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Roger Craig, Drew Brees Among 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame Class
Bill Belichick and Robert Kraft were notably absent from the inductees.
Published on Feb. 5, 2026
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The 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame class was announced, with running back Roger Craig, wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, linebacker Luke Kuechly, kicker Adam Vinatieri, and quarterback Drew Brees among the new inductees. However, coaches Bill Belichick and Robert Kraft were notably absent from the class, sparking controversy and public outcry.
Why it matters
The Hall of Fame induction is one of the highest honors in professional football, recognizing the greatest players, coaches, and contributors to the sport. The exclusion of Belichick and Kraft, who have had immense success with the New England Patriots, has raised questions about the selection process and the criteria used by the Hall of Fame voters.
The details
Roger Craig, a former 49ers running back, was elected to the Hall of Fame on his 28th year of eligibility after a successful 11-year career that included three Super Bowl wins with San Francisco. Other inductees include wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, linebacker Luke Kuechly, kicker Adam Vinatieri, and quarterback Drew Brees. However, the exclusion of Bill Belichick and Robert Kraft, who have led the Patriots to multiple Super Bowl championships, has sparked controversy and public outcry, with some speculating that the 'Deflategate' and 'Spygate' scandals may have played a role in their exclusion.
- The 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame class was announced on February 5, 2026 during the NFL Honors ceremony.
- The induction ceremony is scheduled for August 8, 2026 in Canton, Ohio.
The players
Roger Craig
A former running back who spent the majority of his 11-year career with the San Francisco 49ers, winning three Super Bowls. He was the first player in NFL history to rush for 1,000 yards and have 1,000 receiving yards in the same season, a feat that has only been matched by two other players.
Bill Belichick
The head coach of the New England Patriots, who has led the team to multiple Super Bowl championships but was notably absent from the 2026 Hall of Fame class.
Robert Kraft
The owner of the New England Patriots, who was also absent from the 2026 Hall of Fame class, despite the team's success under his ownership.
What’s next
The induction ceremony for the 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame class is scheduled for August 8, 2026 in Canton, Ohio.
The takeaway
The 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame class highlights the ongoing debate around the selection process and the criteria used to determine who is worthy of the sport's highest honor. The exclusion of Bill Belichick and Robert Kraft, two of the most successful figures in the NFL, has sparked controversy and raised questions about the fairness and transparency of the Hall of Fame voting.
