Something is wrong with the Pro Football Hall of Fame voting system if Bill Belichick, arguably the greatest coach in NFL history, is not a first ballot Hall of Famer.
According to ESPN’s Seth Wickersham, the eight time Super Bowl winning head coach, two as a defensive coordinator with the Giants and six as the head coach of the Patriots, fell short of the 40 of 50 votes needed for induction into Canton in his first year of eligibility.
Belichick received a call from a Hall representative last Friday afternoon with the news that he won’t be inducted into the Hall in Canton, Ohio, this summer.
Wickersham report that “several sources who spoke to” the coach described Belichick as “puzzled” and “disappointed” by his inability to secure support from at least 80% of Hall committee members.
“Six Super Bowls isn’t enough?” Belichick asked an associate, referring to the championships he won as head coach of the New England Patriots. He won two more as defensive coordinator of the New York Giants. To another associate, he said, “What does a guy have to do?”
Wickersham claims another source familiar with Belichick’s thinking said, “Politics kept him out. He doesn’t believe this is a reflection on his accomplishments.”
The inductees are scheduled to be announced next week during Super Bowl activities.
With an NFL coaching record of 333-178, including playoffs — second all-time to Don Shula’s 347 victories — Belichick was considered by most fans and Hall voters to be a first-ballot lock.
