Tom Brady Sounds Off on Bill Belichick’s Hall of Fame Snub: “If He’s Not First-Ballot, Who Is?”
In a move that sent shockwaves through the football world, legendary head coach Bill Belichick-owner of eight Super Bowl rings-didn’t make the cut as a first-ballot inductee into the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s class of 2026. According to reporting, Belichick fell short of the required 40 out of 50 votes needed for enshrinement. And while the football community had plenty to say, one voice stood out above the rest: Tom Brady.
Brady, the quarterback most closely tied to Belichick’s dynastic run in New England, finally weighed in during an appearance on Brock and Salk on Seattle Sports. And let’s just say, he didn’t hold back.
**“I don’t understand it,” Brady said. “I mean, 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 first-ballot Hall of Famer.” **
That’s not hyperbole-it’s coming from the man who won six Super Bowls under Belichick’s leadership. For Brady, who’s seen the grind, the preparation, and the football IQ up close, the idea that Belichick wouldn’t be a lock for Canton on the first try feels not just wrong, but borderline absurd.
“He’s incredible. There’s no coach I’d rather play for,” Brady continued.
**“If I’m picking one coach to go out there to win a Super Bowl, give me one season, I’m taking Bill Belichick. So that’s enough said.”
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It’s hard to argue with that. Belichick’s résumé speaks for itself: 31 playoff wins, 17 division titles, and a coaching tree that extends across the league.
He’s been the gold standard of NFL coaching for over two decades. But the Hall of Fame voting process isn’t always about wins and losses.
And this year, other factors reportedly crept into the conversation.
According to the report, discussions among Hall of Fame voters included Belichick’s involvement in the Spygate and Deflategate controversies. One notable name mentioned was former GM and Hall of Fame voter Bill Polian, who was said to have suggested Belichick should wait a year because of those scandals. Polian, for his part, has denied making that argument.
Still, it’s clear that the off-field storylines-however you view them-played a role in the voting room. And while that may frustrate fans and players alike, Brady doesn’t seem too concerned about the long-term outcome.
“When it comes down to votes and popularity and all that, then welcome to the world of voting,” Brady said. **“You might as well try out for the Oscars and get a big panel to tell you if you’re good or not.
It’s the way that it works, unfortunately.” **
That’s Brady in a nutshell-cutting through the noise and getting to the heart of it. He knows Belichick’s legacy isn’t defined by a single vote or a delayed induction. It’s carved into the history of the game.
“He’s gonna get into the Hall of Fame,” Brady added. “In the end, I’m not worried about that.”
And when that day comes, Brady made it clear: the football world will show up in force.
“A lot of times in life for all of us, things don’t happen exactly how you want them or on your timeline,” he said. **“But we’ll all be there to celebrate him when it does happen.
He’s gonna have a huge turnout from so many players, coaches that appreciated everything he did, the commitment he made to winning, and the impact that he had on all our lives.” **
That’s the thing about legacy-it’s not always about the plaque on the wall, it’s about the people who show up to honor it. And when Belichick finally gets that gold jacket, expect a who’s who of NFL greatness to be there, led by the quarterback who knows him best.