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The popular opinion in football circles is that Bill Belichick was rejected from Canton.
It was revealed earlier this week that the eight-time Super Bowl champion was not elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.
ESPN first reported that Belichick would not be entering the Hall of Fame this time around. The outlet, citing sources, reported that Belichick was “puzzled” and “disappointed” by the decision and wondered what more he had to do as a head coach to get on the first ballot.
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Head coach Bill Belichick and Rob Gronkowski of the New England Patriots look on during a game against the Seattle Seahawks at Gillette Stadium on November 13, 2016 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
Belichick’s former star tight end, Rob Gronkowski, is in the same boat.
“It’s pretty crazy that he wasn’t a first-ballot Hall of Famer. It’s just completely absurd,” Gronk told Pakinomist Digital in a recent interview. “Guy has eight rings, second most wins ever, most playoff wins.
“Not only does this guy have a great resume, but he’s touched so many lives in the game of football in a very positive way. From players to coaches, he gave so many people opportunities and fair opportunities to succeed in life. And that’s what he’s definitely done. And it’s just unbelievable that he wasn’t elected. He’s obviously supposed to be a pro hall, but it was pro football first and foremost. Ballot.”
It has been reported and speculated that Spygate and Deflategate were points of contention that led to a lack of full support for Belichick, leading some to convince other voters that Belichick should be punished by waiting a year to come in. The 2007 spying scandal cost the team a first-round pick and $250,000 was fined $0000, while Belichick was paid $0000. Deflategate resulted in a four-game suspension for Tom Brady and $1 million in fines, and ultimately reached US courts.
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski gets a high five from head coach Bill Belichick after his third quarter touchdown against the Miami Dolphins at Gillette Stadium on Sunday, Dec. 14, 2014. (MediaNews Group/Boston Herald via Getty Images)
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Brady was involved in both scandals, of course, but Gronkowski said he doesn’t envision a scenario where he’s robbed of a bust in a few years. However, he did not exactly rule it out.
“Absolutely not. I just don’t see it. I think it makes sense because Bill Belichick deserves to be in,” Gronkowski said candidly.
“I cannot tell you the true reason [Belichick stayed out]. I’m not a guy who has a voice. The people voting, the only thing I can think of is that they have ill will towards coach Belichick. That’s the only reason I can think of. There’s a lot of rumors out there, but you just look at the guy’s resume and what he’s done for the game.”
The final list of Pro Football Hall of Fame inductees will be released prior to Super Bowl LX. Belichick was among the nominees in a separate group from the modern players category, along with Ken Anderson, Roger Craig, LC Greenwood and Robert Kraft.
Six of Belichick’s titles came as head coach of the New England Patriots, and the other two came as the New York Giants’ defensive coordinator.
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick celebrates with the Vince Lombardi Trophy after defeating the Seattle Seahawks 28-24 to win Super Bowl XLIX at University of Phoenix Stadium on February 1, 2015 in Glendale, Arizona. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Belichick, currently the head coach of the North Carolina Tar Heels, was 302-165 in his career as a head coach with the Patriots and Cleveland Browns. He and the Patriots mutually parted ways following the 2023 campaign after 24 seasons.
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, leaving the entire franchise in the city. When he was set to take the Jets’ head coaching job, he resigned as “HC of the NYJ” at his opening press conference and decided to take the New England job instead.
