Tom Brady Weighs In on Bill Belichick’s Hall of Fame Snub: “If He’s Not First-Ballot, Who Is?”
Bill Belichick’s resume speaks for itself-eight Super Bowl rings, the second-most wins in NFL history, and a legacy that helped define two decades of dominance in New England. But despite all that, the legendary coach won’t be heading to Canton on his first try. And Tom Brady, the quarterback who shared six of those championships with him, isn’t holding back his disbelief.
In an interview on Seattle Sports, Brady addressed the news that Belichick fell short of the 40 votes needed for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame this year. His reaction? Exactly what you'd expect from someone who spent 20 seasons witnessing Belichick’s brilliance up close.
“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 Hall of Famer.”
That’s not just a former player sticking up for his coach-it’s a statement grounded in football reality. Belichick didn’t just win; he built a dynasty.
His six Super Bowl titles as head coach of the Patriots are unmatched. Add in two more rings from his time as the Giants’ defensive coordinator, and you’re looking at a coaching résumé that’s as decorated as any in the sport’s history.
The reported reason behind the snub? According to ESPN, some Hall of Fame voters may have withheld their support due to lingering resentment over the "Spygate" and "Deflategate" controversies. If true, it’s a decision that prioritizes punishment over legacy-and it’s not sitting well with many in the football world.
Brady, for his part, didn’t dwell on the politics. He focused on what Belichick meant to the game-and to the people who played it.
“He’s going to have a huge turnout from so many players, coaches that appreciated everything that he did and the commitment that he made to winning, and the impact he had on all our lives,” Brady said. “And that’ll be a great celebration when it happens.”
That celebration will come-eventually. But the fact that it didn’t happen this year is raising eyebrows across the league.
Belichick’s impact on the game is undeniable. His teams were defined by discipline, adaptability, and a relentless focus on winning.
And while the scandals are part of his story, they don’t erase two decades of sustained excellence.
What Belichick accomplished in New England wasn’t just about rings-it was about building a culture that turned late-round picks into Pro Bowlers, undrafted players into household names, and a sixth-round quarterback into the greatest of all time.
So yes, it’s surprising-and more than a little frustrating-for many around the league to see him left out of Canton on his first ballot.
And it raises a fair question: If voters are willing to hold Belichick’s controversies against him, will they do the same with Brady when his time comes? After all, he was at the center of "Deflategate" too. The hope is that voters will separate isolated incidents from careers that reshaped the sport.
For now, Belichick will wait. But make no mistake-his gold jacket is coming. The only question is why it’s taking this long.