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Bill Belichick’s Hall of Fame snub: Why has this happened, what has he achieved, the voting process and the furious reaction

Bill Belichick has been overlooked by the Hall of Fame committee

It seems having the most Super Bowl wins in NFL history is not enough to become a first-ballot Hall of Famer these days!

Bill Belichick’s snub has caused outrage in American football circles with most observers stunned that the 73-year-old was overlooked.

The official announcement is not due until February 5 but widespread reports in the States have revealed Belichick will not be inducted in his first year of eligibility.

Table of Contents

• 1 Why the outrage?
• 2 What has the reaction been like?
• 3 Is there any reason why Belichick would not have been included?
• 4 How is the Hall of Fame voting conducted?

Why the outrage?

Belichick’s list of achievements with the New England Patriots ought to make him a shoo-in.

• Most Super Bowl wins as a head coach (6)
• Most Super Bowl appearances as a head coach (9)
• Most divisional championships as a head coach (17)
• Most playoff wins as a head coach (31)
• Second in wins all-time as a head coach (333)

What has the reaction been like?

Understandably, there is bewilderment with most observers stunned by the Hall of Fame’s decision.

Patrick Mahomes, JJ Watt and even LeBron James had their say, among many others.

Insane… don’t even understand how this could be possible https://t.co/EiKUeRPffn

I can’t be reading this right.

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. https://t.co/OXhL1Sd4FM

Man there's no way I read that right! Right? Ain't no WAY Bill Belichick ain't 1st Ballot HOF!! That's IMPOSSIBLE, EGREGIOUS, and quite frankly DISRESPECTFUL!

Is there any reason why Belichick would not have been included?

Belichick has not been immune from controversy during his career and ESPN reported that could have swayed the voting. But what are those controversies?

2007 – Belichick’s New England Patriots were found guilty of filming opposing coaches’ signals during games. Belichick was fined $500,000 and the Patriots $250,000.

2015 – Patriots quarterback Tom Brady was found guilty of requesting the deflation of the footballs used in the 2014 AFC Championship game against the Indianapolis Colts. The Patriots were fined $1m and Brady handed a four-game suspension.

How is the Hall of Fame voting conducted?

It is carried out by the selection committee of the Hall of Fame, based in Canton, Ohio.

The committee is a 50-person panel of media members selected by the Hall’s board of directors and appointed to two-year terms.

Every NFL team’s media section gets a vote, as does the Pro Football Writers of America, The remaining 17 votes are cast by other media members and former NFL players and coaches.

To be enshrined, candidates must receive 80% votes of approval – so, in this case, 40 of 50 votes.

At least four candidates are elected each year.

Topics:

• Bill Belichick

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Jon has over 20 years' experience in sports journalism having worked at the Press Association, Goal and Stats Perform, covering three World Cups, an Olympics and numerous other major sporting events.

Jon has over 20 years' experience in sports journalism having worked at the Press Association, Goal and Stats Perform, covering three World Cups, an Olympics and numerous other major sporting events.

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