Bill Belichick's first reaction to shock Hall of Fame snub as fans tout Super Bowl wins

Bill Belichick was snubbed in his first Pro Football Hall of Fame ballot, getting just 10 of 50 votes It reportedly left the six-time Super Bowl winner shocked.

Updated on: Jan 28, 2026, 05:10:23 IST

By Shamik Banerjee

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Six-time Super Bowl-winning coach Bill Belichick failed to make it to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2025, in what was his first year of eligibility. ESPN reported that Belichick received only 10 of the 50 votes required for the induction.

Bill Belichick, former North Carolina Tar Heels coach. (Getty Images via AFP)

The news of Belichick's shocking snub came as a shock to his fans, who expected the legendary New England Patriots coach, who most recently coached the North Carolina Tar Heels in the NCAA, to make to the iconic list right away.

Along with his fans, 73-year-old has reportedly expressed shock over the ballot result. Notably, this is the former Tar Heels coach's first reaction since the results came Tuesday.

The New York Post reported, citing a Worldwide Leader report, that sources close to Belichick have said that he is “puzzled” and “disappointed” with the ballot result.

NFL Big Names Express Shock

NFL Insider Jordan Schultz was the first to express strong disapproval over the NFL failing to induct Bill Belichick into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. His record alone should have been enough for a nod, "Regardless of your opinion" of him.

Also read: Why is Bill Belichick's girlfriend Jordon Hudson suing podcaster Pablo Torre?

"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," he said.

“Bill Belichick not being a first ballot Hall of Famer means that no coach should ever be,” remarked one. “It means that the voters have decided there isn’t a coaching resume that warrants First Ballot consideration!”

Former NFL quarterback JJ Watt also expressed strong disapproval over the outcome of the ballot.

"I can’t be reading this right," Watt wrote. "This has to be some knock-off Hall of Fame or something, it can’t be the actual NFL Hall of Fame."

“There is not a single world whatsoever in which Bill Belichick should not be a First-Ballot Hall of Famer.”

Ari Meirov, another popular NFL journalist, reacted to the news, saying: “This is a terrible look for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. No other way to say it.”

Bill Belichick holds the NFL record for most coaching wins with 333 regular-season victories and 31 playoff wins, totaling 364.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Shamik Banerjee
Shamik is a journalist covering the United States for Hindustan Times. He has more than four years of experience reporting on US politics, sports, and major breaking stories across fast-moving cycles. He previously worked at Times Now and Sportskeeda, building strong newsroom instincts and digital storytelling skills. At HT.com, he focuses on day-to-day coverage of US political developments while also handling high-impact stories that demand speed, accuracy, clarity, and context under pressure. Shamik has extensive experience covering NFL game days over the past two years, coordinating live updates, analysis, and explainers. He is particularly drawn to large news moments such as US elections and the Super Bowl, where he thrives at the news desk working alongside the team. He holds degrees in Media Studies from Jamia Millia Islamia and English Literature from Jadavpur University. Before entering journalism, he briefly worked in digital marketing and political consultancy roles. Currently a Senior Content Producer at HT Digital, he is driven by curiosity, discipline, and a constant desire to explore new and obscure topics. Outside work, he enjoys reading, films, sports, and learning continuously.Read More

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