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The report that the former New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick would not be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, on the first ballot it sparked strong reactions throughout the sports world.
According to ESPN, Belichick, who won two Super Bowl rings as an assistant with the New York Giants before coaching the Patriots to six titles, received 40 of the 50 votes required for induction. He was long assumed to be a first-ballot Hall of Famer, but Belichick’s omission raised questions about how the votes fell.
San Francisco 49ers Hall of Famer Brent Jones was among those who weighed in on Belichick’s snub.
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FILE – Then-New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick during the second half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints, Sunday, Oct. 8, 2023, in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer, File)
“It was pretty harsh. I didn’t see it coming. I understand it certainly might have upset some members of the media over the years. I think punishing him for one year, unfortunately, I think puts a little bit of a stain on the Hall of Fame,” Jones told Pak Gazette Digital.
The former 49ers tight end played a key role in San Francisco’s back-to-back Super Bowl title runs before adding a third in 1994. Jones cited Belichick’s success on the game’s biggest stage and said he believes the former NFL coach will eventually be enshrined in Canton, Ohio.
“A guy who has eight Super Bowl rings… doesn’t even ring true. I have three and I think that’s outrageous, and I can’t even imagine eight. Obviously he’s going to get in, but somehow it made everyone in the Hall of Fame probably not look as good as they’d like going into the Super Bowl and all the publicity that comes with it, and especially the announcement of the new Hall of Famers.”
San Francisco 49ers tight end (84) Brent Jones spikes the ball after a touchdown during the 1989 NFC Championship Game against the Los Angeles Rams at Candlestick Park on January 14, 1990, in San Francisco, California. (USA TODAY Sports)
Jones has been chosen to be the master of ceremonies for the 38th annual event. 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey will receive the Bart Starr Athletes in Action Award at the breakfast. Each year’s recipient is recognized for exemplifying “outstanding character and leadership in the home, field and community.”
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This year’s Super Bowl will take place at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, the home of the 49ers since 2014. The Seattle Seahawks defeated the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Championship to claim their spot in next week’s game, while the New England Patriots survived the Denver Broncos in a snowy AFC title game.
The Seahawks opened as favorites in the Super Bowl XLIX rematch. Jones believes the Seahawks could end up winning the franchise’s second Super Bowl title.
“Seattle… has the best defense in the league. I think Sam Darnold has been a great story. I’ve seen him week in and week out in the NFC West and my perspective is that the Seahawks will be this year’s champions. But the Patriots might have something to say about that.”
San Francisco 49ers tight end Brent Jones (84) looks from scrimmage alongside tackle Kirk Scrafford #76 during a game against the Indianapolis Colts at the RCA Dome on October 15, 1995, in Indianapolis, Indiana. (George Gojkovich/Getty Images)
In addition to his eight championship rings, Belichick’s coaching resume includes 333 total victories, including postseason victories. That number trails Hall of Fame trainer Don Shula’s 347 wins on the all-time list.
ESPN reported that Belichick was “bewildered” and “disappointed” when he learned he was not chosen this year. The current North Carolina football coach also questioned what else he needed to accomplish to secure the necessary support for his candidacy on the first ballot. “Six Super Bowls not enough?” he asked an associate, sources told ESPN.
This year, and for the first time, former Patriots owner Robert Kraft was also a finalist for the Hall of Fame. It is unclear if Kraft or any other finalists were chosen for the class of 2026.
Chuck Knox, Tom Coughlin, Mike Holmgren, Dan Reeves, Marty Schottenheimer, George Seifert, Buddy Parker and Mike Shanahan were the other semifinalists in the 2026 coaching category.
