The Pro Football Hall of Fame released a statement on Wednesday following a Tuesday report that six-time Super Bowl-winning head coach Bill Belichick was not voted in the Class of 2026 in his first year of eligibility.
Per the statement, if it is determined voting members “violated the selection process bylaws” that “action will be taken,” including removal as a member of the selection committee.
ESPN reported on Tuesday that Belichick did not receive the necessary 40 votes from the 50-person panel, news that prompted swift and robust criticism throughout the sport. The Hall of Fame’s statement did not mention Belichick by name, instead referring to “media reports related to” its Class of 2026.
“The Pro Football Hall of Fame understands and respects the passionate reaction of many fans, media members and enshrinees of the Hall itself in light of published reports regarding the voting results for the Class of 2026,” the Hall said. “It’s that very passion that propels the game. The Hall also respects the members of the Selection Committee when they follow the selection process bylaws. It is an honor to serve as a selector.
“Each year, the Hall reviews the selection process and the composition of the 50-person Selection Committee. If it is determined that any member(s) violated the selection process bylaws, they understand action will be taken. That could include the possibility that such selector(s) would not remain a member of the committee moving forward.
“The selection of a new class is the most important duty the Hall of Fame oversees each year, and the integrity of that process cannot be in question.”
ESPN, citing several sources who spoke with the coach this past weekend, reported that Belichick was “puzzled” and “disappointed” by the result of the vote.
The report of Belichick’s snub was met with significant criticism, including from Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who posted Tuesday on social media: “Insane … don’t even understand how this could be possible.”
The public outcry continued to grow on Wednesday with former Patriots star quarterback Tom Brady, who won six Super Bowl titles with Belichick, and New England owner Robert Kraft voicing their displeasure.
“I just think that to me, I don’t understand it,” Brady said in a Wednesday appearance on Seattle Sports’ Brock and Salk show.. “I mean, I was with him every day. If he’s not a first-ballot Hall of Famer, there’s really no coach that should ever be a first-ballot Hall of Famer, which is completely ridiculous because people deserve it. He’s incredible. There’s no coach I’d rather play for. If I’m picking one coach to go out there, to win a Super Bowl, give me one season, I’m taking Bill Belichick.”
Belichick “unequivocally deserves to be a unanimous first-ballot Pro Football Hall of Famer,” said Kraft, who is a contributor finalist for this year’s Hall of Fame class, in a statement to The Associated Press.
Belichick was hired by New England in 2000 and led the franchise to six Super Bowl wins and three other appearances in the title game during an 18-year span from 2001-18. Belichick’s 333 wins in the regular season and playoffs with New England and the Cleveland Browns are second all time to Don Shula’s 347. He won AP NFL Coach of the Year three times. Belichick also was one of the game’s top defensive assistants before taking over in New England, winning two earlier Super Bowls as defensive coordinator for the New York Giants.
Belichick’s career did have blemishes. He was implicated in a sign-stealing scandal dubbed “Spygate” in the 2007 season and was fined $500,000 after the team was caught filming defensive signals from the New York Jets during a game.
Belichick’s tenure in New England ended following the 2023 season. He just finished his first year coaching in college at North Carolina.
The Associated Press contributed to this report