At 6-foot-6 and 317 pounds, Richard Seymour was a towering force in the NFL trenches—and one of the most dominant defensive linemen of his generation. A three-time Super Bowl champion with the New England Patriots, a seven-time Pro Bowler, and a five-time All-Pro, Seymour’s résumé speaks for itself. Over a 12-season NFL career, he racked up 496 tackles, 57.5 sacks, and helped define an era of New England defense that terrified quarterbacks and anchored a dynasty. Yet, what’s perhaps most shocking is what he did after his final whistle blew.
While most NFL retirees find comfort in broadcasting booths or coaching sidelines, Seymour headed to a radically different arena—the poker table. With millions in career earnings already banked from football, Seymour chose to shuffle the deck and go all-in on a new passion. And not just as a casual player—he’s sat across from poker’s elite at the World Series of Poker (WSOP) and earned their respect, hand by hand. What compels a gridiron gladiator to swap shoulder pads for pocket aces? That’s the story worth telling.
This article unpacks the dual life of Richard Seymour—from his trophy-laden NFL journey to his rising status in the poker world—and how the intensity, discipline, and tactical thinking of professional football made him a surprisingly natural fit in the game of high stakes.
The NFL Beast — Seymour’s Storied Football Career
New England Patriots (2001–2008)
- Super Bowl Titles: XXXVI, XXXVIII, XXXIX
- Pro Bowls: 5 (2002–2006)
- All-Pro: 3 First-Team, 2 Second-Team
- Notable Season (2003): 57 tackles, 8 sacks, 1 fumble recovery, Super Bowl champion
Seymour was drafted 6th overall by the Patriots in the 2001 NFL Draft out of the University of Georgia. A day-one starter, he quickly became the linchpin of Bill Belichick’s defense. His blend of size, speed, and intelligence made him nearly unblockable. Seymour was not just a brute-force lineman—he was a technician, equally adept at rushing the passer and plugging up running lanes. In the Patriots’ Super Bowl runs, Seymour was often double-teamed, freeing up teammates to make plays.
Oakland Raiders (2009–2012)
- Pro Bowls: 2 (2010, 2011)
- Team Captain: All four seasons
- Notable Season (2011): 29 tackles, 6 sacks
Traded to the Raiders in a blockbuster move, Seymour brought veteran leadership to a rebuilding defense. Despite injuries and a less dominant supporting cast, he remained a standout performer and a respected locker room leader. He earned Pro Bowl nods even during losing seasons, a testament to his individual excellence.
Hanging Up the Cleats — Seymour’s NFL Retirement
Richard Seymour officially retired from professional football in 2013. At that point, his accolades were substantial: 3 Super Bowl rings, 7 Pro Bowl selections, and a reputation as one of the most disruptive linemen in modern NFL history. In 2022, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame—an honor that cemented his legacy among the sport’s greatest.
But retirement didn’t mean relaxation. Always a competitor, Seymour needed a new outlet. For some ex-athletes, retirement is a slow descent into inactivity. For Seymour, it was a transition—one filled with calculation, strategy, and a whole new kind of mental warfare.
Shuffling the Deck — Seymour’s Rise in the Poker World
What began as a casual hobby quickly became a serious pursuit for Richard Seymour. By 2014, he was already playing in competitive circuits. And it didn’t take long for the former NFL star to make an impression at the highest levels of the poker world.
According to the WSOP, Seymour has cashed in multiple prestigious events, including the WSOP Main Event—arguably the toughest tournament in the world. His most notable run came in 2019, when he finished 131st out of 8,569 players in the WSOP Main Event, earning $59,295. It wasn’t just about the money—it was about the grind, the competition, and the mental toughness that reminded him of Sundays on the field.
Per The Hendon Mob, Seymour’s total live tournament earnings now exceed $643,000. He’s cashed in major events across Las Vegas, the Bahamas, and Florida. And unlike many celebrity poker enthusiasts who rely on fame to get invites, Seymour earned his seat through skill.
Poker insiders praise his calm demeanor, analytical mind, and patience—traits that made him an elite lineman and now serve him well across the felt. “He doesn’t tilt, he doesn’t get rattled,” said one pro. “He plays like he played football—disciplined, focused, and always studying the other side.”
What makes Seymour’s transition remarkable is the rarity of such cross-domain success. Many try their hand at poker; few excel. Seymour brings a unique blend of athletic discipline and mental fortitude, and he’s become a regular face at high-stakes tables, blending seamlessly into a world that often swallows up outsiders.
This journey is also similar to Chris Moneymaker’s rise to fame when he won a satellite qualifier, where he won the chance to play in the WSOP. At the time, Moneymaker was a full-time accountant – he would later go on to win the WSOP and become a household name Eventually he would go on to be the main ambassador to Americas Cardroom and bring the brand to a global fanbase. Moneymaker – much like Seymour – shows that with dedication, even someone new to the game can succeed in poker with a clear vision.
Seymour’s poker journey is far from over. While he hasn’t yet won a WSOP bracelet, his trajectory suggests it’s only a matter of time.
From Foxborough to the Final Table — What Seymour’s Story Represents
Richard Seymour’s journey is about more than football or poker—it’s about reinvention. In a society where athletes are often defined by a single chapter in their lives, Seymour flipped the script. His story resonates with NFL fans who followed his bone-crunching tackles and now see him navigating bluffs and bets with the same intensity.
He didn’t chase the spotlight—he earned it again, in a totally new arena. That’s the mark of a true competitor. Whether you watched him terrorize quarterbacks in Foxborough or watched him calmly shove chips in Vegas, Richard Seymour remains one of the most compelling figures in the crossover between sports and strategy.
His legacy? Already Hall-of-Fame certified. But in poker, he’s writing a second act that’s every bit as impressive.
Main photo credit: © Paul Rutherford-Imagn Images
