Former New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick’s failure to earn a first-ballot Hall of Fame induction has sparked confusion and debate among the fans. Ex-football executive Bill Polian has come forward with his blunt take. He dismissed claims that he jeopardized the six-time Super Bowl champion’s chances. Despite the infamous Spygate incident and the long-standing rivalry, Polian appeared to be clueless about the matter.

“I was shocked to learn Bill didn’t get in,” Polian said of Belichick via ESPN‘s Seth Wickersham’s post on X. “He deserves to be in the Hall of Fame.”

Wickersham shed light on the claims Polian made while speaking to another ESPN reporter, Don Van Natta Jr., on Tuesday. The former Buffalo Bills general manager pushed back on the claim that he urged voters to punish Belichick by delaying his induction by one year because of the Spygate incident. He explained that while he heard other voters “float that idea,” he neither supported nor opposed it. Polian also said he defended Patriots owner Robert Kraft during deliberations, saying Kraft did not know about the scandal.

“Polian added that he could not remember with 100% certainty if he voted for Belichick, saying he was 95% sure he voted for the coach and a player, “most likely” L.C. Greenwood,” Wickersham added.

Recently, Belichick failed to secure the required 40 of 50 votes. It was his first year of eligibility to earn ‌Hall of Fame honors. Just last week, the NFL legend learned of the painful news. And now, Polian’s uncertainty did little to quiet speculation, especially given his history as a rival. Before Polian addressed the claims, reports from Van Natta Jr. and Wickersham supported the widespread belief.

“Multiple sources told ESPN that Spygate and Deflategate, the twin cheating scandals during the Patriots’ championship run, came up in deliberations among voters,” their report noted.

For context, the Spygate scandal dates back to 2007. The league caught the Patriots for illegally filming the New York Jets coaches’ signals from an unauthorized location. The incident cost the Patriots a first-round draft pick and a $250,000 fine. As for Belichick, Commissioner Roger Goodell fined him $500,000. Meanwhile, many other voters who supported Belichick have stepped forward to voice their frustration.

Pro-Belichick voters speak out over snub amid Bill Polian’s claims

Bill Belichick may have missed out on his chance to join the other Hall of Famers this year. But his NFL legacy remains powerful. With eight Super Bowl rings (six as HC of the Patriots and two as the DC for the New York Giants), 17 divisional titles, and 333 NFL career wins, his chances of earning the honor were never in question. And it’s not surprising that many folks in the NFL circle who voted for him couldn’t help but share their disappointment.

“As a @ProFootballHOF voter, I believe in full transparency: I voted for Bill Belichick, and I am embarrassed for our 50-member committee that the greatest coach in NFL history is not a first ballot HOFer and some voters apparently felt he deserved to be punished for Spygate,” reporter Gary Myers wrote on X.

Another voter who claimed to be a member of the subcommittee said they were “appalled” at the result. They also revealed that none of the fifty voters knew about it. He claimed to have voted for Belichick twice, both in the general and subcommittee meetings. Meanwhile, the third user said that disclosing each voter’s stance will benefit the committee.

In his opinion, 39 voters who picked Belichick are unnecessarily bearing the brunt on behalf of those who didn’t. Senior NFL writer and voter Armando Salguero revealed that he even shared a note from quarterback Tom Brady with selectors to make his point. 

“I don’t believe that any coach in the history of the game has done more to earn his place in the Hall of Fame than Bill Belichick…” a part of Brady’s note reads. “I had a front row seat for 20 years watching the greatest coach of all time prepare, teach, and lead. He set the standard every single day…I’m grateful for what we accomplished together, and I’ll always be proud of the team we built.”

Among many strong and detailed reactions, one voter left a brief, sarcastic remark against Bill Polian. He wrote, “Bill Polian doesn’t remember his Hall of Fame vote from a few weeks ago.”

While Bill Belichick is not chasing validation, the controversy around the decision doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon. Hard luck this season; he’s sure to make the walls of Canton, Ohio in 2027