Bill Belichick Pro Football Hall of Fame controversy preceded big voting changes
Pro Football Hall of Fame changes voting rules following Belichick’s snub
The Pro Football Hall of Fame has overhauled its enshrinement process with sweeping changes, following controversy over Bill Belichick’s Hall of Fame snub.
“The Hoodie” may finally add a gold jacket to his wardrobe come 2027.
Former New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick will have to wait at least until 2027 in order to hear his named called for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. After his snub in 2026 – and the reaction that followed – entry in 2027 felt like a foregone conclusion. However, an update in the Hall’s voting process may make it a bit easier for the eight-time Super Bowl champ.
On Sept. 4, the Pro Football Hall of Fame announced wholesale changes to its voting process, most notably slashing the amount of selectors from 50 to 28 (25 voters, three non-voters), allowing less wiggle room among the contingent to debate, but also weighing the voices in the room more heavily.
Depending on the committee of voters, that means that Belichick, who reportedly received 39 of 50 votes, one vote shy of induction, would almost certainly be a lock to make the trip to Canton next year.
But, why didn’t Belichick make it in the first time? There might be a few reasons:
Why didn’t Bill Belichick make the Hall of Fame?
Belichick failed to receive the votes needed to earn enshrinement into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Individuals nominated for the Hall of Fame must receive 40 votes from the 50-person panel to be inducted.
That 50-person panel, though, is no more. On Aug. 4, the Hall of Fame announced that the selectors will reduce to 28 (25 voters, three non-voters).
Belichick, who reportedly received 39 of a required 40 votes for induction last year. The percentage for induction remains the same: A candidate must receive 80% of the vote (20 of 25 votes, previously 40 of 50) in order to be fitted for that gold jacket.
Because voting is not public, the panel of voters – comprised mainly of journalists – who did not vote for Belichick are not required to explain the reasoning for their decision.
Could Belichick’s NFL controversies have played a part in the snub? The Patriots were the perpetrators of a couple of “Gates” while Belichick was at the helm, with Spygate and Deflategate scandals earning him the largest fine ever doled out to an NFL coach ($500,000).
Others will point to Belichick’s lack of success as a head coach without Tom Brady as a wart – though Brady has routinely advocated for his decades-long coach to be enshrined in Canton.
Rumors also surfaced that former Indianapolis Colts general manager Bill Polian may have spearheaded a behind-the-scenes campaign to keep Belichick out of the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.
Polian referred to those allegations as “unequivocally false” in a conversation with USA TODAY Sports’ Jarrett Bell.
“I was shocked that he didn’t get in,” Polian told Bell. “He deserves to be in the Hall, without question. He’s eminently qualified. I’m sorry he didn’t get in. I look forward to voting for him next year.”
Now, with an adjusted voting process, Belichick faces a more-than realistic opportunity to earn a gold jacket in 2027.
Bill Belichick career record
Belichick posted a 333-188 record across his 29 seasons as an NFL head coach, playoffs included. Only Don Shula (347) has more wins than him and Belichick is one of just three coaches with 300 regular-season wins, along with Shula and George Halas.
Belichick’s 31 postseason wins are the most in NFL history. Only current Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid (28) is within shouting distance.
How many Super Bowls has Bill Belichick won?
Belichick has won eight Super Bowls during his career, the most by any individual. A pair came with the New York Giants, where he served as the team’s defensive coordinator under Bill Parcells, and six came with the New England Patriots.
Belichick made it to an additional three Super Bowls as New England’s head coach.
2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame class
Five individuals were voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2026. They are as follows:
- Quarterback Drew Brees (San Diego Chargers, New Orleans Saints, 2001-2020)
- Running back Roger Craig (San Francisco 49ers, Los Angeles Raiders, Minnesota Vikings, 1983-1993)
- Linebacker Luke Kuechly (Carolina Panthers, 2012-2019)
- Wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (Arizona Cardinals, 2004-2020)
- Kicker Adam Vinatieri (New England Patriots, Indianapolis Colts, 1995-2019)