Bill Polian responds to reports on Bill Belichick’s Hall of Fame vote, denies pushing one-year wait

The reports that erstwhile New England Patriots manager Bill Belichick would not beryllium enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame successful Canton, Ohio, successful August sparked beardown reactions crossed the sports world.

Belichick, who won 2 Super Bowl rings arsenic an adjunct earlier coaching the Patriots to six titles, fell abbreviated of the Hall of Fame’s 50-vote threshold. Long presumed a first-ballot Hall of Famer, Belichick’s omission raised questions astir however the votes fell.

Bill Polian, a erstwhile Indianapolis Colts wide manager and Hall of Fame inductee, recovered himself astatine the halfway of overmuch of the debate.

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Bill Polian issued a connection confirming his Hall of Fame ballot for Bill Belichick, denying a study that helium told chap voters the erstwhile NFL manager should wait. (Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

Polian initially said helium formed a ballot successful favour of the North Carolina shot coach, earlier saying helium could not accidental with 100% certainty whether helium did. In his latest effort to wide the air, Polian said helium did cheque the container adjacent to Belichick's name.

"I voted for manager Belichick successful the Hall of Fame enactment meeting," Polian said connected SiriusXM NFL Radio connected Wednesday arsenic helium work a prepared statement.

"The Pro Football Hall of Fame has confirmed that information done the auditors of the enactment process. Again, I’ll authorities that I ne'er said that I judge that Coach Belichick should quote, hold a year, adjacent quote, for enshrinement. This has been confirmed by the Pro Football Hall of Fame, galore selectors who were successful the room, and my ballot for manager Belichick."

Polian said helium has ever aimed to beryllium nonsubjective successful his voting.

FILE - New England Patriots caput manager Bill Belichick looks connected during the 2nd 4th against the Indianapolis Colts astatine Gillette Stadium connected Oct. 4, 2018. (Winslow Townson/USA TODAY Sports)

"As a Hall of Fame subordinate and selector, I recognize the import of what we do. I’ve ever tried arsenic a selector to marque these hard choices with the utmost of objectivity. I’ve said connected SiriusXM Radio and galore different media outlets that I judge Coach Belichick to beryllium a first-ballot Hall of Famer, my ballot confirms that."

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Polian referenced an ESPN report, citing sources who told the outlet the Super Bowl-winning wide manager was 1 of the voters who told others Belichick should "wait a year" earlier induction. In summation to Wednesday's statement, Polian besides told Sports Illustrated that the accusations were "totally and categorically untrue."

Bill Polian clarified helium voted successful favour of Bill Belichick's Hall of Fame induction, denying a study that helium told voters the erstwhile Patriots manager should endure a waiting period. (Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

"I was shocked to larn Bill didn't get in. He deserves to beryllium successful the Hall of Fame," Polian told ESPN.

ESPN reported that Belichick was "puzzled" and "disappointed" erstwhile helium learned helium was not accepted this twelvemonth and wondered what much helium had to bash arsenic a caput manager to get successful immediately.

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This twelvemonth — and for the archetypal clip — Longtime Patriots proprietor Robert Kraft was besides a hallway of fame finalist. It is unclear whether Kraft oregon immoderate different finalist were elected into the 2026 class.

Fox News' Ryan Morik contributed to this report.

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