Patrick Mahomes spoke out after legendary coach Bill Belichick fell short of being a first-ballot NFL Hall of Famer.
“Insane… don’t even understand how this could be possible,” Mahomes, 30, posted via X on Tuesday, January 27.
The Kansas City Chiefs quarterback was responding to a post from ESPN’s Adam Schefter, who reported that Belichick, 73, did not receive the necessary 40 out of 50 votes in order to make the Pro Football Hall of Fame during his first year of eligibility.
Belichick received a call from a Hall of Fame representative on Friday, January 23, informing him he was not part of the 2026 class this summer, according to Schefter.
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“The Pro Football Hall of Fame does not comment on the voting of the Selection Committee and awaits the unveiling of the Class of 2026 at NFL Honors on Feb. 5 in San Francisco,” a spokesperson for the Hall of Fame told ESPN in a statement.
Despite the perceived snub, Belichick — who won six Super Bowls during his tenure as head coach of the Patriots from 2000 to 2023 — will still be eligible for induction in coming years.
The Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Selection Committee consists of one media representative from each pro football city, with two each from Los Angeles and New York. A 33rd member is a representative of the Pro Football Writers of America.
The committee also consists of up to 17 at-large delegates, which this year included former NFL coach and NBC Sports analyst Tony Dungy, Monday Night Football sideline reporter Lisa Salters and former NFL executive Bill Polian.
Voters met from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on January 13 to discuss this year’s class, per ESPN.
Multiple sources told ESPN that Spygate and Deflategate, the cheating scandals that tainted Belichick’s time in New England, both came up in deliberations.
Mahomes’ reaction to Belichick’s snub joined a chorus of stunned responses from the sports world.
Future Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer LeBron James wrote via X, “Man there’s no way I read that right! Right? Ain’t no WAY Bill Belichick ain’t 1st Ballot HOF!! That’s IMPOSSIBLE, EGREGIOUS, and quite frankly DISRESPECTFUL!”
“Holy f***! … I’m very, very surprised,” veteran NFL reporter Peter King told ESPN. “A lot of things happen in that room that are unexpected. And of course this is a big surprise to me.”
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NFL insider Jordan Schultz posted via X, “Regardless of your opinion of Bill Belichick, him not being a first ballot Hall of Famer is a disgrace — and a direct indictment on the Hall of Fame itself. Just an absolute joke.”
CBS Sports NFL reporter John Breech argued Belichick not receiving the necessary votes should lead to an overhaul of the entire selection committee.
“Bill Belichick shouldn’t just be in the Hall of Fame, he should also probably be in charge of the selection committee from now on,” Breech posted via X. “Not many people on earth appreciate the history of football more than him.”
Meanwhile, NFL coaching legend Jimmy Johnson — who was selected into the Hall of Fame in 2020 — took a more succinct approach on social media, calling anybody who didn’t vote for Belichick an “asshole.”
