Hall of Fame Voter Explains Why He Didn't Vote for Bill Belichick

The decision had nothing to do with Spygate, the voter says.

Jan. 28, 2026 at 10:55pm

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A Hall of Fame voter, Vahe Gregorian of the Kansas City Star, has come forward to explain why he did not vote for Bill Belichick to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Gregorian says his decision had nothing to do with the Spygate and Deflategate scandals that have been widely reported as reasons for Belichick's exclusion. Instead, Gregorian says he was more concerned about voting for a group of deserving senior players who have been "snubbed for decades" and might not get another chance at the ballot.

Why it matters

Belichick's exclusion from the Hall of Fame has sparked a major controversy, with many arguing that his coaching accomplishments, including a record six Super Bowl titles, make him a clear Hall of Famer. Gregorian's explanation sheds light on the complex dynamics and difficult decisions facing Hall of Fame voters under the current voting system.

The details

Gregorian, the representative of the Kansas City Chiefs media contingent, says he actually does think Belichick belongs in the Hall of Fame. However, due to recently instituted Hall of Fame rules, voters could only vote for a maximum of three of the five non-modern candidates up for consideration, which included Belichick, Patriots owner Robert Kraft, and three senior player candidates - Ken Anderson, Roger Craig and L.C. Greenwood. Gregorian felt more compelled to vote for the senior players, who he says have been "snubbed for decades" and might not get another chance, rather than Belichick, who he believes is "inevitable soon" for enshrinement.

  • The Hall of Fame voting took place in January 2026.

The players

Bill Belichick

The former head coach of the New England Patriots, who is the NFL's all-time leader in Super Bowl titles among head coaches.

Vahe Gregorian

A columnist for the Kansas City Star and a representative of the Kansas City Chiefs media contingent on the Pro Football Hall of Fame voting panel.

Ken Anderson

A senior player candidate for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Roger Craig

A senior player candidate for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

L.C. Greenwood

A senior player candidate for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

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What they’re saying

“ESPN's piece heavily suggests that Deflategate and Spygate and 'politics' led to this situation, and it quotes a veteran Hall voter as saying, 'The only explanation (for the outcome) was the cheating stuff. It really bothered some of the guys.'”

— Vahe Gregorian, Kansas City Star columnist

“Perhaps that affected some voters, perhaps not. I can't and won't try to speak for others, and it's a condition of being a voter to not divulge the deliberations.”

— Vahe Gregorian, Kansas City Star columnist

“But the so-called 'cheating stuff' is not at all the only possible explanation. Because it certainly didn't ultimately influence my vote.”

— Vahe Gregorian, Kansas City Star columnist

“All of that went into why I felt duty-bound to vote for the richly deserving seniors, who most likely won't ever have a hearing again as more senior candidates enter the pool and fresh cases get made for others.”

— Vahe Gregorian, Kansas City Star columnist

“Meanwhile, Belichick is inevitable soon … as he should be. At the risk of contradicting my own vote, really, he shouldn't even have to wait. I understand why people are offended that he isn't going in the first moment he can.”

— Vahe Gregorian, Kansas City Star columnist

What’s next

Belichick is expected to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame next year, after this year's snub sparked a major controversy.

The takeaway

Belichick's exclusion from the Hall of Fame highlights the complex dynamics and difficult decisions facing Hall of Fame voters under the current voting system, which forces them to choose between deserving candidates. While Gregorian's reasoning may not satisfy everyone, it underscores the need for the Hall of Fame to re-evaluate its voting rules to ensure the most deserving candidates are enshrined.