Hall of Fame voter says he cannot remember if he checked Bill Belichick's name amid snub

The shot satellite was stunned connected Tuesday nighttime erstwhile it was initially reported that eight-time Super Bowl victor Bill Belichick was not voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame successful his archetypal twelvemonth of eligibility.

ESPN archetypal reported that Belichick would not beryllium going into the Hall of Fame this clip around. The outlet, citing sources, reported that Belichick was "puzzled" and "disappointed" with the determination and wondered what much helium had to bash arsenic a caput manager to get successful immediately.

However, the outlet besides reported that Spygate and Deflategate were points of contention and "bothered immoderate guys," starring immoderate to person different voters that Belichick should beryllium punished by waiting 1 twelvemonth to get in. The 2007 spying ungraded outgo the squad a first-round prime and $250,000, portion Belichick was fined $500,000. Deflategate resulted successful a four-game suspension for Tom Brady and $1 cardinal successful fines and went each the mode to U.S. courts.

Bill Polian speaks during the NFL Hall of Fame induction ceremonial astatine Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium connected Aug. 8, 2015 successful Canton, Ohio.  (Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

ESPN reported that Bill Polian, a rival wide manager during Belichick's New England Patriots years, was 1 of the voters who told others Belichick should "wait a year" earlier induction.

Polian denied that conception to ESPN and told Sports Illustrated that the accusations were "totally and categorically untrue."

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

Polian besides told SI that helium "voted for" Belichick, but ESPN said Polian told them helium could not retrieve with 100% certainty whether helium did.

New England Patriots caput manager Bill Belichick smiles arsenic helium walks disconnected the tract during an NFL shot grooming campy successful Foxborough, Massachusetts connected Wednesday, June 5, 2019.  (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

ESPN besides said Polian "heard his chap voters ‘float that idea’" of a one-year penance "but insisted helium didn't hold oregon disagree with the proposal."

The finalized database of Pro Football Hall of Fame inductees volition beryllium released up of Super Bowl LX. Belichick was among the candidates successful a abstracted radical from the modern-era players category, on with Ken Anderson, Roger Craig, L.C. Greenwood and Robert Kraft.

Six of Belichick's titles came arsenic caput manager of the Patriots, and the different 2 came arsenic the New York Giants' antiaircraft coordinator.

Belichick, presently the caput manager of the North Carolina Tar Heels, was 302-165 successful his vocation arsenic a caput manager with the Patriots and the Cleveland Browns. He and the Patriots mutually parted ways pursuing the 2023 run aft 24 seasons.

New England Patriots caput manager Bill Belichick announces helium is leaving the squad during a property league astatine Gillette Stadium successful Foxborough, Massachusetts, connected Jan. 11, 2024. (JOSEPH PREZIOSO/AFP via Getty Images)

He had a arguable extremity with some the Browns and the New York Jets. The Browns moved to Baltimore and became the Ravens nether the screen of darkness, leaving the entirety of the franchise successful the city. As helium was acceptable to instrumentality the Jets’ caput coaching job, helium resigned arsenic "HC of the NYJ" astatine his opening property league and decided to instrumentality the New England occupation instead.

Fox News' Ryan Gaydos contributed to this report.

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