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Reports that former New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick will not be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, in August sparked a strong reaction from around the sports world.
Belichick, who won two Super Bowl rings as an assistant before coaching the Patriots to six championships, fell short of the 50-vote threshold for the Hall of Fame. Long thought to be a first-ballot Hall of Famer, Belichick’s omission raised questions about how the votes fell.
Bill Polian, former general manager of the Indianapolis Colts and Hall of Fame inductee, found himself at the center of the debate.
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Bill Polian has released a statement confirming his Hall of Fame vote for Bill Belichick, denying a report that he told fellow voters that the former NFL coach should wait. (Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
Polian initially said he voted for the North Carolina football coach, before saying with 100% certainty that he did. In his latest attempt to clear the air, Polian said he checked the box next to Belichick’s name.
“I voted for coach Belichick in the Hall of Fame election,” Polian said on SiriusXM NFL Radio Wednesday as he read a prepared statement.
“The Pro Football Hall of Fame confirmed that fact through the auditors of the selection process. Again, I will say that I never said that I believe that coach Belichick should quote, wait a year, the closest quote, to be inducted. This was confirmed by the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the many voters that were in the room, and my vote for coach Belichick.”
Polian said he always intended to be objective in his voting.
FILE – New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick looks on during the second quarter against the Indianapolis Colts at Gillette Stadium on Oct. 4, 2018. (Winslow Townson/USA TODAY Sports)
“As a member of the Hall of Fame and a voter, I see the importance of what we do. I’ve always tried as a voter to make these tough decisions with great determination. I’ve said on SiriusXM Radio and many other media outlets that I believe Coach Belichick is a First Ballot Hall of Famer, my vote confirms that.”
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Polian spoke to an ESPN report, citing sources who told the outlet that the Super Bowl-winning general manager was one of the voters who told others that Belichick should “wait a year” before being installed. In addition to Wednesday’s statement, Polian also told Sports Illustrated that the accusation was “totally untrue.”
Bill Polian clarified that he voted for Bill Belichick’s Hall of Fame induction, denying a report that he told voters that the former Patriots coach should endure a waiting period. (Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)
“I was shocked when I heard that Bill didn’t get in. He deserves to be in the Hall of Fame,” Polian he told ESPN.
ESPN reported that Belichick was “confused” and “disappointed” when he learned he wasn’t accepted this year and wondered what else he should do as a head coach to get in quickly.
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This year – and for the first time – longtime Patriots owner Robert Kraft was also a hall of famer. It’s unclear whether Kraft or any other finalists were selected in the 2026 class.
Fox News’ Ryan Morik contributed to this report.
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