Bill Belichick, the most successful head coach in NFL history, will not be a first-ballot Hall of Famer. According to a report by ESPN, the longtime New England Patriots head coach has failed to secure the necessary support of 40 of the 50 voters needed for induction.
The vote took place earlier this month, with Belichick being informed of the outcome last week. He is reportedly “puzzled” and “disappointed” by the result.
Belichick’s coaching career in the NFL spanned 48 seasons, including 24 as head
coach of the Patriots between 2000 and 2023. During his time in New England, he won six Super Bowls and alongside quarterback Tom Brady played a critical role in establishing a two-decade dynasty that is looking for its equal in league history.
In addition, Belichick also earned two more Super Bowls as New York Giants defensive coordinator. His eight total rings are an all-time record.
In between his stints as head coach of the Patriots and the Cleveland Browns in the 1990s, he won a combined 333 regular season and playoff games, second most of all time, compared to 178 losses.
And yet, despite all his accomplishments, the Hall of Fame voters decided not to enshrine him at the first opportunity. That decision seemingly was the result of two scandals his Patriots were involved in — Spygate and Deflategate — as well as some lobbying by former Buffalo Bills and Indianapolis Colts general manager Bill Polian, who reportedly “told told some voters he believed Belichick should ‘wait a year’ before induction as penance for Spygate.”
Belichick, Polian and the Hall of Fame declined comment on the matter.
