Roger Goodell on Bill Belichick’s Hall of Fame snub: “A lot of people are deserving”
Despite six Super Bowl wins with the Patriots, Belichick fell short in his first year of Hall of Fame eligibility.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell addressed Bill Belichick’s shock omission from the Pro Football Hall of Fame at his annual state of the NFL press conference on Monday, just days before Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara.
The Belichick dynasty with the New England Patriots is ranked among the greatest in all of U.S. sports. From 2000 to 2019, the Patriots won an astonishing six Super Bowls with Belichick as coach and Tom Brady at quarterback. No franchise has won more in its entire history, and the Patriots could claim the outright record over the Pittsburgh Steelers with a victory over the Seattle Seahawks on February 8.
Despite that success, Belichick fell short of the 40 votes needed for induction into the Hall of Fame during his first year of eligibility, to the bewilderment of almost everyone, including Brady and Belichick himself.
Why isn’t Bill Belichick in the Hall of Fame?
Some explanations have been offered for Belichick’s surprise omission. Critics suggest that his alleged involvement in the sign-stealing Spygate scandal in 2007 or Deflategate in 2015 may have cost him votes.
What Goodell said about the Hall of Fame snub
Goodell, who fined Belichick and the Patriots for the Spygate controversy, stressed that the NFL ultimately has no say over who the Pro Football Hall of Fame, a separate entity, inducts.
The commissioner appeared keen to sit on the fence but did share his view that Belichick deserves a place in the Hall of Fame.
Regardless of your opinion of Bill Belichick, him not being a first ballot Hall of Famer is a disgrace — and a direct indictment on the Hall of Fame itself.
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) January 27, 2026
Just an absolute joke. pic.twitter.com/TBuyVnbZAg
“That’s a Hall of Fame career, but there’s a decision-making process here, and it’s a timing issue,” Goodell said. “There are a lot of people who are deserving of this, so I think that’s something that the media will have to make that determination on as they go. But there’s a lot of people who want to be in that Hall of Fame, and Bill Belichick deserves to be in that Hall of Fame too.”
Looking ahead to 2027
Despite being overlooked in 2026, Belichick will almost certainly be successful next time around in 2027. If not, the fallout will be even greater - if that were possible.
Related stories
Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all.
Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.
Complete your personal details to comment