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.
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.
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.
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
49ers free agency: Kendrick Bourne's projected market value
In 2025, the San Francisco 49ers reunited with a familiar face, bringing back veteran wide receiver Kendrick Bourne to stabilize the receiving corps amid early-season injuries. Now, with NFL free agency approaching, the 49ers must determine whether Bourne fits into their... -
49ers Free Agency: Exploring the Impact of Signing a Future Hall of Fame Wide Receiver
The San Francisco 49ers have consistently been NFC contenders, but one area that has plagued the team is the lack of a true outside and downfield wide receiver threat since the Brandon Aiyuk injury, followed by his Houdini act. As free agency approaches, speculation is... -
49ers salary cap reality: After Brock Purdy's deal, Jauan Jennings is the next big decision
Just a short time ago, how much the 49ers should be willing to pay quarterback Brock Purdy was the topic everyone from TV pundits to bloggers to journalists to regular fans was talking about. Purdy has always attracted a lot of haters in those constituencies, but their... -
49ers Face Pivotal Decision on Trent Williams
Despite having firmly entered the twilight of his career, Trent Williams remains one of the NFL's premier offensive tackles. His consistent All-Pro-caliber play is vital to the 49ers' offensive success, with his protection of quarterback Brock Purdy's blind side being a...