Bill Belichick is getting support from New England Patriots players after reports surfaced that the legendary coach was not elected to this year’s Pro Football Hall of Fame.
While the 2026 class for the Pro Football Hall of Fame has yet to be officially revealed, ESPN journalists Don Van Natta Jr. i Seth Wickersham reported Monday, Jan. 26, that Belichick, 73, did not receive enough votes to receive the honor. This was Belichick’s first year of eligibility.
Amid rumors that Belichick didn’t make the cut, several players took to social media to express their frustration.
“Smh,” Julian Edelmanwho played 12 seasons with the Patriots under Belichick, he wrote via X on Tuesday, Jan. 27, along with ESPN’s report on the coach’s alleged snub.
Bob Levey/Getty Images Tom Brady and Bill Belichick will forever be New England Patriots royalty, even if neither is part of the organization. “I’m incredibly grateful to have played for the greatest coach in NFL history,” Brady, 46, wrote via Instagram on Thursday, Jan. 11, after the Patriots announced that (…)
Former center of the Patriots David Andrews also reacted to the speculation, writing: “I mean this is crazy. What are we voting for?”
Jason McCourtywho was a cornerback for the Patriots for two seasons at the end of Belchick’s time with the team, expressed confusion about his former coach’s alleged snub.
“I need someone to explain to me what a first-ballot hall of fame coach looks like if it’s not Bill!” McCourty, 38, tweeted Tuesday.
McCourty also defended Belichick for the dedication he put into the team during his time with the Patriots.
“The amount of time I would spend in meetings discussing the history of each team from ownership to players was unreal,” McCourty tweeted Tuesday. “Idiot not to be a first-ballot HOFer!”
Former Patriots defensive tackle Of these Godchaux he was surprised Belichick’s impressive resume didn’t get him automatic acceptance right away. (Belichick led the Patriots to six Super Bowl victories.)
“Guess winning doesn’t mean much these days huh😂😂😂 this might be the dumbest shit you’ll ever see!” Godchaux wrote via X on tuesday “There must be more behind this🧐🤔 but that will never make sense! These voters should never have a vote again!!!”
Matt Casselwho was the backup quarterback for the Patriots Tom Brady from 2005 to 2008, called Belichick’s exclusion “insane.”
“This is insane and absolutely ridiculous. He’s the best to ever do it! First vote goes to the best in our game, players and coaches alike,” Cassel tweeted. “Bill is clearly deserving of this honor.”
Bill Belichick and New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft forged a historic partnership in the NFL before their relationship turned into a public mudslide. Belichick coached the Patriots to six Super Bowl championships between 2002 and 2019. The coach announced in January 2024 that he had made a mutual decision with Kraft to leave the team, despite (…)
Belichick was the head coach of the Patriots for more than two decades. He became the head coach of the team in 2000 and also had almost complete control over the football operations of the team. The coach helped orchestrate the Patriots’ winning dynasty as the team made nine Super Bowl appearances under his reign.
In 2023, Belichick parted ways with the Patriots after 24 seasons. Two years later, Belichick became the head football coach at the University of North Carolina.
Not only did Belichick lead the Patriots to multiple Super Bowl victories, the coach also has 333 regular season and postseason wins, which ranks him second behind the late Miami Dolphins coach. Don Shula. (Shula was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1997.)