Tom Brady weighed in on the decision Wednesday morning during a guest appearance on Brock and Salk, a Seattle-based radio show. “I don’t understand it. If he’s not a first-ballot Hall of Famer, there’s really no coach that should ever be a first-ballot Hall of Famer,” Brady said.
According to the report, three coaches have been named first-ballot Hall of Famers in NFL history: Don Shula, Chuck Noll, and Tom Landry. Shula holds the most wins with 347, just 14 more than Belichick’s 333.
Brady underscored Belichick’s impact, adding: “He’s incredible. There’s no coach I’d rather play for. If I’m picking one coach to go out there and win a Super Bowl, give me one season, I’m picking Bill Belichick.”
The conversation also touched on the Hall of Fame voting process. Brady criticized how votes can be influenced by popularity, suggesting the process resembles an Oscar-like panel. An ESPN.com column by Don Van Natta Jr. and Seth Wickersham noted that Spygate and Deflategate were part of deliberations, including a voter recounting that former Colts GM Bill Polian urged some voters to “wait a year” as penance for the 2007 scandal.
Brady remains confident Belichick will eventually gain entry, potentially as soon as next year. The NFL Honors ceremony to announce the inductees is scheduled for February 5, with Belichick’s status continuing to be a focal point of discussion as the event approaches.
