Hall of Fame voter chose Patriots owner Robert Kraft over Bill Belichick
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Another Pro Football Hall of Fame voter who did not mark Bill Belichick’s name for the Class of 2026 has stepped forward and announced his selection.
He also chose New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft over Belichick.
FOX59/CBS4 Sports reporter Mike Chappell, who has covered the Indianapolis Colts for more than 40 years, became the second voter to explain why he did not vote for Belichick in his column published this week.
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Former New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick spoke to the media at Gillette Stadium about his departure. (Boston Globe via John Tlumacki/Getty Images)
Vahe Gregorian of the Kansas City Star was the first to do so and also wrote a column.
Like Gregorian, Chappell noted that having to pick no more than three names from a five-man group consisting of Belichick, Kraft and three veterans made the job difficult. Chappell selected two of the senior candidates who he believed were their last chance to enter the hallowed halls of Canton.
So that left Kraft and Belichick. He chose the first one.
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“As one of the 50 electors, I voted for Robert Kraft, the successful long-time owner of the New England Patriots,” Chappell said. he wrote in his own column. “I did not vote against Bill Belichick, the long-time and successful head coach of that dynasty. I realize it’s a distinction without distinction, but I’m happy with my decision.”
Chappell went on to explain why he believes Kraft deserves this year’s class over Belichick.
“Kraft’s role in building the Patriots dynasty starting in 1994 AND his undeniable role in helping negotiate the end of a 100-game-day work stoppage in 2011 — while his wife was gravely ill — resulted in a long-standing labor peace,” Chappell wrote. “He has also been involved behind the scenes supporting the NFL’s ever-growing TV revenue.”
Belichick’s involvement with the Patriots during the infamous Spygate and Deflategate scandals reportedly factored into his failure to become a first-ballot Hall of Famer.
According to Chappell, Spygate played a role in his decision.
Then-New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick during the second half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, Oct. 8, 2023, in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer, File)
“It is impossible to erase the stain of Spygate from his biography,” he wrote. “This was not alleged conduct. The NFL fined Belichick $500,000 (the maximum allowed), plus a $250,000 forfeiture to the Patriots and a first-round draft pick for illegally videotaping New York Jets signals in 2007.”
Chappell believes Belichick will be a Hall of Famer, but he faces a tough choice in his eyes.
“This year’s decision in no way means Belichick is unworthy of the Hall of Fame,” Chappell wrote. “Of course he is. I believe that he will be successful next year as well. Does that mean that his golden jacket is not as brave as the one he was elected in the first year he was elected? Of course not.”
To Chappell’s last point, others have commented to the contrary, saying the Hall of Fame’s integrity is diminished because Belichick, who has six Super Bowls and two for the second-most wins as a coach of all time, has a first-ballot resume as a coordinator with the New York Giants.
Former NFL quarterback and current ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky went so far as to say the Hall of Famer should correct his decision.
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick announced his departure from the team during a press conference at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, on January 11, 2024. (JOSEPH PREZIOSO/AFP)
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“There’s not a single person who has put forth a legitimate reason why Coach Belichick shouldn’t be in the Hall of Fame on the first ballot,” Orlosky said Thursday on ESPN’s “First Take,” according to Awful Announcing. “This is a huge deal. Unless someone does this, why would the Hall of Fame step back and say, ‘You know what? We reconsidered. Everyone brings up a lot of good points. The process is an imperfect process. Let’s make sure we do this the right way.’ “Don’t say it.” Because the right thing to do is to induct him into the Hall of Fame on the first ballot. I understand that everyone is in turmoil saying, ‘No, you can’t go back.’ Vote.’ Why not? Why can’t the Hall of Fame do the right thing and recognize the terrible mistake that was made?”
Others shared their displeasure with what happened, including Tom Brady, Patrick Mahomes, JJ Watt and Kraft, who called Belichick the “greatest coach of all time.”
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