I'm a Pro Football Hall of Fame voter. We blew it with Bill Belichick snub

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I'm a Pro Football Hall of Fame voter. We blew it with Bill Belichick snub | Opinion

Jarrett Bell, USA TODAY · USA TODAY Sports

Wed, Jan 28, 2026 ·

7 min read

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What an embarrassment.

Like so many others, I'm stunned that Bill Belichick was not selected on the first ballot for the Pro Football Hall of Fame . If winning six Super Bowls as New England Patriots coach – more than any coach in history – doesn't ensure induction, then nothing will.

I'm embarrassed, too, because the selection committee that I've been honored and privileged to be a part of for 29 years, really missed the mark.

Yes, for the record, I voted for Belichick as the lone finalist for the coaching category. I supported Mike Holmgren in that category last year and think that still-overlooked Mike Shananan and Tom Coughlin deserve the glory of busts in Canton, too.

And please don't tell me that Belichick having Tom Brady – who vouches for the impact the coach had on his development as the most prolific winner during the Super Bowl era – diminishes his case.

Yet somehow, at least 11 voters from our 50-member panel did not vote for Belichick, leaving him short of the 80% needed (at least 40 votes) for selection.

So, what happened?

Belichick went from no-brainer selection to first-ballot pariah

Of course, during our marathon, eight-hour selection meeting on Zoom recently we thoroughly discussed Belichick's record and the controversies of Spygate and Deflategate. Of all the candidates, which included 15 modern-day player finalists, a contributor ( Patriots owner Robert Kraft ) and three seniors nominees (Ken Anderson, Roger Craig and L.C. Greenwood), the discussion of Belichick was one of the longest.

Hey, I was in the room when Joe Montana was up for the Class of 2000 – at that time, the meetings were held in person, the day before the Super Bowl – and the scribe presenting Super Joe, Ira Miller of the San Francisco Chronicle, stood up and used one sentence to make his case, something to the effect of: "I present Joe Montana."

Then Ira sat down.

In other words, it was a no-brainer.

Sure, Belichick's case is a lot more complex than Montana's was, given the discipline that's on his record for secretly filming the hand signals used on the New York Jets sideline in 2007 – he was fined $500,000, largest ever for an NFL coach, and the Patriots were docked $250,000 in addition to the loss of a first-round draft pick – yet even with that blemish it seemed that Belichick was a no-brainer, too, as a first-ballot pick for the Hall.

Or so I thought.

Oct. 25, 2025: Bill Belichick looks over the North Carolina Tar Heels football team before a game against Virginia at Kenan Stadium. The Tar Heels finished 4-8 in Belichick's first season as head coach.
(Bob Donnan, Imagn Images)

Feb. 6, 2025: Bill Belichick and girlfriend Jordon Hudson on the red carpet before Super Bowl LIX NFL Honors at Saenger Theatre in New Orleans.
(Kirby Lee, Imagn Images)

Dec. 12, 2024: Bill Belichick is introduced as the new head football coach at the University of North Carolina, and holds up the sweatshirt worn by his father when he was an assistant coach for the Tar Heels.
(Jim Dedmon, Imagn Images)

June 12, 2024: Former Patriots Coach Bill Belichick (L) embraces former New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady on stage during the 2024 Patriots Hall of Fame induction ceremony at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Tom Brady is the 35th person to be inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame.
(Joseph Prezioso, AFP via Getty Images)

May 5, 2024: (L-R) Tom Brady and Bill Belichick speak onstage during G.R.O.A.T The Greatest Roast Of All Time: Tom Brady for the Netflix is a Joke Festival at The Kia Forum in Inglewood, California.
(Matt Winkelmeyer, Getty Images for Netflix)

Jan. 12, 2024: A pop-up tribute to longtime Patriots coach Bill Belichick along Barnstable Rd in Hyannis, Massachusetts after it was announced Jerod Mayo will be the team's new head coach.
(Steve Heaslip, Cape Cod Times via USA TODAY Network)

Jan. 11, 2024: Head coach Bill Belichick (L) of the New England Patriots shakes hands with owner Robert Kraft (R) during a press conference at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Belichick announced he is stepping down as head coach after 24 seasons and six Super Bowl victories with the team.
(Maddie Meyer, Getty Images)

Jan. 7, 2024: Bill Belichick watches from the sideline as the New England Patriots lose, 17-3, to the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium in the 2023 regular-season finale. The Patriots finished 4-13, the worst record of Belichick's head coaching career. Four days later, Belichick and the Patriots parted ways, ending a 24-season run together.
(David Butler II, USA TODAY Sports)

Nov. 26, 2023: New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick looks on during his team's game against the New Your Giants at MetLife Stadium.
(Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY Sports)

Aug. 3, 2019: Ty Law poses with his Hall of Fame bust with New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick during the Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium.
(Kirby Lee, USA TODAY Sports)

May 4, 2019: Danny Amendola, Linda Holliday, Bill Belichick and Tom Brady attend the 145th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs.
(Robin Marchant, Getty Images for Churchill Downs)

Feb. 3, 2019: New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick and his girlfriend Linda Holliday celebrate after the Patriots' win over the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl LIII at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. It was Belichick's sixth Super Bowl win as Patriots head coach.
(Matthew Emmons, USA TODAY Sports)

Jan. 20, 2019: Tom Brady is interviewed by CBS Sports' Jim Nantz after defeating the Kansas City Chiefs in overtime in the AFC championship game, 37-31, as head coach Bill Belichick and team owner Robert Kraft look on.
(Jamie Squire, Getty Images)

Feb. 4, 2018: New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick walks the sidelines in front of quarterback Tom Brady during the team's loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LII at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.
(Matthew Emmons, USA TODAY Sports)

Jan. 13, 2018: New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick reacts in the cold during the AFC divisional playoff game against the Tennessee Titans at Gillette Stadium. The Patriots won the game, 35-14.
(David Butler II, USA TODAY Sports)

Apr. 19, 2017: New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, President Donald Trump, Patriots owner Robert Kraft, and Patriots president Jonathan Kraft stand with Patriots players as President Trump holds a helmet at a ceremony honoring the Super Bowl LI champion Patriots on the South Lawn at the White House.
(Geoff Burke, USA TODAY Sports)

Feb. 5, 2017: New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick reacts after defeating the Atlanta Falcons during Super Bowl LI at NRG Stadium. The Patriots won, 34-28, in overtime, overcoming a 28-3 deficit as Belichick won his fifth Super Bowl as Patriots head coach.
(Daniel Powers, USA TODAY Sports)

Jan. 24, 2016: New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick meets Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) on the field after the AFC championship game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos defeated the Patriots, 20-18, to earn a trip to Super Bowl 50. Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
(Chris Humphreys, USA TODAY Sports)

April 23, 2015: President Barack Obama poses between New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick and team owner Robert Kraft, along with team members, during a ceremony honoring the 2014 Super Bowl champion on the South Lawn at the White House.
(Geoff Burke, USA TODAY Sports)

April 13, 2015: New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, Jonathan Kraft, head coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady walk to the mound during ceremonies for the Boston Red Sox's home opener against the Washington Nationals at Fenway Park.
(David Butler II, USA TODAY Sports)

Feb. 1, 2015: New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick is dunked with Gatorade after defeating the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XLIX at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
(Mark J. Rebilas, USA TODAY Sports)

Dec. 14, 2014: New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady celebrates with head coach Bill Belichick after clinching the AFC East title with a 41-13 win over the Miami Dolphins at Gillette Stadium.
(Winslow Townson, USA TODAY Sports)

Dec. 12, 2010: New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick looks on during the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. The Patriots defeated the Bears, 36-7.
(Rob Grabowski, US PRESSWIRE)

Feb. 3, 2008: New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick looks on during Super Bowl XLII against the New York Giants at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. The Giants defeated the Patriots, 17-14. New England had entered the game with a perfect 18-0 record.
(Mark J. Rebilas, US PRESSWIRE)

July 13, 2005: Bill Belichick (left) accepts the award for best Coach/Manager from presenters Garrett Hedlund and Mark Wahlberg onstage at the 13th Annual ESPY Awards at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, California.
(Kevin Winter, Getty Images)

Feb. 1, 2004: New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick celebrates with the Vince Lombardi Trophy after defeating the Carolina Panthers, 32-29, in Super Bowl XXXVIII at Reliant Stadium in Houston.
(US PRESSWIRE)

Jan. 18, 2004: New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick celebrates with linebacker Willie McGinest after defeating the Indianapolis Colts, 24-14, in the AFC championship game at Gillette Stadium.
(Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY)

Feb. 3, 2002: FOX Sports announcer Terry Bradshaw talks with New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick and owner Robert Kraft after winning Super Bowl XXXVI, 20-17, against the St. Louis Rams at the Louisiana Superdome.
(US PRESSWIRE)

Jan. 30, 2002: New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick directs his team practice in New Orleans, four days before playing the St. Louis Rams in Super Bowl XXXVI.
(ROBERTO SCHMIDT, AFP via Getty Images)

Dec. 19, 1998: New York Jets defensive coordinator Bill Belichick hugs defensive end Anthony Pleasant at the conclusion of the Jets' 17-10 win over the Buffalo Bills that clinched the AFC East division title.
(WAYNE SCARBERRY, AFP via Getty Images)

Feb. 4, 1997: Bill Belichick and Steve Gutman, president of the New York Jets, pose for photographers at the Jets' training facility after Belichick was named the team's new head coach. Belichick's tenure as head coach lasted just six days, as Bill Parcells was elevated to head coach and Belichick would be assistant head coach/defensive coordinator.
(MALCOLM CLARKE, AFP via Getty Images)

Jan. 1, 1995: New England Patriots head coach Bill Parcells talks with Cleveland Browns head coach Bill Belichick prior to the 1994 AFC wild-card playoff game at Cleveland Stadium. The Browns won the game, 20-13.
(US PRESSWIRE)

Dec. 6, 1992: Cleveland Browns head coach Bill Belichick walks the sidelines during his team's game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Stadium. The Browns won the game, 37-21.
(US PRESSWIRE)

Sept. 8, 1991: Cleveland Browns head coach Bill Belichick prior to the game against the New England Patriots at Foxboro Stadium. The Browns defeated the Patriots, 20-0.
(US PRESSWIRE)

In the ESPN report on Jan. 27 that revealed the Belichick snub – nine days before the Hall officially reveals it Class of 2026 during the "NFL Honors" show – Hall of Fame general manager Bill Polian was characterized as an influential force who wanted Belichick to wait a year as penance for Spygate.

That certainly wasn't expressed by Polian during our Zoom call. And Polian vehemently denied the allegation, from an anonymous voter, according to ESPN.com, that he led a charge to keep Belichick out in sidebar conversations with voters.

"That's unequivocally false," Polian told USA TODAY Sports.

Sure, you can suspect that Polian had motivation. During his years as the Indianapolis Colts GM from 1998 to 2011, the rivalry with the Patriots was intense. Many point to Polian, then a member of the NFL's competition committee, for the crackdown on enforcing illegal contact penalties, given how star Patriots cornerback Ty Law bullied Colts receiver Marvin Harrison . And Deflategate, remember, was ignited by the under-inflated footballs that Brady used in the 2015 AFC championship game against the Colts. Hmmm.

Now consider this: Even if Polian – a big supporter of Kraft – didn't support Belichick's case, it still took at least 10 other voters from the panel to deny entry. Given the relatively new rules that pit the finalist from the coaching category against the contributor finalist and three seniors category finalists, this is deeper than merely casting Polian as the archvillain.

"I was shocked that he didn't get in," Polian told me. "He deserves to be in the Hall, without question. He's imminently qualified. I'm sorry he didn't get in. I look forward to voting for him next year."

Regardless, some serious damage has been done here. Keeping Belichick out – at least for now – takes some shine off those who will be ultimately presented as the Hall's newest class. Even worse, as the most significant snub in my years in this mix, it has left a stain on the Hall of Fame that unnecessarily fuels questions about its legitimacy.

I mean, Bill Cowher, Tony Dungy and Don Coryell are in the Hall of Fame and Belichick is not? That's not a knock on the other coaches, elected under a different set of voting rules. But Belichick's 333 victories, second only to Don Shula's 347, counts for a whole lot.

Hall of Fame coach Jimmy Johnson: 'It tarnishes everybody'

"It tarnishes everybody associated with the Hall of Fame," Jimmy Johnson, who won two Super Bowls with the Dallas Cowboys and was inducted into the Hall in 2021, told USA TODAY Sports. "They can't kick me out. But he deserves to be in before me."

Johnson was so hot about it when we talked Jan. 28. Granted, they are tight. Belichick has made several treks to the Florida Keys to hang and fish with Johnson, typically wanting to talk shop while Johnson wants him to unplug.

When they saw each other recently at the college national championship game, Johnson told Belichick that he would see him in Canton at the induction ceremony in August – and he made arrangements for a chartered plane to get there.

"Well, I canceled that plane," Johnson said.

Johnson maintains that Belichick's achievements are more impressive than other coaching legends because they came in an era of the salary cap and free agency. And that's not counting the two Super Bowl rings he won as defensive coordinator with the New York Giants .

"No one knows the history and loves the NFL more than Bill Belichick," Johnson added. "That's why I'm so upset."

You're ticked off about Belichick? So are those of us who voted for him

Johnson has so much company in the ticked-off department. Shoot, I'm a bit ticked – a bit – that so many want to lump the entire selection committee as one monolithic body.

No, that's not how it works. The voters – largely made up of journalists – have the free will to make their independent selections. While the Hall's bylaws stipulate that we are to only consider what occurs on the field, there's some gray area with interpretation.

It's possible, too, that some voters didn't support Belichick as a matter of conscience, given the cheating scandal represented with Spygate.

I'm also thinking that the voting requirement for the special categories – we are required to vote for three of the five candidates from the coach, contributor and seniors categories – threw a wrench into the equation for Belichick. There are voters who are passionate about seniors nominees, thinking they get short shrift after not becoming Hall of Famers after 20 years of eligibility as modern-day candidates.

Sure, some seniors candidates may have slipped through the cracks. But to stack the deck with three seniors candidates each year is a recipe that makes it much tougher on deserving coaches and contributors.

Count me in the crowd that favors transparency with the voting. If there's a reason to vote for one candidate over another, let the explanations flow.

In the meantime, there's no shortage of feedback from the internet mob. Intense. Vile. Below the belt. Passionate. All of that.

Yet it's also ironic that despite his reputation for being anything but Mr. Congeniality, Belichick has proven to be quite a unifier on social media. There's overwhelming noise contending that we got it so wrong.

To that point, I can hardly disagree.

Contact Jarrett Bell at jbell@usatoday.com or follow on X: @JarrettBell

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Bill Belichick's NFL hall of fame vote tarnishes Hall's legacy

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I'm a Pro Football Hall of Fame voter. We blew it with Bill Belichick snub | Opinion

Belichick went from no-brainer selection to first-ballot pariah

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See Bill Belichick's football life in photos

See Bill Belichick's football life in photos

See Bill Belichick's football life in photos

See Bill Belichick's football life in photos

See Bill Belichick's football life in photos

See Bill Belichick's football life in photos

See Bill Belichick's football life in photos

See Bill Belichick's football life in photos

See Bill Belichick's football life in photos

See Bill Belichick's football life in photos

See Bill Belichick's football life in photos

See Bill Belichick's football life in photos

See Bill Belichick's football life in photos

See Bill Belichick's football life in photos

See Bill Belichick's football life in photos

See Bill Belichick's football life in photos

See Bill Belichick's football life in photos

See Bill Belichick's football life in photos

See Bill Belichick's football life in photos

See Bill Belichick's football life in photos

See Bill Belichick's football life in photos

See Bill Belichick's football life in photos

Hall of Fame coach Jimmy Johnson: 'It tarnishes everybody'

You're ticked off about Belichick? So are those of us who voted for him