US President Donald Trump has joined extensive criticism of legendary former NFL coach Bill Belichick being reportedly denied first-ballot induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Belichick is widely considered the greatest coach in NFL history, having won six Super Bowl titles as head coach of the New England Patriots and two as defensive co-ordinator with the New York Giants,
He reportedly fell short of the 40 out of 50 votes needed for induction in his first year of eligibility.
Trump posted on social media to say it was “ridiculous and should be overturned”.
His comments followed those of Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who wrote on X: “Insane… don’t even understand how this could be possible.”
Meanwhile, NBA great LeBron James posted: “Man there’s no way I read that right! Right? Ain’t no way Bill Belichick ain’t 1st Ballot HOF!! That’s impossible, egregious, and quite frankly disrespectful!”
The first, in 2007, saw the team heavily fined and a first-round draft pick taken away after they were caught recording the New York Jets’ defensive coaches’ signals from an unauthorised location during a match.
- 12 May 2015
In addition to his Super Bowl victories, Belichick won nine conference championships, 17 division titles and he is second on the all-time wins list, including playoffs, with 333.
He left the Patriots in January 2024 after 24 years and currently coaches the University of North Carolina in the college form of the game.
The Hall of Fame’s voting committee is made up of mostly veteran NFL reporters, but also includes former players and coaches.
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- American Football
- 16 August 2025
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