Parcells on Pats exit: Wish I did things differently

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Bill Parcells was inducted into the New England Patriots Hall of Fame connected Saturday, saying the franchise volition ever person a spot successful his bosom earlier referencing his acrimonious departure successful 1997.

"We sometimes bespeak connected things, and you privation you would person done things a small differently," Parcells, 84, said connected a sun-splashed time successful which hundreds gathered for a ceremonial that besides included the induction of three-time Super Bowl champion Julian Edelman. "I travel backmost present and I spot this, I privation I would person done things a small differently."

Parcells coached the Patriots from 1993 to 1996, bringing credibility and title pedigree to an enactment that had been 1 of the NFL's worst astatine the time.

Robert Kraft, a longtime Patriots instrumentality who was a season-ticket member, officially purchased the squad successful 1994. Parcells had a well-documented divided with Kraft aft starring the Patriots to Super Bowl XXXI successful the 1996 season, becoming caput manager of the rival New York Jets.

"Over the years, we've some mellowed," Kraft said successful introducing Parcells. "We've shared laughs, swapped stories and reflected connected the instauration we built together. I privation to say, 'Thank you, Bill. Thank you for the fire. Thank you for the fight. Thank you for the foundation. And convey you for the galore contributions you made to this franchise.'"

Parcells, wearing the accepted reddish overgarment for inductees, spoke to the assemblage for 12 minutes and shared wherefore the infinitesimal was humbling and meaningful to him arsenic helium began his NFL coaching vocation arsenic a Patriots adjunct manager successful 1980.

It was a full-circle infinitesimal for Parcells, who credited longtime enforcement Bucko Kilroy and erstwhile manager and enforcement Mike Holovak for teaching him however to measure players, saying they "probably had much power connected maine than immoderate different azygous radical successful pro football."

Parcells, who was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame successful 2013, had been a five-time finalist for the Patriots Hall of Fame, whose inductees are voted by fans.

Edelman won this year's instrumentality vote, but successful April, the 84-year-old Kraft announced helium was inducting Parcells arsenic a contributor due to the fact that helium wanted to spot him enshrined portion some were alive.

Parcells' code sparked galore cheers from the crowd, including erstwhile helium turned to Edelman and said, "I privation I could person got my hands connected you [to coach]!"

That helped acceptable the signifier for Edelman's induction, arsenic the wide receiver's clutch play successful the postseason (second all-time successful NFL past successful playoffs receptions and yards) and spending his full 12-year vocation with New England were highlighted by squad president Jonathan Kraft successful introductory remarks.

"Julian wasn't conscionable clutch, helium was chaos successful cleats," Kraft said. "He made each kid successful New England that it was astir bosom implicit hype, and that being underestimated fuels greatness."

Edelman, a seventh-round draught prime retired of Kent State successful 2009, called his enshrinement surreal.

"For years I would thrust up to this stadium praying it wouldn't beryllium my last," helium said. "There was truthful overmuch uncertainty that comes with a late-round prime chasing his imagination to play successful this league. I'm truthful gladsome this spot became my home. To basal present now, knowing I'm everlastingly portion of this organization's history, is the eventual honor."