Ex-NFL GM Bill Polian confirms Belichick Hall of Fame vote, denying reports
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
News that former New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick will not be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, in August sparked harsh reactions in the sports world.
Belichick, who won two Super Bowl rings as an assistant before coaching the Patriots to six championships, failed to clear the Hall of Fame’s 50-vote threshold. The omission of Belichick, a long-presumed Hall of Famer on the first ballot, raised questions about how the votes fell.
Bill Polian, former general manager of the Indianapolis Colts and Hall of Famer, has found himself at the center of much of the controversy.
CLICK HERE TO GET MORE SPORTS NEWS ON FOXNEWS.COM
Bill Polian released a statement confirming the Hall of Famer’s vote for Bill Belichick and denied a report that he told fellow voters the former NFL coach should wait. (Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
Polian initially said he voted in favor of the North Carolina football coach, then said he couldn’t say with 100% certainty whether he did so. Polian said he checked the box next to Belichick’s name in his last attempt to clarify the issue.
“I voted for coach Belichick at the Hall of Fame selection meeting,” Polian said Wednesday on SiriusXM NFL Radio, reading a prepared statement.
“The Pro Football Hall of Fame confirmed this fact through the auditors of the selection process. Again, I never said that I believed Coach Belichick should be cited for enshrinement, wait a year, close quote. This was confirmed by the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the numerous selectors in the room, and my vote for coach Belichick.”
Polian said that he always aims to be objective when voting.
FILE – New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick watches the game during the second quarter against the Indianapolis Colts at Gillette Stadium on October 4, 2018. (Winslow Townson/USA TODAY Sports)
“As a Hall of Famer and selector, I recognize the importance of the work we do. As a selector, I have always sought to make these difficult choices with the utmost objectivity. I have said on SiriusXM Radio and many other media outlets that I believe Coach Belichick will be a first-ballot Hall of Famer, and my vote confirms that.”
PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME WARNED VOTERS AGAINST BILL BELICHICK’S SNUB ABUSE
Polian cited an ESPN report quoting sources who said the Super Bowl-winning general manager was among the voters who told others Belichick should “wait a year” before taking the job. In addition to Wednesday’s statement, Polian also said: Sports Illustrated that the accusations were “completely and categorically false.”
Bill Polian announced he voted in favor of inducting Bill Belichick into the Hall of Fame, denying a report that he told voters the former Patriots coach should endure a waiting period. (Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)
“I was shocked to find out Bill didn’t get in. He deserves to be in the Hall of Fame,” Polian said. he told ESPN.
ESPN reported that Belichick was “surprised” and “disappointed” to learn he wasn’t accepted this year and wondered what more he needed to do to get in right away as a head coach.
CLICK TO REACH THE FOX NEWS APPLICATION
This year — and for the first time — Longtime Patriots owner Robert Kraft was also named a hall of fame finalist. It’s unclear whether Kraft or any other finalists have been selected for the 2026 class.
Fox News’ Ryan Morik contributed to this report.
Follow Fox News Digital Sports streaming on Xand subscribe Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
