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President Donald Trump overturned the decision to keep Bill Belichick out of the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Wednesday’s first vote.
Belichick did not get the necessary 40 votes from the 50-person panel of media members and other Hall of Famers, ESPN reported, citing sources. The snub sparked outrage across the sports spectrum, including Patrick Mahomes, LeBron James, Jimmy Johnson and others.
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President Donald Trump arrives at a dedication ceremony for a portion of Southern Boulevard that the Palm Beach City Council recently voted to rename as President Donald J. Trump Boulevard at his Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach, Florida, on January 16, 2026. (Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP Photo)
Trump added his voice to the chorus in a post on Truth Social, while criticizing the NFL’s dynamic kickoff rules.
“It’s the same mentality that gave pro football the new, unmissable ‘Sissy’ starting rule, which made it possible for Bill Belichick to not be elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Both are ridiculous and should be repealed!” the president published.
Trump has routinely criticized the NFL for its new kickoff rules, which were established before the 2024 season and changed for 2025.
Belichick was to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom during Trump’s first term. However, the former New England Patriots head coach turned him down after the Jan. 6 riot at the Capitol.
Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots before the game between the New England Patriots and the Cincinnati Bengals at Gillette Stadium on December 24, 2022 in Foxborough, Massachusetts (Winslow Townson/Getty Images)
JULIAN EDELMAN REVEALS BILL BELICHICK’S MOST MEMORABLE RULE DURING THE PATRIOTS DYNASTY
Belichick, who is currently the head coach of the North Carolina Tar Heels, was 302-165 in his career as a head coach between the Patriots and the Cleveland Browns. He won six titles with Tom Brady as the Patriots’ head coach before mutually parting ways with the franchise after the 2023 season.
He served as a defensive assistant under Bill Parcells with the New York Giants from 1979 to 1991. The team won two Super Bowls during that time.
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, essentially leaving the entire franchise in the city. As he was set to take over as the Jets’ head coach, he withdrew at the last minute and decided to accept the New England job.
Bill Belichick answers questions during the postgame press conference between the New England Patriots and the Cincinnati Bengals on December 24, 2022 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Erica Denhoff/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Belichick’s Patriots career wasn’t exactly brilliant either. He was caught up in the Spygate and Deflategate scandals during his time. ESPN reported that the cheating scandals influenced some voters’ decision about Belichick’s candidacy.
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Belichick’s coaching tree seemed as strong as ever. The Patriots will return to the Super Bowl with Mike Vrabel at the helm. Vrabel won three titles with Belichick. Josh McDaniels, another member of Belichick’s staff, also serves as the team’s offensive coordinator.
