The Pro Football Hall of Fame’s 2026 class was officially revealed, and while there’s plenty to celebrate, one glaring omission has sparked a wave of frustration from some of the game’s all-time greats: Bill Belichick didn’t make the cut.
Emmitt Smith, the NFL’s all-time leading rusher and a Hall of Famer himself, didn’t mince words when asked about Belichick being left out. Appearing on ESPN’s First Take, Smith unloaded on the selection process, calling out what he sees as hypocrisy among the voters.
“I am livid,” Smith said. “Absolutely livid.
What you’re seeing is the hypocrisy that’s going on with some of these writers. People are mad at certain things, whether he wanted to talk to you or not.”
Smith’s frustration echoes a broader sentiment that’s been building ever since reports emerged about behind-the-scenes discussions among Hall of Fame voters. According to ESPN’s Don Van Natta Jr. and Seth Wickersham, former Colts GM and fellow Hall of Famer Bill Polian allegedly suggested Belichick should be made to “wait a year” before induction as a form of punishment for the infamous Spygate scandal. Polian has since denied making that statement but was noncommittal when asked if he voted for Belichick.
That kind of ambiguity isn’t sitting well with Smith, who believes the process lacks transparency and accountability.
“I dislike the fact that people vote, and their votes are not revealed-who did what and why,” Smith said. “I think you guys, the press, have the right to ask the question: why did you vote that way? What was your reasoning?”
Smith didn’t hold back when addressing what he sees as personal grudges influencing a process that should be about football legacy, not media relationships or past controversies.
“I don’t care if you’re from Indianapolis. I don’t care where you may be from.
The bottom line is, you’re mad for a reason. And whatever the reason is, you’re acting like your [expletive] don’t stink.”
The 2026 class did include kicker Adam Vinatieri, who spent key years of his career under Belichick in New England. But Belichick, along with Patriots owner Robert Kraft and tight end Rob Gronkowski, will have to wait at least another year.
And that’s where Smith’s concern deepens. Looking ahead to 2027, the Hall of Fame will be staring down another no-brainer: Tom Brady becomes eligible. If Brady doesn’t make it on the first ballot, Smith says it would call the entire process into question.
“If he’s not a first-round ballot, I don’t even know why I’m in it,” Smith said. “At the end of the day, you’re talking about people that have done things the game has never seen before. No one on the planet has more rings than Tom Brady and Bill Belichick.”
Smith’s point is hard to argue. Belichick isn’t just a coach with six Super Bowl rings-he’s a defining figure in NFL history.
His 20-year run with Brady in New England reshaped the league’s modern era. And while controversies like Spygate and Deflategate have left their mark, it’s impossible to talk about the NFL’s greatest dynasties without mentioning Belichick’s name.
This isn’t just about one man being snubbed. It’s about what the Hall of Fame is supposed to represent: the undeniable impact of a career on the game itself. For Smith and many others, Belichick has more than earned that honor.
Now, all eyes turn to next year-and to how the Hall handles the next round of decisions. Because if Belichick and Brady aren’t first-ballot Hall of Famers, it’s fair to ask: what exactly are we doing here?