By Matt Dolloff, 985TheSportsHub.com
Richard Seymour just had his best run yet at poker’s biggest tournament of the year.
The former Patriots defensive end was eliminated near the end of Day 5 of the 2019 World Series of Poker Main Event, but his 131st place finish marks his best result yet in the annual $10,000 tournament, still considered the crown jewel of poker events. The winner will receive a $10 million prize; Seymour cashed in $59,295 for finishing in the 100-162 range.
incredible experience... disappointed to leave! really appreciate the outpour of support #grateful #champion #whatsinthebag ???? pic.twitter.com/E6rXnJ9NPg
— Richard Seymour (@BigSey93) July 11, 2019
Seymour’s cash is his first in the Main Event and fourth overall at the WSOP (via WSOP.com). His previous high earnings in a single WSOP tournament came in the 2017 $1,500 No-Limit Hold’em event, where he finished 24th out of 1,580 entrants and won $11,144.
Here’s a video of Seymour making a big lay-down on a hand where he was a 65 percent favorite to win with 10-10 against 6-5 on a 4-2-8 flop. His opponent, Jeffrey Eldred, pushed all-in with his double-gutshot straight draw and got Seymour to fold the best hand, then showed his cards to rub it in. Eldred, however, ended up being eliminated before Seymour as he finished 147th.
Oh my.... woulda made the same play with the 6-5 double gutted but the nit roll from Richard Seymour.... scared money don’t make no money rich pic.twitter.com/YvFpfzGcVC
— Travis (@Travisgbtbb) July 11, 2019
He’d have to win a major event to earn anything close to what he made as a football player, but Seymour is continuing to gain traction in a second career of sorts on the poker circuit. He most notably cashed $376,360 when he finished third at the $25,000 No-Limit Hold’em event at the 2018 PokerStars Caribbean Adventure.
Seymour is still waiting for Hall of Fame honors from the Patriots and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, and he should eventually get both. But he continues to inch closer toward adding a WSOP bracelet to his hardware collection.
Matt Dolloff is a digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Follow him on Twitter @mattdolloff or email him at matthew.dolloff@bbgi.com.