Randy Moss Demands Hall of Fame Voting Changes After Belichick, Kraft Snubs

The former Patriots star wants only players and coaches to have a vote for the Hall of Fame.

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

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Former NFL wide receiver Randy Moss is calling for changes to the Hall of Fame voting process after his former head coach Bill Belichick and team owner Robert Kraft were not selected for induction in 2026. Moss believes that only those who have played or coached the game should be allowed to vote for Hall of Fame inductees, not media members or other non-participants.

Why it matters

The exclusion of Belichick and Kraft, who led the New England Patriots to six Super Bowl championships, has sparked outrage and renewed debates about the criteria for Hall of Fame selection. Moss' demands for voting reform aim to ensure that the most qualified candidates are chosen for the sport's highest individual honor.

The details

Moss, who played for the Patriots and several other NFL teams, made his comments ahead of the 2026 Super Bowl. He argued passionately that "if you didn't play it, if you didn't coach it, you shouldn't have a vote" for the Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame has acknowledged that changes to the voting process are being considered in the wake of the Belichick and Kraft snubs, with the organization's president stating they will "do what's best for the Hall of Fame" to "protect the integrity of the process."

  • Moss made his comments on February 8, 2026, ahead of the Super Bowl that year.
  • Belichick and Kraft were not selected for induction into the 2026 Hall of Fame class.

The players

Randy Moss

A former NFL wide receiver who played for the New England Patriots and several other teams, and is now calling for changes to the Hall of Fame voting process.

Bill Belichick

The former head coach of the New England Patriots, who led the team to six Super Bowl championships but was not selected for the Hall of Fame in 2026.

Robert Kraft

The owner of the New England Patriots, who was also not selected for the Hall of Fame in 2026 alongside his former head coach Bill Belichick.

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What they’re saying

“Going forward I know it's going to ruffle some feathers, but I really believe as a football player, if you didn't play it, if you didn't coach it, you shouldn't have a vote.”

— Randy Moss, Former NFL wide receiver (ESPN)

“We'll do some tweaks, and we'll take a look. We're going to do what's best for the Hall of Fame. My job is to protect the integrity of the Hall, protect the integrity of the process.”

— Jim Porter, Pro Football Hall of Fame President (Associated Press)

What’s next

The Hall of Fame has indicated that changes to the voting process are being considered in the wake of the Belichick and Kraft snubs, with the organization's president stating they will "do what's best for the Hall of Fame" to "protect the integrity of the process."

The takeaway

Moss' demands for Hall of Fame voting reform highlight the ongoing debates around the criteria and process for selecting inductees, particularly in light of high-profile exclusions like Belichick and Kraft. The Hall of Fame's acknowledgment that changes are being considered suggests that the organization is taking these concerns seriously and may implement new measures to ensure the most deserving candidates are recognized.