NBA icon LeBron James was among several star names who have reacted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026 after a legend was reportedly snubbed from the list.
On Tuesday (January 27), it was reported by ESPN that the eight-time Super Bowl-winning coach Bill Belichick was not a first-ballot Hall of Famer despite his array of achievements working in the NFL.
The outlet reported that the 73-year-old, who has an impressive coaching record of 333 wins, fell short as he did not gain the required 40 out of 50 votes needed to be introduced to the Pro Football Hall of Fame during his first year of eligibility.
The voting committee consists mostly of experienced NFL reporters and football figures.
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According to Sky Sports, Belichick was informed of the snub via a phone call last Friday. The official class of 2026 will be revealed at the NFL Honours ceremony on February 5.
Since the news of Belichick’s reported snub was reported, several notable sporting and political figures have taken to social media slamming the call.
Kansas City Chiefs star Patrick Mahomes described the snub as “insane” before adding that he “don’t even understand how this could be possible”, in a post on X.
NBA icon James also offered his thoughts on X.
The LA Lakers star posted: “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!”
JJ Watt, who represented the Houston Texans and the Arizona Cardinals during his career, also waded in with his thoughts on X.
He wrote: “I can’t be reading this right.
“This has to be some knock-off Hall of Fame or something; it can’t be the actual NFL Hall of Fame.
“There is not a single world whatsoever in which Bill Belichick should not be a First-Ballot Hall of Famer.”
Even US President Donald Trump, branded Belichick’s omission from the Hall of Fame as “ridiculous”.
Posting on Truth Social, Trump exclaimed: "It is the same mindset that gave pro football the new and unwatchable 'Sissy' Kickoff Rule, that made it possible for Bill Belichick to not be elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Both are ridiculous and should be overturned!"
Belichick is currently the head coach of the University of North Carolina.
Topics: NFL, Lebron James, Patrick Mahomes, American Football
Luke Davies