need to know
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President Donald Trump has issues with Bill Belichick’s Hall of Fame snub
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President writes on Truth Social that vote not to include coaches in first round should be ‘overturned’
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Trump, Belichick and New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft have long had ties
President Donald Trump doesn’t like the NFL’s “sissy kickoff rule” or the news that Bill Belichick was left off the first ballot for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
On “Truth Social” on Wednesday, January 28, the president addressed the controversy surrounding Belichick’s snub, which occurred during his first year of eligibility.
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“It’s the same mentality that brought pro football’s new, unwatchable ‘sissy’ kickoff rule that puts Bill Belichick at risk of not being elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame,” Trump, 79, wrote. “Both are ridiculous and both should be overturned!”
The 73-year-old North Carolina coach won six Super Bowl rings as coach of the New England Patriots (and two as an assistant coach with the New York Giants), but he didn’t receive enough votes to become just the fifth first-time head coach in NFL history to appear on the ballot.
ESPN reports that two of Belichick’s biggest controversies — spygate and deflategate — have impacted voter deliberations.
Bill Belichick, Donald TrumpJohn Telumaki/Getty Images
Belichick and Trump have a long history, dating back to the coach’s days in Foxborough.
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In 2016, the then-Patriots head coach wrote a letter of support for Trump on the eve of the first presidential election, which Trump read at a rally.
Trump said the letter began with “congratulations on a great campaign.” “You dealt with incredibly biased and negative media and performed it beautifully. You have proven to be the ultimate competitor and fighter. Your leadership has been amazing.”
Belichick continued: “I’ve always had the utmost respect for you, but the tenacity and perseverance you’ve shown over the past year has been extraordinary. Hopefully tomorrow’s election results will give us the opportunity to make America great again. Best wishes for great things tomorrow, Bill Belichick.”
Patriots owner Robert Kraft — also close to Trump — is still awaiting his induction into the Hall of Fame.
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Kraft, 84, has missed out on the honor 13 times and has at least one former player supporting him as his team faces the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl 60 next week
“You know who looks like a damn G right now? RKK [Robert Kraft]”, retired Patriots star Julian Edelman said on the latest episode of the show. a named game podcast. “RKK looks like a G. I think he’s the only owner to take three different coaches, three different quarterbacks to a Super Bowl. This is his 12th Super Bowl. My guy needs to be in the Hall of Fame. They have to get him in.”
Read the original article on People