Dorothy

All sources agree that Bill Belichick was not selected for the 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame class in his first year of eligibility, sparking widespread criticism from prominent figures in the NFL, including Tom Brady and New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft. Both Brady and Kraft publicly expressed confusion and disappointment over the decision, with Brady calling it “completely ridiculous” (ESPN) and both describing the omission as unjustified given Belichick’s historic coaching record. ESPN’s Dan Wetzel went further, framing the snub as an embarrassment to the Hall of Fame itself, suggesting the voting committee’s judgment reflects poorly on the institution. While CBS Sports and ESPN both reported the backlash from Brady and Kraft, they differed in tone and emphasis. CBS Sports focused on the personal defense of Belichick by his former players and team leadership, presenting the criticism as a reaction to perceived unfairness. ESPN’s reporting, particularly Wetzel’s column, framed the snub as a systemic failure of the Hall’s selection process, implying institutional misjudgment. Other outlets noted that Belichick’s controversial tenure—particularly his involvement in the “Deflategate” scandal and polarizing public persona—may have influenced voters, though none of the provided articles explicitly cite this as a reason for his exclusion.