Voter Explains Why He Chose 3 Senior Players Over Belichick

When veteran sports columnist Vahe Gregorian cast his Pro Football Hall of Fame ballot without Bill Belichick's name on it, he knew questions would follow.

The Kansas City Star writer became the first voter to publicly explain his decision. And his reasoning had nothing to do with the "cheating stuff" that some assumed motivated his choice.

Instead, Gregorian voted for three senior candidates who had waited decades for recognition: Ken Anderson, Roger Craig, and L.C. Greenwood. These players from earlier NFL eras had been eligible for years without making it into the Hall.

"I didn't vote against Belichick or Kraft," Gregorian explained in his column Wednesday. "I voted for the three senior candidates."

Belichick, the six-time Super Bowl-winning head coach, needed 40 of 50 votes for first-ballot induction. He fell short but remains eligible for the 2027 class.

The decision highlights a lesser-known aspect of Hall of Fame voting: voters must balance honoring recent legends against finally recognizing greats from the past. Each voter gets limited selections, creating difficult choices.

Why This Inspires

Gregorian's transparency reminds us that honest disagreement can exist without negativity. He didn't diminish Belichick's accomplishments. Instead, he used his single vote to advocate for players he believed had waited long enough.

His public explanation also opens a window into how voters think about legacy and timing. Should recent stars get immediate recognition, or should voters prioritize correcting past oversights first?

The conversation sparked by his choice shows democracy in action, even in sports. Voters wrestle with competing values and make tough calls based on what matters most to them.

Belichick will almost certainly enter the Hall in 2027, and the three senior candidates Gregorian supported each have compelling cases built on outstanding careers. Sometimes the hardest choices aren't between good and bad, but between good and good.

The 2026 Hall of Fame class will be announced February 5 in San Francisco, and Belichick's coaching legacy remains secure regardless of timing.