Trump, Brady and sports world question Belichick Hall of Fame delay

January 30, 2026 Oliver Obel

Few Hall of Fame decisions provoke immediate consensus, but the reported delay in Bill Belichick’s induction has done exactly that, prompting criticism from across American sport and from the White House.

Belichick, one of the most influential figures in NFL history, became eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame this year after stepping away from the New England Patriots. Despite expectations of an automatic first-ballot selection, reports say he fell short of the 40 votes required from the 50-member selection committee.

Such outcomes are uncommon for candidates of Belichick’s stature, particularly those whose careers helped define an era of the league.

A record that reshaped the NFL

Belichick’s coaching career spans nearly three decades and includes achievements unmatched in the modern game. He won six Super Bowls as head coach of the Patriots, all with Tom Brady as his quarterback, and captured two more championships earlier as defensive co-ordinator with the New York Giants.

His teams also secured nine conference titles and 17 division championships, and his 333 combined regular-season and playoff victories rank second all-time.

Against that backdrop, reaction to the Hall of Fame vote was swift.

US President Donald Trump wrote on social media that the decision was “ridiculous and should be overturned,” reflecting widespread disbelief among fans and former players.

Brady questions the logic

Brady, who won seven Super Bowls during a career split between New England and Tampa Bay, said he could not reconcile Belichick’s résumé with the outcome.

Speaking to Seattle Sports 710 AM, Brady argued that if Belichick did not meet the standard for first-ballot induction, then the category itself was being misapplied.

“He's incredible. There's no coach I'd rather play for,” Brady said. “If I'm picking one coach to go out there to win a Super Bowl give me one season I'm taking Bill Belichick. So that's enough said.”

Brady added that he viewed the decision as a delay rather than a denial, expressing confidence that Belichick’s induction would ultimately be inevitable.

Scandals resurface in the debate

According to ESPN, some voters may still weigh two major controversies from Belichick’s time in New England.

In 2007, the Patriots were penalised in the Spy-gate scandal after being caught filming the New York Jets’ defensive signals from an unauthorised location, resulting in fines and the loss of a first-round draft pick.

Eight years later, the team was fined $1m and Brady was suspended for four games following an investigation into under-inflated footballs a case that became known as Deflate-gate.

While both incidents continue to colour public discussion of the Patriots’ dynasty, Belichick’s broader influence on defensive schemes, roster construction and game management remains widely acknowledged across the league.

Support beyond football

Reaction was not limited to NFL circles. Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes described the decision as baffling, while NBA star LeBron James posted that leaving Belichick off the first ballot was “egregious” and “disrespectful.”

Former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman, who entered the Hall of Fame in 2006, also criticised the outcome, calling it a “disappointing day” for the institution.

Looking ahead

The Hall of Fame voting panel is made up primarily of veteran NFL reporters, along with former players and coaches. Candidates who do not gain entry on their first attempt remain eligible in subsequent years.

Belichick left the Patriots in January 2024 after 24 seasons and has since taken over as head coach at the University of North Carolina, marking his first role in college football.

For many of those reacting to the vote, the issue is no longer whether Belichick belongs in the Hall of Fame, but why a career so central to modern NFL history was not recognised immediately.

Sources: ESPN