Bill Belichick will not be first-ballot Hall of Famer despite winning eight Super Bowl titles, including six as head coach of the New England Patriots and two as the New York Giants defensive coordinator.
ESPN revealed the news Tuesday evening, claiming Belichick did not get the requisite 40 minimal votes needed for induction in Canton, Ohio. He can still be on the ballot for up to 20 years, so Belichick has a very good chance at enshrinement at some point in the future.
The Hall of Fame called Belichick Friday afternoon to tell him the news, ESPN reported.
Now the head coach at North Carolina, Belichick was left both ‘puzzled’ and ‘disappointed’ after failing to secure the requisite 80-percent of the vote from HOF committee members.
‘Six Super Bowls isn’t enough?’ one source close to Belichick told ESPN. ‘What does a guy have to do?’
Another source blamed ‘politics’ for keeping Belichick out Canton.
Bill Belichick has more Super Bowl titles (six) than any head coach in NFL history
Belichick’s rival and former boss, Robert Kraft, is a Hall-of-Fame finalist this year
‘Politics kept him out,’ the source told ESPN. ‘He doesn’t believe this is a reflection on his accomplishments.’
The source did not reveal the specific ‘politics’ they were referring to.
Belichick, who is second in NFL coaching wins behind only Don Shula, has declined comment and the Hall of Fame has yet to speak publicly on the issue.
The Hall of Fame’s Class of 2026 will be named during Super Bowl week.
Interestingly, Patriots owner and rumored Belichick-rival Robert Kraft is a finalist for the Hall of Fame.
As far as players, Super Bowl-winning quarterback Drew Brees and legendary receiver Larry Fitzgerald headline a group of four modern-era finalists entering their first year of eligibility.
Tight end Jason Witten and running back Frank Gore are also first-year candidates, while right tackle Willie Anderson, wideout Torry Holt, linebacker Luke Kuechly and kicker Adam Vinatieri are all back as finalists.
Six other returning finalists include quarterback Eli Manning, receiver Reggie Wayne, offensive guards Jahri Evans and Marshal Yandal, as well as safety Darren Woodson and edge rusher Terrell Suggs.
