NFL

“Too senile to vote”: a former Eagles player slams Bill Polian after Bill Belichick’s Hall of Fame snub

The former Patriots head coach, a six-time Super Bowl winner, did not receive the required 40 out of 50 votes for induction.

The former Patriots head coach, a six-time Super Bowl winner, did not receive the required 40 out of 50 votes for induction.
ALEX HALLOWAY
Update:

Bill Belichick wasn’t selected for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility, a decision that has sparked major controversy across the sports world.

Scandals influenced voting

Belichick did not receive the required 40 out of 50 votes from the selection committee that would have assured his induction. It is believed that voters were swayed by the impact of the Patriots’ “Spygate” and “Deflategate” scandals during the 73-year-old’s tenure - so he misses out, at least this year - surprising for a coach with six Super Bowl rings on his résumé.

The controversy has thickened after it emerged that Hall of Fame executive Bill Polian allegedly led a group of voters pushing the idea that Belichick should “wait a year” before being inducted.

Polian backtracks

Hours after Tuesday’s news broke, Polian categorically denied influencing other voters and insisted he had even voted for Belichick. The situation took another turn when Polian was confronted by ESPN’s Don Van Natta Jr, which clouded a murky situation even further. Polian insisted he couldn’t actually remember who he voted for, but confirmed that Patriots owner Robert Kraft did get his vote.

Belichick’s omission has stunned players, coaches and fans. Patrick Mahomes called the decision “crazy” while LeBron James blasted it as “impossible, atrocious and, frankly, disrespectful.”

The latest to join the discussion was NFL analyst, and former Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Emmanuel Acho, who didn’t hold back about Polian’s memory lapse.

He wrote on X: "Bill Polian said he doesn’t remember if he voted for Bill Belichick or not. Respectfully, if you can’t remember who you voted for— you’re too senile to be voting.

Acho’s comments have reopened the debate about whether the 50-member Pro Football Hallof Fame Selection Committee needs a total overhaul.

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