Belichick Falls Short on Hall of Fame Bid
Bill Belichick, widely regarded as one of the greatest coaches in NFL history, has been overlooked by the Pro Football Hall of Fame for the Class of 2026. According to reports, the six-time Super Bowl champion was unable to secure the necessary 40 votes from a 50-person panel of media members and former Hall of Famers.
The news was delivered to Belichick via phone call last Friday, according to ESPN sources. The report cited four unnamed individuals familiar with the voting process as saying that Belichick failed to reach the required threshold.
This snub has sparked widespread outrage, including from fellow quarterbacks who have had dealings with Belichick's teams. Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes took to social media to express his shock and disappointment, labeling it "insane" and stating he couldn't fathom how this could happen.
Despite a storied career spanning 18 years, during which time Belichick led the New England Patriots to six Super Bowl wins, the 333 regular-season and playoff victories accumulated during that span are the second most in NFL history. He also won three AP NFL Coach of the Year awards and was an early defensive assistant sensation with the New York Giants.
However, his tenure has not been without controversy. Belichick was a key figure in the infamous "Spygate" scandal in 2007, which led to a $500,000 fine after the Patriots were caught filming Jets' defensive signals during a game.
Belichick recently wrapped up his first season coaching at North Carolina, having stepped away from New England following the 2023 campaign. This snub marks one of five finalists among coaches, contributors, and senior players who last appeared in a game over 20 years ago, although it's unclear how many will ultimately be enshrined in Canton.
For now, Belichick waits to see if some of his contemporaries will join him on the long list, with several of their contributions being recognized by the Hall this year.
Bill Belichick, widely regarded as one of the greatest coaches in NFL history, has been overlooked by the Pro Football Hall of Fame for the Class of 2026. According to reports, the six-time Super Bowl champion was unable to secure the necessary 40 votes from a 50-person panel of media members and former Hall of Famers.
The news was delivered to Belichick via phone call last Friday, according to ESPN sources. The report cited four unnamed individuals familiar with the voting process as saying that Belichick failed to reach the required threshold.
This snub has sparked widespread outrage, including from fellow quarterbacks who have had dealings with Belichick's teams. Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes took to social media to express his shock and disappointment, labeling it "insane" and stating he couldn't fathom how this could happen.
Despite a storied career spanning 18 years, during which time Belichick led the New England Patriots to six Super Bowl wins, the 333 regular-season and playoff victories accumulated during that span are the second most in NFL history. He also won three AP NFL Coach of the Year awards and was an early defensive assistant sensation with the New York Giants.
However, his tenure has not been without controversy. Belichick was a key figure in the infamous "Spygate" scandal in 2007, which led to a $500,000 fine after the Patriots were caught filming Jets' defensive signals during a game.
Belichick recently wrapped up his first season coaching at North Carolina, having stepped away from New England following the 2023 campaign. This snub marks one of five finalists among coaches, contributors, and senior players who last appeared in a game over 20 years ago, although it's unclear how many will ultimately be enshrined in Canton.
For now, Belichick waits to see if some of his contemporaries will join him on the long list, with several of their contributions being recognized by the Hall this year.
I'm totally surprised 
by this news! Bill Belichick is like a legend 
in the NFL world. Six Super Bowl rings? That's insane 
. I get why people are shocked and disappointed 
, especially from other QBs who have worked with him.
... Coach Belichick hasn't been perfect 
. Who can forget Spygate? 
Still, 18 years of dominance? That's no joke 
! And those stats? Unbeatable 
.
. Either way, it's gonna be a wild ride 
!
. i mean, six super bowls? 333 wins? that's insane! 
how do you overlook all that? it just doesn't make sense to me. and yeah, spygate was a thing, but come on, it's not like he didn't have his moments of greatness on the field. plus, he's been a pioneer in the game for so long... i guess the pro football hall of fame has lost its way 
. Whatever the reason, this snub serves as a reminder that even the most accomplished individuals can fall short of recognition in the eyes of their peers 
.
And three AP NFL Coach of the Year awards? Unbeatable.
what a shocker! can't believe Bill Belichick didn't get into the hall of fame 
. i mean, six super bowls? 333 wins? come on, folks 
. it's not like he had to cheat or something (cough, spygate, cough). guess you could say he got 'snubbed' 
. and btw, patrick mahomes saying it's "insane" is just rich coming from the guy who's been riding belichick's coattails for years 
Bill Belichick is a coaching legend and it's crazy he didn't make it into the Hall of Fame this time around. I mean 333 wins is insane! 
maybe they'll add him next year tho?
anyway gotta feel for the guy tho, hes been doing it for ages and still brings that winning vibe 
cant wait to see who else gets in
Spygate? Come on, that's like, super dirty football talk 
. And let's be real, some of these voters must've been blind to all the greatness he brought to that team 
. But here's the thing: the voting process isn't just about numbers; it's also about how we perceive others, even if they're great at their jobs.
I mean, I get it, controversies happen (Spygate was a low point), but you'd think the Hall would make an exception for someone of his caliber. Patrick Mahomes is right, this is insane 
.
maybe it's just a snub to get people talking about belichick again 
or idk maybe he just didnt play the right game with the voters 
. Nonetheless, Belichick's legacy is undeniable, and I expect him to continue accumulating accolades in the years to come 
. Perhaps this snub will serve as a catalyst for future recognition, or maybe it'll simply be seen as another testament to his perseverance in an ever-evolving sports landscape 
.
I'm not gonna lie, it stings for all the Pats fans out there (I'm a huge fan too