How NFL commissioner Roger Goodell reacted to reported Bill Belichick Hall of Fame snub

“We don’t participate in the voting process. I want to make sure that the question doesn’t lead people to that conclusion.”

Roger Goodell speaks during the state of the NFL news conference on Feb. 2, 2026. AP Photo/Matt York

SAN JOSE, Calif – NFL commissioner Roger Goodell denied responsibility for the reported results of the vote on Bill Belichick’s Pro Football Hall of Fame candidacy.

Belichick fell short of the 40 out of 50 votes he needed to make it into this years class. There has been outrage on social media from athletes across a variety of sports, including current NFL stars.

Former Patriots and former rivals alike have questioned how the coach with the most Super Bowl wins of all time did not make the Hall of Fame on the first ballot.

Goodell, who sits on the Hall of Fame’s board of directors, said that neither he nor the league had any impact on the vote.

“The Pro Football Hall of Fame is not in any way controlled by the NFL. We have no say in the voting process,” Goodell said. “We don’t participate in the voting process. I want to make sure that the question doesn’t lead people to that conclusion.”

“I think it’s really an important honor and it’s something that should be done with a lot of clarity, a lot of understanding of what’s expected of those voters. I’m not even sure I’m aware of it. I’ve never been part of that process. Our board does nothing more in the voting than to approve the the leaders of the media that participate in it and it’s a single vote. We approve the panel of selectors. So, we are involved in it.”

Both Belichick and team owner Robert Kraft are finalists for this years class. There are also three senior player nominees on the same ballot: Former Bengals quarterback Ken Anderson, former 49ers running back Roger Craig, and former Steelers defensive end L.C. Greenwood.

The selection committee members were allowed to vote for three of the five. A finalist must receive 80 percent of the vote to get enshrined in Canton. There’s a chance that 84-year-old Kraft could still get in this year (though reports indicate he may not). It’s his first time as a finalist.

Belichick’s six Super Bowls are the most among NFL coaches, and he has two more championships as a defensive coordinator from his time with the Giants.. He’s second on the all-time total wins list, just 14 wins shy (333) of Don Shula’s record (347).

“Listen, Bill Belichick’s record goes without saying. Same with the Patriots. And Robert Kraft, who’s also a candidate,” Goodell said. “They are spectacular. They contributed so much to this game and I believe they’ll be Hall of Famers.”

Khari A. Thompson

Sports Reporter

Khari Thompson covers professional sports for Boston.com. Before joining the team in 2022, Khari covered college football for The Clarion Ledger in Jackson, Miss.

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