“I didn’t read that right, did I? That’s IMPOSSIBLE, EGREGIOUS, and quite frankly DISRESPECTFUL!” wrote LeBron James on X. “Crazy… I don’t even understand how this is possible,” added Patrick Mahomes. Two of the biggest stars in American and global sports were among the first to react to a decision now labeled a scandal.
Bill Belichick, the legendary coach who led the New England Patriots to six Super Bowl victories and built the greatest dynasty in NFL history, will not be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame this year — his first year of eligibility. The 73-year-old, now coaching at the University of North Carolina, failed to receive the necessary 40 votes from the 50-member selection panel. He will have to wait at least another year for the honor.
Belichick’s career is nothing short of legendary. Before his time with the Patriots, he won two Super Bowl rings as defensive coordinator for the New York Giants. In 2000, he took over as head coach of the New England franchise, a role he held until 2023. Over those two decades, he built an unmatched résumé: six Super Bowl wins (most all-time among head coaches), nine conference titles and Super Bowl appearances (also most), 31 playoff victories (first all-time), 302 regular-season wins (third), and 333 total wins (second). He led the Patriots to the playoffs for 19 consecutive seasons (a record), and made Tom Brady the greatest quarterback ever by betting on him when no one else would.
Without question, Belichick deserved a place in Canton, Ohio, home of the Hall of Fame. But the voters — primarily journalists from NFL cities and a group of lifetime delegates — decided otherwise.
Why the snub? According to reports in U.S. media, some voters were influenced by two scandals that marred Belichick’s tenure with the Patriots. The first was Spygate in 2007, when New England was caught recording opposing coaches’ signals during games — a prohibited practice. Belichick was held primarily responsible, fined $500,000, and the Patriots lost a first-round draft pick. The second was Deflategate in 2015, when Tom Brady was accused of ordering footballs to be deflated for a playoff game. Brady was suspended four games, and the Patriots were fined $1 million and lost two draft picks.
Despite these controversies, Belichick won 100 games and led the Patriots to three Super Bowls (winning two) after the Deflategate punishment. His post-scandal résumé alone, many argue, earns him a Hall of Fame spot.
