Patriots Owner Kraft, Coach Belichick Snubbed by Hall of Fame
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, along with former head coach Bill Belichick, has not been selected for this year’s Hall of Fame class. According to sources from ESPN, Kraft did not receive enough votes for inclusion this time.
Upcoming Hall of Fame Announcement
The new members of the Hall of Fame will be announced on Thursday night, just before the Super Bowl weekend. This year, Kraft’s absence from the Hall marks a significant moment in his career, especially as the Patriots prepare for the big game against the Seattle Seahawks.
An Illustrious Partnership
Kraft and Belichick were pivotal in creating one of the NFL’s most dominating dynasties. Their tenure together resulted in six Super Bowl victories over more than twenty years. If the Patriots triumph in the upcoming Super Bowl, it will mark Kraft’s first Super Bowl win without Belichick as head coach.
- Super Bowl Victories: 6
- Years Active Together: Over 20
- Patriots’ Chance to Surpass: Pittsburgh Steelers for most Super Bowl wins
Belichick and Kraft’s Hall of Fame Snub
Recently, it became known that Belichick also failed to gain Hall of Fame entry this year. Despite his incredible achievements, he reacted with surprise, questioning, “Six Super Bowls isn’t enough?”
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell expressed support for both Kraft and Belichick, asserting their contributions to the sport. He emphasized that the league does not determine Hall of Fame selections. “Bill Belichick’s record goes without saying, same with Robert Kraft,” Goodell stated.
Speculation Around Their Exclusion
There have been whispers regarding a possible link between their snubbing and past controversies like the Spygate and Deflategate scandals. Kraft’s nomination for the Hall of Fame first occurred in 2013, but this marked his first time as a finalist.
Kraft addressed rumors suggesting he influenced voters regarding Belichick’s candidacy. He maintained his belief in Belichick’s qualifications for the Hall of Fame. “Bill set the standard for on-field excellence and deserves to be a unanimous first-ballot Pro Football Hall of Famer,” Kraft stated in a recent comment.
In contrast, several other NFL owners, including Jerry Jones and Pat Bowlen, have successfully entered the Hall of Fame, raising questions about Kraft and Belichick’s oversight.
