Patrick Mahomes spoke out after legendary coach Invoice Belichick fell wanting being a first-ballot NFL Corridor of Famer.
“Insane… don’t even perceive how this may very well be attainable,” Mahomes, 30, posted by way of X on Tuesday, January 27.
The Kansas Metropolis Chiefs quarterback was responding to a submit from ESPN’s Adam Schefter, who reported that Belichick, 73, didn’t obtain the required 40 out of fifty votes to be able to make the Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame throughout his first yr of eligibility.
Belichick obtained a name from a Corridor of Fame consultant on Friday, January 23, informing him he was not a part of the 2026 class this summer season, in line with Schefter.
“The Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame doesn’t touch upon the voting of the Choice Committee and awaits the disclosing of the Class of 2026 at NFL Honors on Feb. 5 in San Francisco,” a spokesperson for the Corridor of Fame informed ESPN in an announcement.
Regardless of the perceived snub, Belichick — who received six Tremendous Bowls throughout his tenure as head coach of the Patriots from 2000 to 2023 — will nonetheless be eligible for induction in coming years.
The Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame’s Choice Committee consists of 1 media consultant from every professional soccer metropolis, with two every from Los Angeles and New York. A thirty third member is a consultant of the Professional Soccer Writers of America.
The committee additionally consists of as much as 17 at-large delegates, which this yr included former NFL coach and NBC Sports activities analyst Tony Dungy, Monday Evening Soccer sideline reporter Lisa Salters and former NFL government Invoice Polian.
Voters met from 10 a.m. to six p.m. on January 13 to debate this yr’s class, per ESPN.
A number of sources informed ESPN that Spygate and Deflategate, the dishonest scandals that tainted Belichick’s time in New England, each got here up in deliberations.
Mahomes’ response to Belichick’s snub joined a refrain of shocked responses from the sports activities world.
Future Naismith Memorial Basketball Corridor of Famer LeBron James wrote by way of X, “Man there’s no method I learn that proper! Proper? Ain’t no WAY Invoice Belichick ain’t 1st Poll HOF!! That’s IMPOSSIBLE, EGREGIOUS, and fairly frankly DISRESPECTFUL!”
“Holy f***! … I’m very, very stunned,” veteran NFL reporter Peter King informed ESPN. “A whole lot of issues occur in that room which can be sudden. And naturally this can be a huge shock to me.”
Invoice Belichick and New England Patriots proprietor Robert Kraft cast a historic partnership within the NFL earlier than their relationship devolved into public mudslinging. Belichick coached the Patriots to 6 Tremendous Bowl championships between 2002 and 2019. The coach introduced in January 2024 that he’d reached a mutual determination with Kraft to depart the crew, regardless of […]
NFL insider Jordan Schultz posted by way of X, “No matter your opinion of Invoice Belichick, him not being a primary poll Corridor of Famer is a shame — and a direct indictment on the Corridor of Fame itself. Simply an absolute joke.”
CBS Sports activities NFL reporter John Breech argued Belichick not receiving the required votes ought to result in an overhaul of all the choice committee.
“Invoice Belichick shouldn’t simply be within the Corridor of Fame, he also needs to in all probability be answerable for the choice committee any more,” Breech posted by way of X. “Not many individuals on earth recognize the historical past of soccer greater than him.”
In the meantime, NFL teaching legend Jimmy Johnson — who was chosen into the Corridor of Fame in 2020 — took a extra succinct strategy on social media, calling anyone who didn’t vote for Belichick an “asshole.”
