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The 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 for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.
ESPN first reported that Belichick would not be inducted into the Hall of Fame this time. The outlet, citing sources, reported that Belichick was “baffled” and “disappointed” with the decision and wondered what more he had to do as a head coach to get on the first ballot.
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Head coach Bill Belichick and Rob Gronkowski of the New England Patriots watch during a game against the Seattle Seahawks at Gillette Stadium on November 13, 2016 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
Belichick’s former star tight end Rob Gronkowski is in the same boat.
“It’s very stupid that he wasn’t a first-ballot Hall of Famer. It’s just absolutely absurd,” Gronk told Pak Gazette Digital in a recent interview. “Guy has eight rings, second most wins of all time, most playoff wins.
“This guy not only has a great resume, but he’s also touched a lot of lives in football in a very positive way. From players to coaches, he gave a lot of people opportunities and fair opportunities to be successful in life. And that’s what he’s sure done. And it’s just incredible that he didn’t get selected. Obviously he’s going to be a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, but it was just absurd that he 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 outright support for Belichick, leading some to convince other voters that Belichick should be punished by waiting a year to join. The 2007 spy scandal cost the team a first-round pick and $250,000, while Belichick was fined $500,000. Deflategate resulted in a four-game suspension for Tom Brady and $1 million in fines and eventually landed in the United States courts.
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski high-fives 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 CHECKED BILL BELICHICK’S NAME AMID A snub
Brady, of course, was involved in both scandals, but Gronkowski said he doesn’t imagine a scenario in which a bust would be stolen in a few years. However, he didn’t exactly rule it out.
“Absolutely not. I just can’t see that. 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 a guy who has a vote. The people who vote, the only thing I can think of is that they have some ill will toward Coach Belichick. That’s the only reason I can think of. “There are a lot of rumors out there, but you just have to look at the guy’s resume and what he’s done for the game.”
The final 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 players 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, was 302-165 in his career as a head coach with the Patriots and Cleveland Browns. He and the Patriots mutually parted ways after the 2023 campaign after 24 seasons.
He had a controversial end with both the Browns and the New York Jets. The Browns moved to Baltimore and became the Ravens under the cover of darkness, leaving the entire franchise in the city. As he was set to take over as the Jets’ head coach, he resigned as “NYJ HC” in his inaugural press conference and decided to accept the New England job.
