NEWNow you can listen to Pak Gazette articles!
Reports that former New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick would not be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, in August sparked strong reactions across the sports world.
Belichick, who won two Super Bowl rings as an assistant before coaching the Patriots to six titles, did not meet the 50-vote threshold for the Hall of Fame. He was long assumed to be a first-ballot Hall of Famer, but Belichick’s omission raised questions about how the votes fell.
Bill Polian, former general manager of the Indianapolis Colts and Hall of Famer, found himself at the center of much of the debate.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON PakGazette.Com
Bill Polian issued a statement confirming his Hall of Fame vote for Bill Belichick, denying a report that told fellow voters the former NFL coach should wait. (Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
Polian initially said he voted for the North Carolina football coach, before saying he couldn’t say with 100% certainty whether he did. In his latest attempt to set the record straight, Polian said he checked the box next to Belichick’s name.
“I voted for Coach Belichick at the Hall of Fame selection meeting,” Polian said on SiriusXM NFL Radio on Wednesday while reading a prepared statement.
“The Pro Football Hall of Fame has confirmed that fact through the auditors of the selection process. Again, I will say that I never said that I think Coach Belichick should quote, wait a year, unquote, to be enshrined. This has been confirmed by the Pro Football Hall of Fame, numerous selectors who were in the room and my vote for Coach Belichick.”
Polian said he has always tried to be objective in his voting.
FILE – New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick watches during the second quarter against the Indianapolis Colts at Gillette Stadium on Oct. 4, 2018. (Winslow Townson/USA TODAY Sports)
“As a Hall of Fame member and coach, I realize the importance of what we do. As a coach, I have always tried to make these difficult decisions with the utmost objectivity. I have said on SiriusXM Radio and in many other media outlets that I believe Coach Belichick is a first-ballot Hall of Famer, my vote confirms that.”
PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME WARNS VOTERS AMID BILL BELICHICK OUTRAGE
Polian referenced an ESPN report, citing sources who told the outlet that the Super Bowl-winning general manager was one of the voters who told others that Belichick should “wait a year” before induction. In addition to Wednesday’s statement, Polian also said illustrated sports that the accusations were “totally and categorically false.”
Bill Polian clarified that he voted in favor of Bill Belichick’s Hall of Fame induction, denying a report that told voters the former Patriots coach should endure a waiting period. (Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)
“I was surprised to find out that Bill didn’t get in. He deserves to be in the Hall of Fame,” Polian he told ESPN.
ESPN reported that Belichick was “bewildered” and “disappointed” when he learned he was not accepted this year and wondered what else he had to do as a head coach to get in right away.
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 2026 class.
