HOF may soon take drastic action amid Bill Belichick controversy

Amid the backlash over the Bill Belichick snub, the Pro Football Hall of Fame is reminding voters that serving on the selection committee is a privilege, not a right. 

A story broke Tuesday that reported that former New England Patriots head coach Belichick (now HC of the North Carolina Tar Heels) didn't receive 40 of the 50 votes needed to make the cut in his first year on the ballot. On Wednesday, the HOF released a statement amid the controversy. It didn't name the coach, but it said if a voter violated bylaws, they would be removed from the selection committee.

The rules for HOF voters remain unclear. Per Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio, they're unavailable to the public. The full statement is attached below. 

Hall of Fame discusses why it may remove voters 

"The Pro Football Hall of Fame understands and respects the passionate reaction of many fans, media members and enshrinees of the Hall itself in light of published reports regarding the voting results for 2026. 

"It's that the very passion that propels the game. 

"The Hall also respects the members of the Selection Committee when they follow selection process bylaws. It is an honor to serve as a selector.

"Each year, the Hall reviews the Selection Process and the composition of the 50-person Selection Committee. If it is determined that any member(s) violated the selection process bylaws, they understand that action will be taken. 

"That could include the possibility that such selectors would not remain a member of the committee moving forward. 

"The selection of a new class is the most important duty the Hall of Fame oversees each year, and the integrity of that process cannot be in question."