Willie McGinest elected to Patriots Hall of Fame

It's been a rough offseason for the New England Patriots, but there was reason to celebrate Tuesday.

The Patriots announced that former linebacker Willie McGinest was elected to the team's Hall of Fame.

McGinest, a three-time Super Bowl champion, becomes the 24th member of the Patriots Hall of Fame.

"Just a few months after I bought the Patriots, we drafted Willie McGinest in the first round of the 1994 NFL Draft," said Patriots Chairman and CEO Robert Kraft. "We came into the NFL together and will always share a special bond. During his 12-year Patriots career, Willie played a critical role in transforming us from a cellar dweller into a championship-caliber team.

"He was a leader of a defensive unit that propelled the Patriots to our first Super Bowl Championship in 2001. His leadership during the season and dominance in the postseason proved principal to our success in winning back-to-back titles in 2003 and 2004. Willie was a part of so many memorable moments for Patriots fans during his career."

McGinest retired after the 2008 season and ranks third in team history with 78 sacks.