Hall Of Fame Voter Reveals Why He Snubbed Bill Belichick For His Boss As Coach Is Left 'Disappointed'

Bill Belichick's omission from the 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame class has left many shocked, but one voter has come forward to defend his decision to skip the veteran coach.

Mike Chappell, one of the 50 selectors who cast a vote, revealed that he chose to skip Belichick in favor of the coach's former boss, Robert Kraft.

The FOX59/CBS4 sports reporter said that while Bill Belichick's legacy is indisputable, Kraft had a greater impact working behind the scenes to help build the NFL into what it is today.

In a column posted on Thursday, Chappell detailed his reason behind not voting for Belichick to be inducted into the 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame.

According to the sports reporter, he used up two of his three votes selecting other senior candidates and was left with picking between Belichick and his then-boss, New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft.

While he ultimately went for Kraft, he said he still doesn't see his choice as a vote against Belichick despite the appearance it gives.

"As one of 50 selectors, I voted FOR Robert Kraft, the long-time and accomplished New England Patriots owner," Chappell penned, as reported by Fox59 News. "I did not vote AGAINST Bill Belichick, the long-time and accomplished head coach of that dynasty."

The media personality added, "I realize that's a difference without a distinction, but I'm comfortable with my decision."

Explaining why he went Kraft's way instead of voting for Belichick, who won six Super Bowls while coaching the Patriots, Chappell revealed that Kraft's behind-the-scenes work in the NFL held more value to him.

"Kraft's role in building the Patriots dynasty beginning in 1994 AND his undeniable role in helping negotiate the end of the 100-play-day work stoppage in 2011 — while his wife was gravely ill — that has resulted in long-standing labor peace," Chappell remarked.

The journalist went on to highlight how Kraft is consistently advocating for policies and deals designed to increase television earnings and, in turn, boost revenue for NFL teams.

"He's also been involved behind the scenes in bolstering the NFL's ever-increasing TV revenue," Chappell added.

Elsewhere in the column, Chappell offered additional insight into factors that influenced his own decision and likely swayed the other 10 voters who chose not to vote for Belichick.

He stated that during the meetings discussing their votes, Belichick's coaching scandal, Spygate, came up. The controversy involved the Patriots being caught illegally videotaping the defensive signals of opposing teams during games.

"There's no erasing the stain of Spygate from his bio," Chappell said about the scandal. "This wasn't alleged behavior. The NFL fined Belichick $500,000 — the maximum allowed — along with docking the Patriots $250,000 and a first-round draft pick for illegally videotaping New York Jets signals in 2007."

Still, Chappell believes it's not the end for Belichick and expects that he will likely be inducted into the Hall of Fame in the next class.

"This year's decision in no way insinuates Belichick isn't Hall of Fame-worthy," the veteran journalist further remarked. "Of course he is. I believe he makes it next year. Will that mean his gold jacket isn't as bold had he been selected in his first year of eligibility? Of course not."

In the meantime, Belichick was reportedly left "puzzled" and "disappointed" by the decision to pass over his induction, as he had seemingly expected to be selected in his first year of eligibility.

He is also said to have expressed his displeasure to associates after learning of the outcome.

"Six Super Bowls isn't enough?" Belichick allegedly said in a rant to an associate, according to ESPN.

The legendary coach reportedly asked another colleague, "What does a guy have to do?"

Unsurprisingly, several other sports superstars and journalists were shocked by the decision and expressed their disbelief on social media.

"Insane… don't even understand how this could be possible," NFL star Patrick Mahomes wrote on X.

"Man, there's no way I read that right! Right?" basketball star LeBron James asked about the Bill Belichick snub, per The Blast.

LeBron continued, "Ain't no WAY Bill Belichick ain't 1st Ballot HOF!! That's IMPOSSIBLE, EGREGIOUS, and quite frankly DISRESPECTFUL."