US EditionLegendary former Patriots coach Bill Belichick falls short of Pro Football Hall of Fame on first ballot
Belichick missed the 80% vote threshold amid concerns over Patriots' cheating scandals and rival lobbying, delaying his Hall of Fame eligibility until 2027.
- On Jan. 27, 2026, Bill Belichick did not receive the 40 votes required from the 50-person Pro Football Hall of Fame selection committee and was notified last Friday that he will not be inducted in Canton, Ohio, this summer.
- Voters recalled past scandals as multiple sources told ESPN that Spygate and Deflategate influenced opinions, while Hall of Famer and former general manager Bill Polian urged some voters to "wait a year" as penance for Spygate.
- With a 333-178 record including playoffs, Bill Belichick earned eight Super Bowl rings, six as head coach, plus 17 division titles and nine conference championships.
- Belichick will be eligible again next year, and longtime Hall voter Peter King said, `It pushes all three of these coaches back a year`, affecting Shanahan, Coughlin and Holmgren.
- Peter King reacted that `A lot of things happen in that room that are unexpected. And of course this is a big surprise to me,` while Patrick Mahomes and J.J. Watt questioned the result on social media.
18 Articles
18 Articles
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Bill Belichick falls short of being a first-ballot Hall of Famer, despite six Super Bowl wins as Patriots coach - The Boston Globe
Belichick, one of five finalists for the Hall’s Class of 2026, did not secure the necessary 40 votes from the 50-person selection committee. Patriots owner Robert Kraft is one of the other finalists.
Bill Belichick reportedly missing out on being first-ballot Hall of Famer draws swift backlash
Bill Belichick, who won eight Super Bowl titles and won more than 300 games as head coach, will not be a first-ballot Pro Football Hall of Famer, according to a report.
Report: Ex-Colts GM told Hall of Fame voters Bill Belichick should ‘wait a year’ as punishment for Spygate
Bill Belichick won’t be a first ballot Hall of Famer, according to ESPN, who reports one of the coach’s long-time rivals worked to dissuade voters from enshrining him.
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