Vahe Gregorian Explains Bill Belichick Hall of Fame Vote Decision

Recent Hall of Fame voting has sparked significant debate, particularly regarding the omission of Bill Belichick from the final selections. At least 11 voters out of the 50-member panel did not include Belichick on their ballots, which followed a complicated selection process. Voters were required to select three candidates from a diverse list, which included several finalists who were not from the modern era.

Vahe Gregorian’s Vote Explained

Vahe Gregorian, a representative from the Kansas City Star, publicly shared his reasoning for excluding Belichick. In a detailed article, he clarified that if the voting process had been a straightforward yes-or-no vote for Belichick, he would have chosen to support the six-time Super Bowl champion.

Complex Voting Process

However, the current procedure required Gregorian, along with other voters, to narrow their choices down to three finalists. This list contained notable figures such as Robert Kraft, Ken Anderson, Roger Craig, and L.C. Greenwood, all deserving candidates in their own right. Gregorian ultimately decided to vote for Anderson, Craig, and Greenwood, whom he described as long-overdue inductees.

• Ken Anderson: 1981 MVP and four-time league leader in passer rating.
• Roger Craig: Pioneering running back with significant contributions to the game.
• L.C. Greenwood: Four-time Super Bowl champion and All-Decade player of the 1970s.

Gregorian expressed that he felt it was crucial to support the senior candidates, emphasizing the likelihood that they would not receive another opportunity for induction in the future. He viewed his vote as a means of rectifying their longstanding exclusion from the Hall of Fame.

The Voting Dilemma

This complex voting method has been criticized for removing the straightforward nature of past voting processes. Gregorian noted that the change led to confusion and complicated decision-making for voters. He implied that the alterations have negatively impacted how deserving players are evaluated, particularly in a contested field.

“Belichick is inevitable soon, as he should be,” Gregorian reflected, recognizing the irony in acknowledging the greatness of both Belichick and the senior candidates he selected. He hopes that future voting procedures might revert to a simpler format, allowing voters to express their choices more clearly.

Looking Towards the Future

As discussions continue regarding Hall of Fame voting, fans and analysts alike are calling for a reassessment of the current rules. There is a hope that by 2027, the voting process will be revised, allowing voters to honor deserving candidates like Belichick and others without the limitations imposed by the new structure.

As the conversation evolves, it remains clear that transparency regarding voter decisions will be vital for restoring confidence in the Hall of Fame selection process.