston Oilers of the newly formed AFL, he chose the new league, and was swiftly traded by the Oilers who sent him to the Patriots. In Boston, Antwine formed a ferocious defensive pairing with line-mate Jim Lee Hunt.
Antwine passed away at the age of 72 in 2011.
Willie McGinest was a fan favorite most notably remembered for coming up with big plays at the most crucial times. His 16 career postseason sacks are an NFL record and he also owns the post-season single game sack record with 4½.
He was a key cog on the championship defenses of 2001, 2003, and 2004.
Following four standout years at Southern California, McGinest was taken by the Patriots in the first round, fourth overall, of the 1994 NFL draft. During his 12 seasons in New England, he led the team in sacks six times while recording 78 total quarterback takedowns.
For more information, please visit www.thehallatpatriotplace.com.
Christian A. Guarino, a Boston North End resident, writes about football and soccer for the Boston Post Gazette.
