Bill Belichick has four-word response to shocking Hall of Fame snub

The football world was stunned to learn this past winter that former New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick would not be a first-ballot Hall of Fame selection after he did not receive the required votes to earn the honor. 

During the latest edition of the "Hang Out with Sean Hannity" program that dropped on Tuesday, Belichick addressed the Hall of Fame snub that angered analysts and many of his former players. 

Bill Belichick: Hall of Fame snub is "out of my control"

"Well, out of my control," Belichick said, per Nora Moriarty of Fox News. "Honestly, I've been very focused on my job at the University of North Carolina and the players, and the university there. So, you know, whatever happens, happens."

The current North Carolina football coach and quarterback Tom Brady famously guided the Patriots to six Super Bowl championships from 2000 through the 2019 season. While Belichick is widely regarded as one of the greatest coaches in the history of the sport, his involvement in the "Spygate" and "Deflategate" scandals was reportedly mentioned during discussions among Hall of Fame voters. 

Before Belichick became a living legend for his work with the Patriots, he earned a pair of Super Bowl rings while serving as the New York Giants' defensive coordinator. 

"I'm proud of what we accomplished as a team at New England and certainly at the Giants and proud of those relationships, so that's what matters most," Belichick added about not becoming a first-ballot Hall of Famer. 

Bill Belichick responds to support he received after Hall of Fame snub

Brady, Patriots owner Robert Kraft and others associated with the franchise voiced their support for Belichick after the voters' decision went public. Patriots icon Vince Wilfork referred to the Belichick Hall of Fame snub as "a personal attack." 

"It's great to hear that support from so many people and from so many different fields, not just football, but you know, many others," Belichick told Hannity. "And so, I was very appreciative of that support and, you know, the positive comments that they made."

Belichick added that one would "have to ask the voters" why he won't be honored as a member of the 2026 Hall of Fame class. Meanwhile, some have wondered if Brady's involvement in "Deflategate" will be discussed by voters when he becomes eligible for Hall induction in 2028.