The Weird, Wacky and Awesome World of the NFL - General Banter thread V3

eagle eye · 30-01-2026 01:50AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124191424#Comment_124191424

They only did it once.

And many, current at the time and former, head coaches said they did it. But for some reason Goodell, a former Jet, decided to single out the Patriots. It gained lots of traction because who doesn't love to dump on a dynasty.

I've been watching ESPN for the last couple of days and the majority of the big shows are spending most of their shows talking about Belichick and the HOF. And they are all up in arms over it. And a few have said they believe Kraft is behind.

They ask the question why a man, Polian who has been calling for years to have Kraft in the hall would have a problem with Belichick getting in. That would be quite hypocritical.

Two of them said that Kraft wanted his day in Canton without Belichick.

Also some very notable enshrinees have said wont be attending the awards this year and called it a complete joke.

What has now happened is the HOF has made a statement obviously because of the uproar and the multitude of pundits and enshrinees saying this makes the hall unimportant.

The statement,

"The Pro Football Hall of Fame understands and respects the passionate reaction of many fans, media members and enshrinees of the Hall itself in light of published reports regarding the voting results for the Class of 2026," the Hall said. "It's that very passion that propels the game. The Hall also respects the members of the Selection Committee when they follow the selection process bylaws. It is an honor to serve as a selector.

"Each year, the Hall reviews the selection process and the composition of the 50-person Selection Committee. If it is determined that any member(s) violated the selection
process bylaws, they understand action will be taken. That could include the possibility that such selector(s) would not remain a member of the committee moving forward.

"The selection of a new class is the most important duty the Hall of Fame oversees each year, and the integrity of that process cannot be in question."

One of things they are definitely is that the non-inclusion of Belichick. What else they've said is that if people didn't vote according to the rules that he will be sanctioned. One voter already said he didn't vote for Belichick because he was sure he'd get in so decided to vote for others who were in their last year of eligibility. That's a breach of the voting rules.

I expect that they'll find reasons to put Belichick in this year.

The_Honeybadger · 30-01-2026 08:36AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124191630#Comment_124191630

We will see what happens. That tactical voting has always been a feature, voters have spoken openly about it, and it is ridiculous behaviour I think we both agree.

Sometimes a change is brought about by cases like this.

The_Kew_Tour · 31-01-2026 01:31PM

Its spygate (the 2 of them) is the reason for his inclusion set back for a year

Funny though that all the peolle who called Patriots cheats for years are now the ones outraged also.

eagle eye · 31-01-2026 07:31PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124194770#Comment_124194770

Spygate was one game and it wasn't as big of a deal as it was made to be. It was just recording from the wrong place. Lots of people know nothing about it. Goodell, a former Jet, backed the Jets complaint and made a big deal out if it.

Our six Superbowls did not happen around spygate or the other stupid one.

A coach who won six Superbowls should be in automatically regardless of anything else.

Tell me why Kraft is going to get in before Belichick?

The_Kew_Tour · 31-01-2026 11:49PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124195563#Comment_124195563

Im not disagreeing, im saying its the reason he did not get it in 2026.

Every trusted media journalist has said it.

Be ineresting to see what happens next year.

eagle eye · 02-02-2026 01:53PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124196674#Comment_124196674

I put up the statement by the Hall which was very odd. It sounds like they might kick out some of the voters. I just have this feeling they are going to do something never done before to put Belichick in this year.

When a huge amount of journalists are saying it demeans the Hall and makes it a joke and less important that's something they have to try and fix and I think the only way is to get Belichick in.

It's not the first time this has happened, TO not being first ballot was disgraceful but even that pales into insignificance when compared to this.

There's something alike in both of them and that's their relationship with the media. That should have nothing to do with HOF voting but you've got to suspect it is being considered by some voters.

eagle eye · 03-02-2026 07:00PM

Kraft is not getting into the HoF this year. I'm thrilled about that.

eagle eye · 05-02-2026 02:02AM

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eagle eye · 05-02-2026 02:03AM

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Liamalone · 05-02-2026 02:44AM

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eagle eye · 05-02-2026 11:25AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124196674#Comment_124196674

Every trusted media journalist? 99% of them are furious he didn't get in. Lots of them are demanding the names of those who didn't vote for him.

The hall has been demeaned by this. It's just become a lot less important. There's first ballot hall of famers who've said they are not attending the awards after this.

Spygate and Deflategate didn't happen around Superbowl wins. Six Superbowl wins is not enough for a first ballot selection? It's a complete joke.

All that needs to happen now is for Belichick to turn it down next year and the hall is done.

adrian522 · 05-02-2026 02:39PM

Glad to see Roger Craig getting voted into the HoF, really he should have been in years ago. A key part of the 1980's 49ers offense, first player to have 1000 Rushing and Receiving yards in the same season and probably his last opportunity to get in.

They really need to split the coach/contributors from the senior candidates given the mess the voters made of it this year,

Kev8360 · 06-02-2026 11:32AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124208068#Comment_124208068

Roger Craig should have got in a long time ago - he was the original dual threat RB - loved his running style with the high knees. He got lost in the discussion due to how good that Rice and Montana were on that 49ers team but he was the 1st RB to score 3 TDs in a Superbowl, 1st RB with 100 yds receiving in a super bowl and won 3 of them.

100% agreed on the voting - makes no sense to have senior players and coaches in the same group of candidates. With the controversy this year I cant see how they don't change the format.

Itssoeasy · 06-02-2026 05:52PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124211252#Comment_124211252

But am I right in saying the new way of voting the senior players and contributors is very recent. It used to be an up or down vote on each person.

I did see that Roger Craig was a “head scratcher” to which I rolled my eyes at. As you say Roger Craig should’ve been in years ago, as should LC greenwood.