Rob Gronkowski, the latest corner star in Bill Belichick’s New England Patriots dynasty, laments his former head coach’s Hall of Fame snub.
Belichick reportedly won’t be inducted into the Hall of Fame in his first year on the ballot, a shocking outcome for a coach who won eight Super Bowls (six as a head coach) and has the most postseason wins in NFL history. Tom Brady was one of the former Patriots stars to criticize the “ridiculous” outcome, with Gronkowski later joining the chorus of critics.
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Gronkowski responded to Belichick’s rejection of the Hall of Fame on NBC’s “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” on Thursday.
“It’s completely ridiculous that Coach Belichick is not a first-ballot Hall of Famer,” Gronkowski declared.
The legendary tight end reviewed Belichick’s credentials, which seemed to make him the obvious choice, and then highlighted the intangible mark the 73-year-old has left on the football world.
“He impacted a lot of lives as well, and he gave a lot of different players and coaches a lot of opportunities to be successful,” Gronkowski said. “If Coach Belichick hadn’t drafted me to the New England Patriots in 2010, I wouldn’t be sitting next to Jimmy Fallon. So, Coach Belichick, thank you for everything you’ve done. In other people’s books, you’re a first-ballot Hall of Famer.”
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The surprising development could give Patriots fans a chance to celebrate two franchise icons in Canton next year. Gronkowski will be eligible for the Hall of Fame for the first time in 2027, so he and Belichick could be inducted together a year before Brady enters the ballot.
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Patriots’ Mike Vrabel on Bill Belichick Hall of Fame snub
