Bill Belichick Hall of Fame snub sparks cheating claims and furious backlash

Bill Belichick’s failure to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on his first ballot has triggered a storm of criticism across the NFL, with accusations of punishment for past cheating colliding with outrage from players, owners and Hall voters.

The former New England Patriots coach fell short of the 40 votes required for first-ballot induction, a decision that stunned many given his record as the most successful head coach of the modern era.

Why some believe Belichick was punished

FOX Sports analyst Chris Broussard has claimed there is only one explanation for Belichick’s snub, arguing that voters are still holding the 2007 Spygate scandal against him.

Broussard said Belichick belongs in the rare category of figures whose induction should be automatic, comparing him to Tom Brady. He argued that voters who opposed Belichick for reasons unrelated to misconduct should not be part of the process.

According to Broussard, the snub amounts to a delayed punishment for cheating nearly two decades ago, even if Belichick ultimately gains entry after what he described as a symbolic waiting period.

The case against punishing misconduct

Others strongly disagree that off-field controversies should influence Hall of Fame voting.

Danny Parkins pushed back on the argument, saying the Pro Football Hall of Fame is meant to judge career merit rather than morality. He noted that unlike baseball, football’s Hall does not have a written character clause.

Parkins also pointed to Belichick’s achievements after Spygate, noting that from 2008 onwards he would still rank near the top all-time in Super Bowl wins, conference titles and playoff victories.

Tom Brady leads the backlash

Tom Brady was among the most vocal critics of the decision, calling Belichick’s snub completely ridiculous and questioning whether any coach should ever be considered a first-ballot Hall of Famer if Belichick is not.

Here’s Tom Brady to @TheMikeSalk on Bill Belichick’s HOF snub. pic.twitter.com/YdbjdiYBa1

— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) January 28, 2026

Brady said there is no coach he would rather choose for a single season with a Super Bowl on the line, adding that the decision makes no sense based on Belichick’s career and impact.

He suggested the outcome reflects the realities of voting and popularity rather than a true assessment of Belichick’s legacy.

Support from owners and Hall voters

Patriots owner Robert Kraft also defended Belichick, calling him the greatest coach of all time and saying his body of work speaks for itself. Kraft said Belichick set the standard for sustained success in the salary-cap era and deserves unanimous first-ballot induction.

Hall of Fame voter Armando Salguero went further, calling on dissenting voters to identify themselves. He argued that the decision embarrassed the Hall and undermined confidence in the selection process.

Hall responds as pressure mounts

The Pro Football Hall of Fame acknowledged the backlash in a statement, warning that any selector found to have violated voting bylaws could face removal from the committee.

Belichick, who left the Patriots after the 2023 season and has since completed his first year coaching at North Carolina, is said to be puzzled and disappointed by the result.

While few doubt Belichick will eventually be inducted, the snub has reignited old arguments about cheating, legacy and how football chooses its immortals.