NFL Hall of Fame Misses the Mark

Hall Of Fame discussion has really become a massive hobby of mine over the past decade.

I guess as you get older, you gain more perspective and develop even more appreciation for the stuff you have watched over the years.

This weekend, the Pro Football Hall Of Fame will unveil its class of 2026.

That class will NOT include legendary Patriots coach Bill Belichick and two time Super Bowl winning quarterback Eli Manning.

Talk about amateur hour. 

Let’s start with Belichick.

It’s almost impossible to get anyone in this country to agree on anything in 2026.

I can’t think of a moment of more unity in the sports world than the disgust expressed by almost everyone across the board that Bill Belichick is not a first ballot Hall Of Famer.

Explain this to me. Bill Belichick has a resume with six Super Bowl victories and nine appearances as a head coach.

If he is not a first ballot Hall Of Famer, who is exactly?

The narrative of spy gate or deflated footballs interfering with 20 plus years of excellence on the field is simply nonsense. 

According to most reports, former Colts GM Bill Polian was the ring leader in preventing Belichick from getting in on the first ballot.

Talk about sour grapes and absolute stupidity.

That’s what this decision reeks of.

The Eli Manning case is not as clear cut as Belichick’s.

That said, Eli has waited his turn.

And on this week of Super Bowl nostalgia, I remind all of you.

Eli Manning beat Tom Brady and Bill Belichick twice on sport’s biggest stage.

Eli Manning delivered one of the best throws in the history of the Super Bowl to Mario Manningham.

He too deserves his place in Canton.

Two omissions, one way more obvious than the other.

A Hall Of Fame committee that drastically missed the mark.

You can listen to my podcast New York, New York every Sunday & Thursday on The Ringer Podcast Network on Spotify/Apple Podcasts. You can watch me nightly on Honda Sports Nite at 11 PM on SNY.