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.
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