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President Donald Trump overturned the decision to keep Bill Belichick out of the Pro Football Hall of Fame on the first ballot on Wednesday.
Belichick did not get the 40 votes needed from the 50-person panel of media members and other Hall of Famers, ESPN reported, citing sources. The outrage drew outrage from 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, which the Town of Palm Beach Council recently voted to rename 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 also criticizing the NFL’s dynamic kickoff rules.
“This is the same thinking that gave pro football the new and confusing ‘Sissy’ Kickoff Rule that allowed Bill Belichick to not be elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Both are ridiculous and should be overturned!” the president posted.
Trump has routinely criticized the NFL for its new kickoff rules, which were established ahead of the 2024 season and adjusted for 2025.
Belichick was set to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom during Trump’s first term. However, the former New England Patriots head coach denied it after the January 6 Capitol riots.
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)
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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 Cleveland Browns. He won six titles with Tom Brady as head coach of the Patriots 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 1979-1991. The team won two Super Bowls in that time.
He had a controversial ending with both the Browns and the New York Jets. The Browns moved to Baltimore and became the Ravens under cover of darkness, essentially leaving the entire franchise in town. Set to take the Jets’ head coaching job, he pulled out at the last minute and decided to take the New England gig instead.
Bill Belichick answers questions during the news conference after a game 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 sunshine and rainbows either. He was caught up in the Spygate and Deflategate scandals during his time. ESPN reported that the cheating scandals played a role in some voters’ decision about Belichick’s candidacy.
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Belichick’s coaching staff appeared to be as strong as ever. The Patriots return to the Super Bowl with Mike Vrabel at the helm. Vrabel won three titles under Belichick. Josh McDaniels, another Belichick staffer, also serves as the team’s offensive coordinator.
