In the aftermath of some high-profile omissions from the Pro Football Hall of Fame-including the likes of Bill Belichick, Robert Kraft, and Eli Manning-the debate over how the selection process works is heating up again. And leave it to Deion Sanders to throw gasoline on the fire.
Speaking with ESPN’s Kevin Clark, Sanders didn’t hold back. The Hall of Famer and current Colorado head coach made it clear he doesn’t think media members should be the ones deciding who gets a gold jacket. Instead, Sanders argued that only Hall of Famers themselves should vote on future inductees.
“I wouldn’t want the Grinch who stole Christmas voting on a beauty pageant,” Sanders said, making his point with the kind of metaphor only Deion can deliver. When Clark pushed back, suggesting that writers do a solid job covering the league, Sanders shot that down immediately: “No, they don’t.”
Now, Sanders isn’t alone in questioning the current system. Fans have long voiced frustration with the Hall of Fame voting process, especially when legendary figures like Belichick and Kraft are left out. But Sanders’ idea-that only players who’ve already earned enshrinement should have the final say-has sparked serious pushback online.
Some fans argue that giving Hall of Famers exclusive voting rights could create a different kind of bias. One user on X likened the idea to letting former athletes take over analyst roles on TV-some do it well, but many don’t have the training, objectivity, or attention to detail that professional journalists bring to the table.
Another pointed out that Hall of Famers, historically, haven’t always been the best at recognizing greatness in the next generation. “Nobody would get in,” the comment read.
Critics also took issue with the names Sanders put forward as examples of who should be in-former teammate Darren Woodson, and fellow South Florida natives Fred Taylor and Asante Samuel. That raised eyebrows, with some suggesting Sanders was just stumping for his guys.
At the heart of the issue is a question that’s been lingering for years: Who should hold the keys to Canton? The current system relies on a panel made up largely of media members, many of whom have covered the league for decades.
They’re tasked with balancing stats, impact, longevity, and legacy-no small feat. But when names like Belichick or Kraft are left out, it’s fair to ask whether the process is working as intended.
Sanders’ proposal flips the script entirely. It’s not about tweaking the system-it’s about tearing it down and rebuilding it with a different kind of gatekeeper. And while that might resonate with players who feel misunderstood or underappreciated by the media, it also raises tough questions about fairness, transparency, and accountability.
At the end of the day, fans aren’t necessarily demanding a revolution-they just want voters who understand the game at the highest level and can recognize greatness when they see it. Whether that means more former players in the room, a more diverse panel, or simply more openness about how decisions are made, one thing is clear: the Hall of Fame debate isn’t going away anytime soon.