Get the latest Boston sports news
Receive updates on your favorite Boston teams, straight from our newsroom to your inbox.
Report: Pro Football Hall of Fame confirms that Bill Polian voted for Bill Belichick
The former Colts GM was accused of telling voters they should wait a year to induct Belichick.
Former Colts GM Bill Polian made headlines with his comments about not being exactly sure whether or not he voted for Bill Belichick to make the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
On Thursday, in an unusual move, the Hall of Fame confirmed that Polian did vote for Belichick. Pro Football Hall of Fame votes are typically anonymous.
Belichick did not get the required 80 percent of committee votes for enshrinement. He would have needed forty out of the fifty votes to get in.
ESPN reported that two Patriots cheating scandals, Spygate and Deflategate, came up in the discussions around Belichick’s candidacy. They said that Polian told some voters that Belichick should “wait a year” as a punishment for Spygate.
Advertisement:
A spokesperson for the Hall of Fame told The Athletic that an auditing firm confirmed Polian voted for Belichick, Polian did not speak up when Belichick’s cadidacy was discussed, and Polian did not bring up the cheating scandals.
Polian said he was shocked that Belichick did not get in the Hall of Fame. He explained his vote while reading a written statement during an interview with Sirius XM.
“I voted for Coach Belichick in the Hall of Fame selection meeting,” Polian said. “The Pro Football Hall of Fame has confirmed that fact through the auditors of the selection process. Again, I’ll state that I never said that I believe that Coach Belichick should ‘wait a year’ for enshrinement. This has been confirmed by the Pro Football Hall of Fame, numerous selectors who were in the room, and my vote for Coach Belichick.”
Advertisement:
“As a Hall of Fame member and selector, I realize the import of what we do. I’ve always tried as a selector to make these difficult choices with the utmost objectivity. I’ve said on SiriusXM radio and numerous other media outlets that I believe Coach Belichick to be a first ballot Hall of Famer. My vote confirms that.”
The Pro Football Hall of Fame said in a statement that actions, such as removing a voter from the committee, could be taken if it is determined that bylaws were violated. Football performance is a key component for Hall of Fame voting decisions.
No coach has ever won more Super Bowls than Bill Belichick. He is second on that all-time regular-season wins list behind only Don Shula. The Patriots appeared in the Super Bowl in nine of his 24 seasons as head coach. New England won six of those.
The reported Belichick snub has captured attention across the sport and beyond. Robert Kraft made a statement. Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski have talked about it. Even LeBron James tweeted about it.
With such a polarizing issue at hand, it seems like one would be able to immediately recall how they voted. But, the Pro Football Hall of Fame felt the need to back up the 83-year-old former executive’s story.
Should Bill Belichick have been voted into the Hall of Fame?
To comment, please create a screen name in your profile
To comment, please verify your email address
Conversation
This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com