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Bill Belichick Won't be First-Ballot Hall of Famer
Former New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, who won eight Super Bowls, will not be a first-ballot Hall of Famer, according to Don Van Natta Jr. and Seth Wickersham of ESPN. Belichick fell short of the 40 of 50 votes needed for induction to the Pro Football Hall of Fame during his first year of eligibility, according to four sources with first-hand knowledge of the outcome. Sources who spoke with the coach over the weekend described Belichick as "puzzled" and "disappointed." "Politics kept him out. He doesn't believe this is a reflection on his accomplishments," a source familiar with Belichick's thinking said. Per Ari Meirov, former Bills and Colts general manager and long-time Patriots rival Bill Polian told some voters that he thought Belichick should "wait a year" as penance for the Spygate and Deflategate scandals. Most fans considered Belichick to be a lock as a first-ballot Hall of Famer with an NFL coaching record of 333-178, including the playoffs.
Source: ESPN.com - Don Van Natta Jr. and Seth Wickersham
Source: ESPN.com - Don Van Natta Jr. and Seth Wickersham
