Bill Belichick was “snubbed” from being a first‑ballot Pro Football Hall of Famer mainly because of the voting structure, lingering backlash over Spygate/cheating allegations, and some voters’ “politics” or personal stances, not because anyone doubts his résumé.

Quick Scoop: What Actually Happened

  • Belichick was up as the coach finalist in a special 5‑person pool, separate from the main modern‑era ballot.
  • The 50 voters could only pick three names out of: Belichick, Patriots owner Robert Kraft, and senior candidates Ken Anderson, Roger Craig, and L.C. Greenwood.
  • He needed 80% (40 of 50) and came up short, so he doesn’t go in this year despite eight Super Bowls (six as Pats HC).

In simple terms: he wasn’t “voted out” of Canton forever, he just didn’t clear the bar on the first try under a weird, crowded format.

Why Some Voters Left Him Off

1. “Curious” ballot mechanics and senior priorities

At least one voter, Vahe Gregorian of the Kansas City Star , publicly admitted he didn’t vote for Belichick even though he thinks Belichick obviously belongs in the Hall.

His reasoning:

  • The Hall lumped Belichick with three long‑waiting senior players plus Kraft, but only allowed 3 total votes.
  • He felt “duty‑bound” to back the senior candidates who’ve been overlooked for decades, calling them the ones who had been snubbed.
  • His logic: Belichick is guaranteed to get in eventually; these older guys might be on their last realistic shot.

So some “no” votes were less “Belichick isn’t worthy” and more “these seniors can’t wait, he can.”

2. Spygate, Deflategate, and “cheating” stigma

Multiple reports say the scandals around Belichick did come up in the room and influenced some voters.

Key points:

  • “Spygate” (illegal filming/sign stealing) led to a $500,000 fine for Belichick’s team and has hung over his legacy for years.
  • Some selectors reportedly couldn’t vote for him because they felt Spygate tarnished his achievements, even though the Hall doesn’t have official “character” rules.
  • ESPN‑sourced reporting and others framed two main reasons for his snub: political dynamics and cheating allegations.

Ironically, one voter even pointed out that Belichick’s winning percentage and ring count were better after Spygate than before, but the stigma still stuck for some people.

3. Politics and grudges

Several insider reports say Belichick himself believes this was largely politics , not a real statement on his career.

  • A source told ESPN: “Politics kept him out… he doesn’t believe this is a reflection on his accomplishments.”
  • Commentators have openly floated that some in the media/selector group resented his notoriously cold attitude toward press and used this as a chance to “get even.”
  • Other coverage described the outcome as having a “whiff of piety” and score‑settling, as if voters were sending a message about protecting “The Shield” and the game’s image.

Add in his recent messy exit from New England, his controversial off‑field headlines, and his rocky transition to North Carolina, and you get a sense that some people simply weren’t inclined to give him a ceremonial first‑ballot coronation.

How Fans and Big Names Are Reacting

  • Robert Kraft called him the “greatest coach of all time” and made it clear he thinks this delay is ridiculous.
  • Tom Brady said he can’t even fathom why his old coach isn’t going to Canton right away.
  • NFL media, players, and fans have flooded social and forums with variations of: “If Belichick isn’t first ballot, who is?”

Many writers are framing it less as “he might not belong” and more as a temporary, reputation‑driven snub that will almost certainly be corrected in the next cycles.

The Core Answer in One Line

Belichick was snubbed as a first‑ballot Hall of Famer because a tight, quirky voting format collided with long‑standing Spygate/cheating stigma and selector politics, even though almost everyone accepts that his résumé is Hall‑of‑Fame‑lock level.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.