Troy Aikman adds his voice to those already upset over Bill Belichick’s HOF snub originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Bill Belichick stands outside Canton after voters unexpectedly rejected his attempt for first-ballot entry. The legendary coach did not receive the necessary support on Tuesday evening.
On Wednesday, January 28, 2026, the three-time Super Bowl champion and Hall of Fame quarterback took to social media to call out the selection committee, labeling it a "disappointing day for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.”
While several voters, including Gary Myers and Dan Pompei, publicly confirmed they voted for him, others reportedly cited the Spygate and Deflategate scandals as reasons to wait another year.
As a @ProFootballHOF voter, I believe in full transparency: I voted for Bill Belichick and I am embarrassed for our 50-member committee that the greatest coach in NFL history is not a first ballot HOFer and some voters apparently felt he deserved to be punished for Spygate.
— Gary Myers (@GaryMyersNY) January 28, 2026
Another voter Tony Grossi said, “As a member of the coach sub committee that advanced Bill Belichick as a HOF finalist, I am appalled at the leak & the result of the vote. None of the 50 voters knew the result.”
Belichick did not receive 40 of the 50 votes required to be elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. This surprising result shocked sports observers.
The coach boasts 8 Super Bowl titles on his resume compared to just 3 for Aikman. Six of those championships came as the head coach.
Aikman understands that greatness is needed to win, but Belichick has twice as the championships as the quarterback. This oversight keeps the architect of a dynasty waiting.
This was Belichick's first year of eligibility after a rule change allowed coaches to be considered just one year after retirement. He is currently the head coach at UNC.
Bill Polian’s alleged push impacts Bill Belichick’s Hall of Fame case
Reports suggest that certain controversies significantly influenced the decision to delay the induction. Voters seemed to heavily consider past infractions when evaluating his record.
Wickersham noted that “multiple sources told ESPN that Spygate and Deflategate” arose during voting. These twin cheating scandals marred the dynasty run for the Patriots.
Former executive Bill Polian reportedly urged the room to make the legend wait for penance. Polian felt Belichick should “wait a year” before induction.
The 2007 Spygate incident cost the team a first-round draft pick and heavy financial penalties. Commissioner Roger Goodell fined the Patriots $500,000 and Belichick $250,000.
Voters will likely reconsider the greatest coach ever during the next annual cycle in 2027. The committee must eventually separate administrative penalties from pure gridiron dominance.
The full Class of 2026 will be officially announced on February 5, 2026, during the NFL Honors in San Francisco.
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