Robert Kraft, Jerry Rice Speak Out After Bill Belichick Misses First-Ballot Hall of Fame Nod
Bill Belichick and Robert Kraft may have had a complicated ending to their 24-year run together in New England, but when it comes to Belichick’s legacy, Kraft isn’t mincing words: the man belongs in the Hall of Fame - immediately.
In a statement released Wednesday, the Patriots owner made it clear that personal differences don’t erase history. And Belichick’s history? It’s unmatched.
“Whatever perceptions may exist about any personal differences between Bill and me, I strongly believe Bill Belichick's record and body of work speak for themselves,” Kraft said.
He went a step further, calling Belichick the greatest coach of all time and stating unequivocally that he should have been a unanimous first-ballot Hall of Famer.
“As head coach of the New England Patriots for more than two decades, he set the standard for on-field excellence, preparation and sustained success in the free agency and salary cap era of the National Football League,” Kraft added.
That’s not just owner-speak. That’s a man who watched Belichick turn a franchise into a dynasty - six Super Bowl titles, nine AFC championships, and a culture of relentless preparation that became the gold standard across the league.
But despite that staggering résumé, Belichick wasn’t voted in on his first try. According to ESPN, he fell short of the 40 votes needed from the 50-member Hall of Fame selection committee. The decision sparked immediate backlash, with fans and analysts alike questioning how the most decorated coach of the modern era could be left off.
And Kraft isn’t the only one speaking up.
Hall of Fame wide receiver Jerry Rice voiced his disbelief during an appearance on The Rich Eisen Show, pointing to Belichick’s eight Super Bowl rings - two as a defensive coordinator, six as a head coach - as reason enough.
“How many rings? Eight rings.
Should be a no-brainer,” Rice said. “I don’t know what’s going on, but I think he really deserves that… I think he deserves to be in the Hall of Fame.”
Rice’s comments echo what many around the league are feeling - that Belichick’s omission isn’t just surprising, it’s baffling. For over two decades, Belichick was the architect of sustained dominance in a league built for parity. He thrived in the salary cap era, adapted through rule changes, roster turnover, and the rise of analytics, and still managed to keep the Patriots at the top of the NFL food chain.
Of course, the post-Brady years didn’t bring the same success. After Tom Brady left for Tampa Bay, the Patriots struggled to find their footing. Belichick’s final two seasons in New England ended without playoff appearances, and reports hinted at a growing disconnect between him and Kraft over the direction of the team.
Still, the decision to part ways after the 2023 season was described as mutual - a respectful end to an iconic partnership. And in a twist few saw coming, Belichick reemerged in December 2024 as the new head coach of the North Carolina Tar Heels, taking over as the 35th coach in program history and bringing his NFL pedigree to the college ranks.
It’s a new chapter for Belichick, but his NFL story is already written in boldface.
From his early days as a defensive mastermind - winning his first two Super Bowl rings with the New York Jets - to building a two-decade dynasty in Foxborough, Belichick didn’t just win games. He changed the game.
So while the Hall of Fame committee may have hit pause, the conversation around Belichick’s legacy is only getting louder. And with voices like Kraft and Rice leading the charge, it’s clear: this snub won’t sit quietly.