BOSTON (WHDH) - Former Patriots Head Coach and eight-time Super Bowl champion Bill Belichick is out of the running for a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility, according to ESPN.
ESPN reports that Belichick, who has the second-most coaching wins in the history of the NFL, will fall short of the 40 votes needed for induction into the Hall. Belichick won six Super Bowls as the Head Coach of the Patriots, and won two prior to those while on the coaching staff of the New York Giants.
ESPN sources said his involvement in cheating scandals with the Patriots was likely a reason several voters left him off their ballot.
During the first half of the New England Patriots’ game against the New York Jets in 2007, a Patriots video assistant was caught on the sideline illegally videotaping Jets coaches’ defensive signals, which began the scandal known as “Spygate.” Seven years later, Belichick and the Patriots also came under fire for being aware of the team using footballs that had been deflated to air pressure levels below what the league allowed during the AFC Championship game. Quarterback Tom Brady served a four-game suspension for the infamous scandal that became known as “Deflategate.”
ESPN reports Belichick was puzzled and disappointed about the Hall of Fame snub news Tuesday, and asked one associate, “Six super bowls isn’t enough?”
Fans shared that same sentiment.
“I’m actually very surprised he didn’t make it first ballot. Six Super Bowls, how could you not make it? It’s crazy,” said Russell Lebert, a Patriots fan. “I would think there’s people against him or something. What would be the reason he wouldn’t make first ballot?”
“I’m a little surprised. His tenure here was certainly one that was successful, but I think we’ll see him on the ballot again,” said Caragh Whalen-Feinblatt, a Patriots fan.
Belichick, who is currently the Head Coach at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, will be eligible to be voted into the Hall again next year.
Patriots Owner Robert Kraft and former Patriots kicker Adam Vinatieri are also on the ballot for this year’s Hall of Fame class.
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