NFL Hall of Fame

Bill Belichick’s name has been synonymous with National Football League (NFL) greatness for so long that his absence on the first ballot of the Pro Football Hall of Fame comes off less like news and more like a categorical mistyping of history. How could the coach with six Super Bowls to his credit — the most for a bench tactician in the modern era — not garner the 40 of 50 votes required for induction in his first year of eligibility?

Belichick’s reaction, as relayed by those close to him per ESPN.com, was telling in its bluntness: “Six Super Bowls isn’t enough?” he asked an associate. To another, he said simply, “What does a guy have to do?” His incredulity captures the broader dissonance between his resume and the voting outcome this year. His career victories (333 for the regular season and playoffs combined) trail only Don Shula, and his imprint on the game is indelible. Yet, in a jury composed largely of veteran NFL media and former figures in the sport, more than enough withheld support for him.

There is speculation that Belichick’s case was weakened by questions about his role on Spygate and Deflategate, controversial chapters in his dynastic story that still provoke debate even after all these years. That the developments could color a Hall vote reflect the varying degrees with which sporting achievement is celebrated. Is legacy determined purely from statistical and strategic standpoints, or does it have to be tempered by character and context? The shock exhibited by players and peers underscores how clear the answer is to them. As far as they’re concerned, the process is meant to honor the NFL’s most influential contributors, period.

The sentiments effectively underscore the chasm between institutional ritual and popular judgment. The Hall’s purpose is to honor the architects of the sport and provide a locus for collective memory. When the voters’ supposed mission collides with procedural opacity and idiosyncratic reasoning, the institution’s credibility takes a hit. Which is not to say Belichick won’t ultimately be inducted. To the contrary, he most certainly will. All the same, the denial of his first-ballot enshrinement raises concerns about the so-called stewards’ adjudication of greatness. If nothing else, the unnecessary complication of his Hall of Fame journey shines the spotlight on them.

Anthony L. Cuaycong has been writing Courtside since BusinessWorld introduced a Sports section in 1994. He is a consultant on strategic planning, operations and human resources management, corporate communications, and business development.