Snubbed
Somehow the news always makes its way out. “Sources” have confirmed that arguably the greatest coach in the National Football League will not be inducted into the Football Hall of Fame(HOF) during his first year of eligibility. Bill Belichick has been “snubbed” by the 50 member committee. He did not receive the required 40 votes to be one of the new members of the HOF. The news spread like wildfire with too many to count players, pundits, and commentators weighing in on the news. In the days that have followed, news has come out that he missed it by one vote. To many, the snub is atrocious and unconscionable. Others immediately blamed the infamous Spygate scandal and theorized the snub acted as punishment for it. Whatever the reason, he will be absent the HOF Enshrinement Ceremony this year. He will have to wait another year.
What happened is certainly not a question of credentials. Plenty of players are in the HOF without really performing to the highest level. Unfortunately, far too many of us can relate to things becoming a popularity contest over anything else. Now, that in no way is meant to question those who did receive the votes this year. It is just a reality in the world today. Admittedly, I am biased. I have followed and rooted for the Patriots for more than 20 years. Nearly 30. I have a “Belichicked” hoodie I wear to work in the garage. I have used the phrase, “Do Your Job” as a mantra more times than I can count. I cheered any time I got to watch him pull the red challenge flag out of his sock. If I ever find myself having to deal with press conferences I will conduct myself like him. He was/is a football genius. He owns 8 Super Bowl Championship rings, one more than Tom by the way. Second winningest coach in career football victories. The sheer dominance of his Patriot teams through the 2000’s is legendary. It is not a question of his success, or accolades. His resume casts no doubt. But even the greatest have failures - chinks in the armor so to say. Smaug had his missing scale.
The rulebook, at times, had a way of being stretched, manipulated, and massaged. Most notably, the Spygate scandal has been named by many as a reason for the snub. Some want to include Deflategate, but that was a largely made up issue that held no real impact on the game and it was largely a Tom Brady thing. So, if the HOF voters held Belichick out because of Spygate will they hold Brady out because of Deflategate?! Time will tell. It can be widely agreed that the HOF will not be complete without the pair. In the world of professional sports, how many HOF members would be disqualified if they were to be scrutinized over their respect of the rulebook? And, for blunt honest hypocrisy, I fully believe Bonds should not be Cooperstown and the home run record should be taken away.
Perhaps, this situation will spur a deep look at the HOF process and its shortcomings. A few very brave committee members have been open about their thinking in not voting for him. One said that his decision was not a move against Belichick, or in punishment, but a desire to see possible last chance candidates make it into the HOF under the firm belief that Bill would be in by the others, or next year. Another declared that he chose to vote for Kraft, who had unfairly been left out of finalist status for too many years. On a side note, why Jerry Jones is in the HOF over Robert Kraft shows that there is deep deep sin pervasive in the world. That vote was not against Belichick for any reason, but a desire to see a deserving owner make it. All of it is a consequence of the limitations in the HOF voting process. Voters had 5 options that were a mix of players, coaches, and contributors. Voters were only allowed to select 3 out of the 5. The system itself created a limitation that forced undue decisions. Maybe it is time for an overhaul. Maybe they should stick the course. Who knows?! For now, the prognosticators will prognosticate and I am on to Cincinnati.