Bill Belichick, the coach who led the New England Patriots to six Super Bowl wins, did not make it into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on his first try. The Hall's selection committee voted earlier this month and fell short of the 40 out of 50 votes required for induction. A Hall representative called Belichick last Friday to deliver the news that he would not enter the museum in Canton, Ohio, this summer.
Background
Belichick became eligible for the Hall this year after 24 years as head coach of the Patriots. His record includes 333 regular-season wins, the most in NFL history, and a total of eight Super Bowl rings—six as head coach and two as defensive coordinator for the New York Giants in the late 1980s. He built a dynasty in New England alongside quarterback Tom Brady and owner Robert Kraft, turning the team into one of the most successful franchises in sports.
The voting process started on January 13. Committee members met for eight hours to review 20 modern-era finalists, including Belichick and Kraft in their first year of eligibility. Kraft, now 84, had supporters pushing his case for years. The two men worked together for two decades but split bitterly in January 2024 when Belichick left the team. Other finalists included quarterbacks like Drew Brees and Eli Manning, plus senior candidates such as Ken Anderson, Roger Craig, and the late L.C. Greenwood.
Hall rules limit each class to five modern-era inductees. Voters keep their ballots secret until the official announcement at the NFL Honors on February 5 in San Francisco. The Hall has a strict policy against discussing votes beforehand, and it issued a statement saying it does not comment on the process.
Key Details
Belichick learned the outcome last Friday afternoon. People close to him said he sounded puzzled and let down by the result. In talks with associates over the weekend, he questioned the decision.
"Six Super Bowls isn't enough?" – Bill Belichick to an associate
He also asked another friend, "What does a guy have to do?" One person familiar with his views said Belichick saw politics behind the vote, not his record on the field.
Talks among voters reportedly touched on two scandals from the Patriots' run: Spygate in 2007 and Deflategate in 2015. Spygate led to a $500,000 fine for Belichick, a $250,000 fine for the team, and the loss of a first-round draft pick. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell handed down the penalties after the team filmed opponents' signals from the sideline. Deflategate involved underinflated footballs in a playoff game, though a court later cleared the team of wrongdoing.
One anonymous voter said the cheating issues weighed on some members. Bill Polian, a former NFL executive and committee member, faced questions about his role. Reports suggested he told others Belichick should wait a year as payback for Spygate. Polian denied it, saying he heard the idea from others but was about 95% sure he voted yes for Belichick. Later, he confirmed through Hall auditors that he did vote for the coach. Polian said he was shocked Belichick missed out and called him deserving of a spot.
Reactions from NFL Figures
The news spread quickly and drew strong responses. Tom Brady, who won six titles under Belichick, said on a Seattle radio show, "I don't understand it." He added that no coach should get in on the first ballot if Belichick does not. Patrick Mahomes posted on social media that the decision was insane. J.J. Watt and others voiced similar surprise on shows and clips.
Eli Manning, who beat Belichick's Patriots twice in Super Bowls, also missed the cut in his second year. Manning holds two Super Bowl MVPs, like Hall of Famers Joe Montana and Terry Bradshaw, who got in right away. His regular-season record sits at 117-117, with critics pointing to that and his completion percentage. Still, he ranks high in yards and touchdowns. Drew Brees is expected to make it in his first year.
The Hall responded to the reports with a statement. It warned that any voter breaking rules on secrecy could face removal from the committee. Officials plan no further comment until the full class reveal.
What This Means
Belichick remains a finalist and can try again next year. Missing the 80% threshold this time means he joins a small group of first-year locks who had to wait, though none with his resume. The vote highlights how past controversies can linger in Hall decisions, even decades later. Spygate and Deflategate still divide opinions on the Patriots' legacy.
For the Class of 2026, spots stay limited. If Brees and others lock in, it squeezes the field. Kraft's status remains unclear, adding tension given his feud with Belichick. The full list comes out soon, which could shift focus or fuel more talk.
NFL fans and insiders keep debating what counts most: wins, rings, or clean records. Belichick holds NFL records for playoff wins and Super Bowl appearances as a head coach. At 73, he shows no plans to retire from coaching and recently took a role with a college team. His path to Canton now runs through another vote, with eyes on how the committee weighs his full career.
The snub has split the football world. Some see it as fair scrutiny of rule breaks. Others call it a stain on the Hall for overlooking sheer success. Brady's reaction sums up the shock for many who watched Belichick dominate for years. As the NFL Honors near, pressure builds on the process. Voters face calls to explain, though rules block that. Belichick stays quiet for now, but his question echoes: what more is needed?
This case tests the Hall's standards. It mixes raw stats with team history and personal ties. Next year's ballot brings back names like Manning, giving them another shot. For Belichick, the wait starts now, but his place in football history needs no bust to prove.
