Patriots owner Robert Kraft says Bill Belichick 'unequivocally deserves' to be first-ballot Hall of Famer

New England Patriots proprietor Robert Kraft’s narration with Bill Belichick whitethorn person deteriorated toward the extremity of the coach’s 23-year tenure, but the longtime proprietor is with the masses who consciousness helium should beryllium a first-ballot Hall of Famer.

Shock is an understatement for however the shot satellite reacted to reports that Belichick didn’t get the indispensable votes to participate the Pro Football Hall of Fame connected his archetypal try.

Kraft was among those, saying Belichick "unequivocally" should beryllium heading to Canton.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

New England Patriots erstwhile manager Bill Belichick looks connected arsenic proprietor Robert Kraft addresses the media astatine Gillette Stadium astir Belichick's departure. (John Tlumacki/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)

"Whatever perceptions whitethorn beryllium astir immoderate idiosyncratic differences betwixt Bill and me, I powerfully judge Bill Belichick’s grounds and assemblage of enactment talk for themselves," Kraft said successful a statement.

"As caput manager of the New England Patriots for much than 2 decades, helium acceptable the modular for on-field excellence, mentation and sustained occurrence successful the escaped bureau and wage headdress epoch of The National Football League. He is the top manager of each time, and helium unequivocally deserves to beryllium a unanimous first-ballot Pro Football Hall of Famer."

Prominent figures successful football, including Kraft’s and Belichick’s crown jewel, backmost Tom Brady, had thing to accidental astir the manager with the second-most wins each clip and six Super Bowl rings not being elected.

TOM BRADY PERPLEXED OVER BILL BELICHICK FAILING TO MAKE HALL OF FAME ON FIRST BALLOT

"I don’t recognize it," Brady said connected Seattle Sports 710-AM. "If he’s not a first-ballot Hall of Fame, there’s truly nary manager that should ever beryllium a first-ballot Hall of Fame, which is wholly ridiculous due to the fact that radical merit it."

Kansas City Chiefs large Patrick Mahomes, who went against Belichick’s Patriots successful his career, added it was "insane" to spot the news.

"Don’t adjacent recognize however this could beryllium possible," Mahomes responded connected X to ESPN’s Adam Schefter’s station astir the quality Belichick fell abbreviated of the 40 retired of 50 votes needed for induction successful his archetypal twelvemonth of eligibility.

New England Patriots proprietor Robert Kraft smiles earlier a crippled against the Tennessee Titans astatine Nissan Stadium successful Nashville, Tenn., connected Oct. 19, 2025. (Kara Durrette/Getty Images)

ESPN reported that Belichick, who received the quality past Friday that helium didn’t marque the cut, asked an associate, "Six Super Bowls isn’t enough?"

"What does a feline person to do?" helium reportedly added.

ESPN added that Belichick, who besides won 2 Super Bowls during his clip arsenic antiaircraft coordinator of the New York Giants, was "puzzled" and "disappointed" helium didn’t unafraid astatine slightest 80% of votes from the Hall’s committee members.

"Politics kept him out. He doesn't judge this is simply a reflection connected his accomplishments," a root told the outlet.

Belichick owns the second-most wins by a caput manager successful NFL history, going 333-178, including the playoffs. He is 2nd lone to the large Don Shula, the Hall of Famer who has 347 victories.

It is Belichick’s way grounds starring a dynasty successful New England that had galore believing determination was nary mode helium would marque it past the archetypal ballot.

ESPN reported that the infamous Spygate and Deflategate scandals involving the Patriots during Belichick’s clip successful complaint did travel up during deliberations astir whether to ballot him into Canton.

New England Patriots erstwhile caput manager Bill Belichick addressed the media astatine Gillette Stadium astir his departure. (John Tlumacki/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Kraft is besides a finalist for the Hall of Fame arsenic a contributor, and he’s considered a beardown campaigner to participate immortality successful Canton. However, immoderate speculate, if Belichick isn’t in, volition Kraft besides not marque it?

The narration betwixt the proprietor and caput manager soured toward the extremity of the Patriots' dynasty with Belichick astatine the helm. The handling of Brady’s exit, erstwhile helium chose the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and won a Super Bowl successful his archetypal play extracurricular of Foxborough, and nationalist statements astir recognition for occurrence led to large headlines connected Belichick’s mode retired earlier the 2024 season.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports sum connected X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.