Tom Brady criticizes Bill Belichick's Hall of Fame snub

The seven-time Super Bowl champion says the decision to leave the coach off the ballot is "completely ridiculous".

Jan. 29, 2026 at 7:15am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Tom Brady, who won six Super Bowl titles with Bill Belichick as his head coach with the New England Patriots, criticized the decision by Hall of Fame voters to leave Belichick off the ballot for induction in 2026. Brady said if Belichick is not a first-ballot Hall of Famer, "there's really no coach that should ever be a first-ballot Hall of Famer."

Why it matters

Belichick is considered one of the greatest NFL coaches of all time, leading the Patriots to 17 division titles, 9 AFC championships, and 6 Super Bowl wins. His exclusion from the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility has sparked outrage from players, coaches, and fans who believe his accomplishments and impact on the game warrant immediate induction.

The details

Belichick, 73, failed to receive the 80% of votes (40 out of 50) needed for election to the Hall of Fame. ESPN reported that Belichick was "puzzled" and "disappointed" by the decision. The snub caused backlash on social media, with former players, coaches and opponents voicing their displeasure. It's believed that Belichick's involvement in the Spygate and Deflategate scandals may have played a role in his exclusion from the Class of 2026.

  • On January 23, Belichick received a call from a Hall of Fame representative informing him he would not be inducted this year.
  • The full Hall of Fame class will be announced on February 5 at the NFL Honors show.

The players

Tom Brady

A seven-time Super Bowl champion quarterback who played under Bill Belichick with the New England Patriots for 20 seasons, winning six championships together.

Bill Belichick

The head coach of the New England Patriots from 2000 to 2019, considered one of the greatest NFL coaches of all time with 17 division titles, 9 AFC championships, and 6 Super Bowl wins.

Robert Kraft

The owner of the New England Patriots, who praised Belichick's record and body of work, calling him "the greatest coach of all time" and saying he "unequivocally deserves to be a unanimous first-ballot Pro Football Hall of Famer."

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I don't understand it .... if he's not a first-ballot Hall of Famer there's really no coach that should ever be a first-ballot Hall of Famer.”

— Tom Brady

“Whatever perceptions may exist about any personal differences between Bill and me, I strongly believe Bill Belichick's record and body of work speak for themselves. As head coach of the New England Patriots for more than two decades, he set the standard for on-field excellence, preparation, and sustained success in the free agency and salary cap era of the National Football League. He is the greatest coach of all time and he unequivocally deserves to be a unanimous first-ballot Pro Football Hall of Famer.”

— Robert Kraft, Patriots owner

What’s next

The Pro Football Hall of Fame stated that "action will be taken" if one or multiple voters committed a violation of the selection process. The full Hall of Fame class for 2026 will be announced on February 5 at the NFL Honors show.

The takeaway

Bill Belichick's exclusion from the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility has sparked outrage, with players, coaches, and fans arguing that his unparalleled success and impact on the game make him a clear first-ballot Hall of Famer. The decision has raised questions about the Hall of Fame voting process and whether personal biases or scandals may have influenced the outcome.