San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Kendrick Bourne is not alone in his surprise over former New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick failing to earn first-ballot induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
On Tuesday, ESPN insider Adam Schefter reported that Belichick—an eight-time Super Bowl champion, including six titles as a head coach and two as an assistant—fell short of the required 40 out of 50 votes needed for induction this year.
Bill Belichick, the 8-time Super Bowl-winning HC, is not a first-ballot Hall of Famer, per @SethWickersham and @DVNJr. Belichick fell short of the 40 out of 50 votes needed for induction to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.https://t.co/ooJutI0C0Q
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 27, 2026
Bourne, who played three seasons under Belichick in New England, echoed the shock felt across much of the NFL community. The veteran wideout rejoined the 49ers—the team that gave him his NFL start—after Week 1 of the 2025 season and reacted to the news on social media.
Yea they trippin https://t.co/RUwAqn7Irk
— Kendrick Bourne Poly (@KendrickBourne_) January 27, 2026
Belichick, widely regarded as one of the greatest head coaches in NFL history, was viewed by many as a lock to be a first-ballot Hall of Famer. In addition to his eight Super Bowl championships, he holds the record for most playoff wins by a head coach, with 31.
The decision to leave Belichick out of this year's Hall of Fame class has drawn widespread criticism from current and former players, coaches, and media members across the league, fueling debate about the selection process.
I can't be reading this right.
This has to be some knock-off Hall of Fame or something, it can't be the actual NFL Hall of Fame.
There is not a single world whatsoever in which Bill Belichick should not be a First-Ballot Hall of Famer. https://t.co/OXhL1Sd4FM
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) January 27, 2026
Great scoop by Seth and Don... and an utter embarrassment for the Hall of Fame. And I say that as someone who is not on good terms (to put it lightly) with the candidate in question. But... come on, man. What are we doing? https://t.co/6IdnTRsUPj
— Michael Silver (@MikeSilver) January 27, 2026
Text from an NFL executive: "The 10+ people that didn't vote for BB should be exposed. WTF. This is crazy." https://t.co/aJDBvaNSGF
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 27, 2026
Regardless of your opinion of Bill Belichick, him not being a first ballot Hall of Famer is a disgrace — and a direct indictment on the Hall of Fame itself.
Just an absolute joke. pic.twitter.com/TBuyVnbZAg
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) January 27, 2026
Insane… don't even understand how this could be possible https://t.co/EiKUeRPffn
— Patrick Mahomes II (@PatrickMahomes) January 27, 2026
Wild part of the Belichick / Hall of Fame news is how much reverance and respect he has (had?) for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, itself. He's spoken about going to Canton on visits with his father when he got the Cleveland job. There's perhaps no greater student of NFL History.
— Peter Schrager (@PSchrags) January 27, 2026