Outraged erupted online Tuesday following reports that Bill Belichick was rejected as a first-ballot Hall of Famer.<\/b>
\nOutrage erupted online Tuesday following reports that Bill Belichick, former head coach for the New England Patriots, was rejected as a first-ballot Hall of Famer despite winning six Super Bowls with one of the most successful football franchises in NFL history.
Belichick reportedly \u201cfell short of the 40 out of 50 votes needed for induction to the Pro Football Hall of Fame during his first year of eligibility,\u201d ESPN reported, a claim four sources close to the situation confirmed.
\u201cBelichick received a call from a Hall representative last Friday afternoon with the news that he won\u2019t be inducted into the Hall in Canton, Ohio, this summer,\u201d added the outlet.
Sources said the news left Belichick feeling \u201cpuzzled\u201d and \u201cdisappointed,\u201d prompting him to wonder aloud, \u201cSix Super Bowls isn\u2019t enough?\u201d
Belichick won six Super Bowls as head coach for the New England Patriots and two Super Bowls as defensive coordinator for the New York Giants.
Another source expressed to ESPN that Belichick believed \u201cpolitics kept him out.\u201d
\u201cPolitics kept him out. He doesn\u2019t believe this is a reflection on his accomplishments,\u201d the source said.
A spokesperson for the Pro Football Hall of Fame told the outlet the organization \u201cdoes not comment on the voting of the Selection Committee and awaits the unveiling of the Class of 2026 at \u2018NFL Honors\u2019 on Feb. 5 in San Francisco.\u201d
Several sources confirmed to ESPN that the two Patriot cheating scandals, Spygate and Deflategate, were brought up during deliberations, with one voter, speaking anonymously, saying it was determined that Belichick would serve a one-year delay as penance for the 2007 cheating scandal, Spygate. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell fined the Patriots $500,000 and Belichick $250,000 for the scandal.
\u201cThe only explanation [for the outcome] was the cheating stuff,\u201d a veteran Hall voter told ESPN. \u201cIt really bothered some of the guys.\u201d
Whatever the reason for Belichick\u2019s rejection, the sports world expressed outrage across social media on Tuesday.<\/p>\n