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Local Sports Reporter Explains Belichick Hall of Fame Snub, Citing Tough Choices and “Spygate”
Indianapolis, IN – The debate surrounding Bill Belichick’s exclusion from the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2026 continues to heat up, with a second voter stepping forward to shed light on his decision. Mike Chappell, a veteran FOX59/CBS4 Sports reporter who covered the Indianapolis Colts for over four decades, revealed in a recent column why he opted for New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft over the legendary coach.
Chappell’s explanation echoes sentiments shared by Kansas City Star’s Vahe Gregorian, the first voter to publicly address his choice. Both reporters highlighted the difficult task of selecting up to three names from a pool of five candidates, which included Belichick, Kraft, and three senior members.
Chappell ultimately chose two senior candidates, believing it was their last opportunity to be inducted into the Canton halls. This left him with a direct choice between Kraft and Belichick, and he sided with the longtime Patriots owner.
“As one of 50 selectors, I voted FOR Robert Kraft, the long-time and accomplished New England Patriots owner,” Chappell wrote. “I did not vote AGAINST Bill Belichick, the long-time and accomplished head coach of that dynasty. I realize that’s a difference without a distinction, but I’m comfortable with my decision.”
Chappell elaborated on his rationale for favoring Kraft, emphasizing the owner’s pivotal role in establishing the Patriots’ dynasty starting in 1994. He also credited Kraft for his instrumental efforts in negotiating an end to the 2011 NFL lockout, which contributed to sustained labor peace in the league, all while his late wife was battling a serious illness. Furthermore, Chappell noted Kraft’s behind-the-scenes involvement in boosting the NFL’s ever-growing television revenue.
A significant factor in Chappell’s decision, and one widely speculated to have impacted Belichick’s first-ballot eligibility, was the “Spygate” scandal.
“There’s no erasing the stain of Spygate from his bio,” Chappell stated. “This wasn’t alleged behavior. The NFL fined Belichick $500,000 – the maximum allowed – along with docking the Patriots $250,000 and a first-round draft pick for illegally videotaping New York Jets signals in 2007.”
Despite his vote, Chappell firmly believes Belichick is destined for the Hall of Fame, suggesting he will likely be inducted next year. He dismissed the notion that a delayed induction would diminish Belichick’s legacy.
However, many in the sports world disagree, arguing that Belichick’s record-second-most wins by a head coach, six Super Bowl titles as a head coach, and two as a coordinator-makes him an undeniable first-ballot Hall of Famer. Former NFL quarterback and ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky went as far as to call for the Hall of Fame to “rectify” what he termed an “egregious mistake.”
“There is not one person who has come out that’s made a justifiable reason for Coach Belichick to not be a first-ballot Hall of Famer,” Orlovsky asserted on ESPN’s “First Take.” He questioned why the Hall of Fame couldn’t reevaluate its decision, acknowledging a potentially flawed process, and “do the right thing” by inducting Belichick in his first year of eligibility.
Prominent figures, including Tom Brady, Patrick Mahomes, J.J. Watt, and even Robert Kraft himself (who has called Belichick the “greatest coach of all time”), have expressed their disappointment regarding the snub. The debate is likely to continue as the football world grapples with this unexpected outcome.