Bill Belichick, widely regarded as the greatest coach in NFL history, has reportedly been denied first-ballot induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, prompting criticism from former quarterback Tom Brady, US President Donald Trump, and other sporting figures. Belichick won six Super Bowls as head coach of the New England Patriots with Brady and two more as defensive coordinator with the New York Giants. He reportedly fell short of the 40 votes neededfor induction in his first year of eligibility.
Trump called the decision “ridiculous” on social media, while Brady said, “If he’s not a first-ballot Hall of Famer, there’s really no coach that should ever be one,” praising Belichick’s impact on players and his unparalleled coaching record. The vote may have been influenced by the Patriots’ Spy-gate and Deflate-gate scandals, though Brady said he is confident Belichick will eventually be honored.
