Robert Kraft, long-time owner of the New England Patriots, has reportedly been left out of this year's Pro Football Hall of Fame class, joining his former coach Bill Belichick. According to sources cited by ESPN, Kraft failed to secure enough votes to be inducted, despite a storied career with the team.
The move comes as no surprise given the tumultuous relationship between Kraft and Belichick, who led the Patriots to six Super Bowl victories over nearly two decades. If the Patriots win Sunday's Super Bowl against the Seattle Seahawks, it would mark Kraft's first championship without Belichick at the helm. The win would also push the Patriots past the Pittsburgh Steelers for the most Super Bowl wins by a franchise.
Belichick himself was snubbed from the Hall of Fame this year, sparking a mix of surprise and frustration given his impressive resume as one of the greatest coaches in NFL history. When told he hadn't made the cut, Belichick quipped, "Six Super Bowls isn't enough?"
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has expressed support for both Kraft and Belichick, stating that they are "spectacular" contributors to the game who deserve to be in the Hall of Fame. However, the NFL does not decide who is inducted.
Kraft's exclusion from the Hall of Fame had been speculated to be due to controversy surrounding the team's reputation, including the Spygate and Deflategate scandals. Kraft has repeatedly denied attempting to lobby voters to keep Belichick out, saying that Belichick's record speaks for itself.
The move comes as no surprise given the tumultuous relationship between Kraft and Belichick, who led the Patriots to six Super Bowl victories over nearly two decades. If the Patriots win Sunday's Super Bowl against the Seattle Seahawks, it would mark Kraft's first championship without Belichick at the helm. The win would also push the Patriots past the Pittsburgh Steelers for the most Super Bowl wins by a franchise.
Belichick himself was snubbed from the Hall of Fame this year, sparking a mix of surprise and frustration given his impressive resume as one of the greatest coaches in NFL history. When told he hadn't made the cut, Belichick quipped, "Six Super Bowls isn't enough?"
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has expressed support for both Kraft and Belichick, stating that they are "spectacular" contributors to the game who deserve to be in the Hall of Fame. However, the NFL does not decide who is inducted.
Kraft's exclusion from the Hall of Fame had been speculated to be due to controversy surrounding the team's reputation, including the Spygate and Deflategate scandals. Kraft has repeatedly denied attempting to lobby voters to keep Belichick out, saying that Belichick's record speaks for itself.
I'm not surprised about Robert Kraft getting left out of the Pro Football Hall of Fame this year... considering all the drama he's been involved in with the team 
He had a solid career as an owner, but the scandals definitely didn't help his case 
Belichick already said he's good enough without the ring, so maybe Kraft is just not good enough? 
On a serious note, it's crazy how much controversy surrounds these kinds of decisions. I guess you can never be too sure about who gets in or out 
Still think Belichick has a shot at getting in next year though 
... i mean i get it, no one's perfect and all that but robert kraft's been with the patriots for ages, what more do they want? six super bowls isn't enough? lol, belichick's got a point there 
. but i guess that's the way it goes sometimes... all good things must come to an end 
.
. But at the same time, I get it - the whole Spygate & Deflategate stuff was pretty shady 
. It's like, you can't just gloss over that kinda thing in a Hall of Fame induction... unless Belichick was gonna be left out too 
. That would've been even more awkward! 
i mean six super bowls is insane but i guess you gotta consider the whole spygate scandal and stuff. i think it's kinda unfair on kraft tho, he's been a huge part of the team's history and all... maybe they should have made an exception this year 
and btw if the pats win sunday, will it even matter? lol who cares about hof when you've got a super bowl to win 
. But at the same time, I get why some people might be hesitant to give him the Hall of Fame nod - that Spygate and Deflategate drama was pretty messy 
. Still, you've gotta respect Kraft's dedication to the sport and his commitment to making the Patriots a winning team 
.
. It's a tough call, but hey, that's what makes it so interesting! 
. maybe next year? 
his whole deal was always more about building that dynasty than being on the field himself, so to me it makes kinda sense? still weird tho 'cause belichick got snubbed too 
but not surprised at all about Robert Kraft getting left out of the Pro Football Hall of Fame this year! 
The whole situation with Belichick too... 
is pretty funny! 
both Kraft and Belichick are huge contributors to the game and they definitely deserve some recognition 
i mean what even is goin on with these hall of famers?! robert kraft gets snubbed like a week after belichick does and its not even like they were rivals or anything... its just that belichick wasnt gettin the love he thought he deserved (like who isnt?! 
I'm kinda surprised by the news, you know? Both Belichick and Kraft have been with the Patriots for so long, it's hard not to think of them as a package deal. But at the same time, I get why the voters might be hesitant to induct Belichick, even if his record is impressive. He can come across kinda... intense 
. And Kraft's got some baggage too 