Terrell Owens Warns Tom Brady About Hall of Fame Snub

Owens says Brady shouldn't expect first-ballot induction after Belichick's surprise omission.

Published on Feb. 4, 2026

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Former NFL star Terrell Owens believes Tom Brady should be worried about not making the Pro Football Hall of Fame on the first ballot, following the surprising snub of legendary coach Bill Belichick. Owens, who himself had to wait three years before being inducted, says the Hall of Fame voting process is "tainted" and the voters "should be ashamed." He warns that Brady's Deflategate suspension could also hurt his chances of a first-ballot induction, even though he is widely considered the greatest player in NFL history.

Why it matters

Belichick's failure to be inducted on the first ballot, despite his unparalleled coaching success, raises questions about the Hall of Fame voting process and whether other all-time greats like Brady could face similar snubs. This could have major implications for how the legacies of the NFL's most dominant figures are viewed.

The details

Bill Belichick, the six-time Super Bowl-winning head coach of the New England Patriots, did not receive the necessary 80% of votes to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on the first ballot. He fell just one vote short of a gold jacket. Patriots owner Robert Kraft also reportedly did not make the Hall of Fame class of 2026. Terrell Owens, who had to wait three years for his own Hall of Fame induction despite his impressive on-field accomplishments, is highly critical of the voting process, calling it "tainted" and "plain dumb." He believes Tom Brady, who was suspended for his role in the Deflategate scandal, could face a similar fate and not be inducted on the first ballot when he becomes eligible.

  • Bill Belichick did not make the Pro Football Hall of Fame on his first ballot in 2026.
  • The Hall of Fame class of 2026 will be officially announced on Thursday.

The players

Bill Belichick

The six-time Super Bowl-winning head coach of the New England Patriots who is considered one of the greatest coaches in NFL history.

Robert Kraft

The owner of the New England Patriots who also reportedly did not make the Hall of Fame class of 2026.

Terrell Owens

A former star wide receiver who had to wait three years before being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame despite his impressive on-field accomplishments.

Tom Brady

Widely considered the greatest player in NFL history, who was suspended for his role in the Deflategate scandal.

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What they’re saying

“It's been tainted. It's just plain dumb. The people at the top, whomever those writers are, they should be ashamed of themselves. Pretty sure I'm going to get a lot of flack about it. Robert Kraft doesn't get in the first go around. Bill Belichick doesn't go in on the first go around.”

— Terrell Owens, Former NFL Star (Sports Illustrated)

“Absolutely. He shouldn't go in on the first round. He got suspended for cheating. You tell me. I don't know if it's a hot take.”

— Terrell Owens, Former NFL Star (Sports Illustrated)

What’s next

The Pro Football Hall of Fame class of 2026 will be officially announced on Thursday.

The takeaway

The surprising snub of Bill Belichick and Robert Kraft's Hall of Fame inductions raises serious questions about the fairness and transparency of the voting process, and could have major implications for how the legacies of other all-time greats like Tom Brady are viewed, especially given controversies like Deflategate.