'Insane ...': Patrick Mahomes leads reactions to Belichick missing first-ballot HOF nod

Eight-time Tremendous Bowl-winning coach Invoice Belichick isn’t a first-ballot Corridor of Famer, ESPN’s Don Van Natta Jr. and Seth Wickersham reported on Tuesday.

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Belichick didn’t obtain the bid after falling wanting the 40 out of fifty votes wanted for induction into the Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame in his first 12 months of eligibility.

The previous New England Patriots head coach has essentially the most Tremendous Bowl wins as a head coach (six), together with rating first in Tremendous Bowl appearances (9) and playoff wins (31) and second in wins (333). His NFL file of 333-178, together with the common and postseason, places him solely second behind Don Shula (347) for profession victories. He additionally received two championships as a defensive coordinator with the New York Giants.

A number of sources advised ESPN’s Van Natta and Wickersham that Spygate and Deflategate, a pair of dishonest scandals that occurred at completely different factors throughout the Patriots’ dynasty, got here up in deliberations amongst voters.

Nonetheless, Belichick’s adorned profession as an NFL head coach led to many followers and Corridor of Fame voters believing he was a first-ballot lock. As a substitute, he’ll have to attend till not less than subsequent 12 months to obtain the decision for Canton, Ohio.

In line with Van Natta and Wickersham, Belichick advised one affiliate: “Six Tremendous Bowls is not sufficient?” whereas he requested one other: “What does a man must do?”

Among the NFL’s largest names echoed Belichick’s ideas, because the sports activities world reacted promptly to the information.

Three-time Defensive Participant of the Yr J.J. Watt instantly expressed shock over Belichick not being a first-ballot inductee, and Kansas Metropolis Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes known as it “insane.”

Insane… do not even perceive how this could possibly be attainable https://t.co/EiKUeRPffn
— Patrick Mahomes II (@PatrickMahomes) January 27, 2026

I am unable to be studying this proper.
This must be some knock-off Corridor of Fame or one thing, it may possibly’t be the precise NFL Corridor of Fame.
There’s not a single world in any respect by which Invoice Belichick shouldn’t be a First-Poll Corridor of Famer. https://t.co/OXhL1Sd4FM
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) January 27, 2026

Man there is not any method I learn that proper! Proper? Ain’t no WAY Invoice Belichick ain’t 1st Poll HOF!! That is IMPOSSIBLE, EGREGIOUS, and fairly frankly DISRESPECTFUL!
— LeBron James (@KingJames) January 28, 2026

Generally I scratch my head when a candidate will get within the HOF, this time I am scratching my head on how an HOF candidate didn get in… https://t.co/KKqDlDvtXz
— Cam Jordan (@camjordan94) January 27, 2026

That is simply WRONG ..#2 successful ALL TIME…extra Tremendous Bowls than anybody unimaginable # of division championships…lot of small jealous voters https://t.co/Q4H5Qnz2L2
— Jimmy Johnson (@JimmyJohnson) January 27, 2026

Ridiculous. 🤬🤬🤬Could not have a greater resume! 🐐 https://t.co/J40rY6dNua
— Logan Ryan (@RealLoganRyan) January 27, 2026

The voters must not stay nameless anymore. We’d like a proof for why Invoice Belichick one of many biggest coaches ever of any stage of any sport with 8 SB’s isn’t a primary poll HOF’er……… No rationalization will probably be legitimate however I have to know. I am sorry man!! This insane!
— Gerald McCoy (@Geraldini93) January 27, 2026