A veteran sports journalist has stepped forward as one of the Pro Football Hall of Fame voters who did not include legendary coach Bill Belichick on their ballot, while simultaneously criticising the complex and controversial selection system that contributed to the snub.
The Voter's Public Admission
Vahe Gregorian of the Kansas City Star openly acknowledged being among those who excluded Belichick from their ballot for enshrinement in Canton, Ohio. In a detailed column explaining his reasoning, Gregorian wrote, 'It's hard to imagine a more accomplished candidate for the Hall of Fame' than the eight-time Super Bowl champion.
He further elaborated, 'His profile is such that you could make his case among Hall of Fame voters simply by saying his name. Certainly, it can reasonably be wondered what the meaning of a Hall of Fame that doesn't ultimately elect him is.'
The Flawed Voting System Explained
Gregorian revealed that Belichick's exclusion stems from what he describes as a 'bizarre voting process' that combines three distinct candidate categories into a single competitive pool. 'If the curious selection dynamics now in place allowed for a simple up-down vote on Belichick, as a selector I absolutely would have voted for him this year... But, alas, that's just not how the voting works,' Gregorian explained.
The process separates Belichick's candidacy from modern-era players, instead grouping coaching candidates with contributor candidates (in this case, Patriots owner Robert Kraft) and three senior players. This means Belichick, Kraft, and senior players all compete for just three votes each selector can cast, with each candidate requiring a minimum of 40 votes for induction.
Why Past Scandals Weren't a Factor
Gregorian specifically dismissed suggestions that Belichick's history with controversies like Deflategate and Spygate influenced his decision. 'The so-called “cheating stuff” is not at all the only possible explanation. Because it certainly didn’t ultimately influence my vote,' he stated clearly.
Instead, Gregorian revealed he voted for three senior players: Ken Anderson, Roger Craig, and L.C. Greenwood. 'In fact, I didn’t vote against Belichick or Kraft. I voted for the three senior candidates,' he clarified.
The Compelling Case for Senior Players
Gregorian provided detailed justifications for his selections, emphasising the deserving credentials of the senior candidates:
- Ken Anderson: The former Cincinnati Bengals quarterback won the 1981 MVP, Offensive Player of the Year, and Comeback Player of the Year awards, leading his team to their first Super Bowl appearance while earning multiple passing titles and Pro Bowl selections.
- Roger Craig: A member of the NFL's 1980s All-Decade Team, Craig won three Super Bowls with the San Francisco 49ers, earned the 1988 Offensive Player of the Year award, and led the league in receptions in 1985.
- L.C. Greenwood: Part of Pittsburgh's legendary 'Steel Curtain' defense, Greenwood won four Super Bowls, earned multiple All-Pro selections, and was named to the NFL's 1970s All-Decade Team.
The Systemic Problem with Senior Candidates
Gregorian explained his change of heart during the voting process. Initially planning to vote for Belichick and Craig, he reconsidered after hearing presentations about the senior candidates. 'As it came time to cast the vote, I found myself thinking not just of them but of the experiences of recent senior semifinalists and finalists who didn’t make it,' he wrote.
He highlighted the 'overwhelming' backlog of deserving senior players, noting that under the current system combining coaches, contributors, and senior candidates, only three of six senior nominees have reached the Hall in recent years. 'None of the three who were stopped short... resurfaced on the next year’s ballot,' Gregorian observed.
A Call for Systemic Change
Despite his voting decision, Gregorian expressed strong support for Belichick's eventual induction while calling for reform. 'Meanwhile, Belichick is inevitable soon … as he should be. At the risk of contradicting my own vote, really, he shouldn’t even have to wait,' he acknowledged.
He concluded, 'In the end, though, I felt more compelled by what I perceive to be last chances and looming lost causes within the system as we have it — a system I hope the Hall will see fit to change now.'
Reactions to Belichick's Snub
The decision has drawn significant criticism from across the football world. Both Tom Brady, who spent two decades as Belichick's quarterback in New England, and Robert Kraft have publicly criticised voters and advocated for the coach's induction. The current University of North Carolina football coach will now have to wait for another opportunity to be voted into the Hall of Fame.
Gregorian emphasised that none of the fifty Hall of Fame voters were aware of the final results, making the news of Belichick's exclusion particularly surprising when revealed by multiple media outlets.
