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Popular opinion in football circles is that Bill Belichick was snubbed from Canton.
It was revealed earlier this week that the eight-time Super Bowl champion was not selected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.
ESPN first reported that Belichick would not be entering the Hall of Fame this time around. The outlet, citing sources, reported that Belichick was “puzzled” and “disappointed” by the decision and wondered what more he needed to do as head coach to make the first round of voting.
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Head coach Bill Belichick and Rob Gronkowski of the New England Patriots attend a game against the Seattle Seahawks at Gillette Stadium on November 13, 2016 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
Former Belichick star tight end Rob Gronkowski is in the same boat.
“It’s very stupid that he wasn’t elected to the Hall of Fame on the first ballot. It’s just absolutely absurd,” Gronk told PK Press Club Digital in a recent interview. “Guy has eight rings, second most wins ever, most playoff wins.
“This guy not only has a great resume, but he touched a lot of lives in football in a very positive way. From players to coaches, he gave so many people opportunities and fair opportunities to succeed in life. And that’s what he did. And it’s just amazing that he wasn’t selected. He’s obviously going to be a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, but it was just absurd that it wasn’t the first ballot.”
It has been reported and speculated that Spygate and Deflategate were points of contention that led to a lack of full support for Belichick, leading some to convince other voters that Belichick should be punished by waiting a year to enter. The 2007 spying scandal cost the team a first-round draft pick and $250,000, while Belichick was fined $500,000. Deflategate resulted in a four-game suspension for Tom Brady and a $1 million fine and eventually reached the US courts.
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski receives a high five from head coach Bill Belichick after his third-quarter touchdown against the Miami Dolphins at Gillette Stadium on Sunday, Dec. 14, 2014. (MediaNews Group/Boston Herald via Getty Images)
Hall of Fame voter says he can’t remember if he name-checked Bill Belichick amid snub
Brady, of course, was involved in both scandals, but Gronkowski said he doesn’t envision a scenario where he has a bust stolen from him in a few years. However, he didn’t really rule out the possibility.
“Absolutely not. I just don’t see it. I guess it makes sense because Bill Belichick deserves to be there,” Gronkowski said candidly.
“I can’t tell you the real reason [Belichick stayed out]. I’m not one to vote. The people who are voting, the only thing I can think of is that they have ill will toward coach Belichick. That’s the only reason I can come up with. There are a lot of rumors, but just look at the guy’s resume and what he’s done for the game. »
The finalized list of Pro Football Hall of Fame inductees will be released before Super Bowl LX. Belichick was among the candidates in a separate group in the modern era player category, along with Ken Anderson, Roger Craig, LC Greenwood and Robert Kraft.
Six of Belichick’s titles came as head coach of the New England Patriots, and the other two as defensive coordinator of the New York Giants.
Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots celebrates with the Vince Lombardi Trophy after defeating the Seattle Seahawks 28-24 to win Super Bowl XLIX at University of Phoenix Stadium on February 1, 2015 in Glendale, Arizona. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Belichick, currently the head coach of the North Carolina Tar Heels, had a record of 302-165 during his head coaching career with the Patriots and Cleveland Browns. He and the Patriots parted ways after the 2023 campaign after 24 seasons.
He had a controversial ending with the Browns and New York Jets. The Browns moved to Baltimore and became the Ravens under the cover of obscurity, leaving the entire franchise in the city. When he was about to accept the job as head coach of the Jets, he resigned as “HC of the NYJ” during his opening press conference and decided to accept the head coaching job of New England instead.
