Bill Belichick sensationally missed out on the Pro Football Hall of Fame by just a single vote, it has emerged.
The 73-year-old, who won a record six Super Bowls as head coach of the New England Patriots and two as assistant coach of the New England Giants, was widely expected to be a first-ballot Hall of Famer.
But earlier this week, it was revealed that Belichick had fallen short of the 40 votes required to be enshrined in Canton.
The result sparked outrage across the sports world, with Donald Trump and Tom Brady among those to slam voters.
Now, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette columnist Gerry Dulac – one of the Hall of Fame voters – claims that Belichick needed just one more backer to make the cut.
‘To be elected, a candidate has to receive at least 80 percent of the votes, or, in this instance, 40 of the 50,’ Dulac wrote. ‘Belichick, according to a published report, did not. He received 39.’
Bill Belichick sensationally missed out on the Pro Football Hall of Fame by just a single vote
The NFL legend, 73, was hoping to be enshrined at the Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio
The 73-year-old won a record six Super Bowls as head coach of the New England Patriots
Dulac did not reveal who he voted for. But he called the outcome ’embarrassing’ and said ‘this whole mess has placed the Pro Football Hall of Fame in a precarious, unflattering position.’
Amid the outrage, some members of the selection committee have revealed whether or not they voted for the former Patriots head coach.
And earlier this week, the Hall of Fame released a cryptic statement, warning selection committee members of potential expulsion if they violated rules.
‘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,’ began the statement, which curiously did not mention Belichick, or anyone else, by name. ‘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.’
It is unclear what violations may have taken place – if any – in part because those bylaws are not publicly available.
