UNC’s Belichick not elected first-ballot Hall of Famer, drawing outrage

What do LeBron James, Tom Brady, the president of the United States and North Carolina’s athletic director-in-waiting all have in common?

They all agree on this much: Bill Belichick was snubbed.

Reactions ranging from disbelief to outrage have continued to pour in from the sports world and political realm after ESPN reported Tuesday that Belichick — widely regarded as one of the greatest coaches in NFL history — was not elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.

Belichick, the UNC football coach and former New England Patriots coach, fell short of the 40 votes required from the 50-member committee, according to multiple reports. Belichick declined comment to The News & Observer.

UNC football general manager Michael Lombardi, a longtime confidant of Belichick, called the decision “a complete injustice” in a post on X Tuesday night.

North Carolina athletic director-in-waiting Steve Newmark added, “It’s hard to imagine a scenario where Bill Belichick is not a first ballot selection to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.”

“The greatest coaching resume in NFL history speaks for itself, and we are fortunate to have Coach Belichick leading our team,” Newmark wrote on X Wednesday morning.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame released a statement Wednesday night, writing the organization “understands and respects the passionate reaction of many fans, media members and enshrinees of the Hall itself in light of published reports regarding the voting results for the Class of 2026.”

“It’s that very passion that propels the game,” the statement reads. “The Hall also respects the members of the Selection Committee when they follow the selection process bylaws... the selection of a new class is the most important duty the Hall of Fame oversees each year, and the integrity of that process cannot be in question.”

Belichick won six Super Bowl titles as head coach of the Patriots and two more as defensive coordinator of the New York Giants. His 333 career victories rank second all-time behind Don Shula.

Even before his tumultuous first season in Chapel Hill, Belichick was involved in some controversy. Belichick was at the center of the Patriots’ Spygate scandal in 2007 and led the team during the 2015 Deflategate controversy. ESPN’s reporting indicates that HOF deliberations included discussion of the Patriots’ scandals.

After the report broke Tuesday, reaction poured in quickly from across the sports landscape.

“Insane,” Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes wrote on X.

Former NFL star J.J. Watt added, “There is not a single world whatsoever in which Bill Belichick should not be a First-Ballot Hall of Famer.”

Dallas Cowboys Hall of Fame quarterback Troy Aikman called it a “disappointing day for the Pro Football Hall of Fame,” while basketball royalty LeBron James described the decision as “IMPOSSIBLE, EGREGIOUS, and quite frankly DISRESPECTFUL.”

By Wednesday, members of the Patriots camp began to weigh in. Tom Brady appeared on Seattle radio show “Brock & Salk“ and expressed his disbelief.

“I don’t understand it,” Brady said. “I was with him every day. If he’s not a first-ballot Hall of Famer, there’s really no coach that should ever be a first-ballot Hall of Famer.”

New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, in a statement to the Associated Press, “I strongly believe Bill Belichick’s record and body of work speak for themselves.”

Belichick was hired by New England in 2000 and, on top of the six rings, led the franchise to three other title game appearances during an 18-year span from 2001-18.

He finished 4-8 in his debut year at North Carolina after spending nearly five decades in the NFL. Belichick’s arrival in Chapel Hill brought unprecedented national attention to the Tar Heels’ football program.

The HOF Class of 2026 will be announced Feb. 5 during NFL Honors in San Francisco. Belichick will be eligible again in next year’s voting cycle.

This story was originally published January 28, 2026 at 4:50 PM.