Former Atlanta Falcons head coach Mike Smith didn’t hold back when asked about Bill Belichick‘s delayed induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
For Smith, who knows firsthand the pressures of leading a team on football’s biggest stage, Belichick‘s omission is baffling.
“My reaction was similar to everybody else’s,” Smith told Betway Insider. “Whether you’re a fan of the New England Patriots or not, it makes no difference. I know they changed the voting process recently, so I’m wondering if something got miscommunicated because there is no way that Bill Belichick is not a first-ballot Hall of Famer.”
Related:
- Super Bowl 2026: Date, time, location, and everything to know
- Where to watch the Super Bowl 2026? TV channel and streaming
- Super Bowl Halftime Show 2026: Everything about Bad Bunny’s performance
- How much do tickets for the Super Bowl cost in 2026?
- Super Bowl Winners List: All teams that have won the Vince Lombardi
He added, “This is a black spot on the Hall of Fame. They need to look at this immediately and review the voting situation. I was shocked.”
Smith, who famously coached the Falcons during the heartbreak of Super Bowl LI, knows what it means to compete at the highest level.
His team famously led the Patriots 28-3 late in the third quarter before Tom Brady engineered one of the most remarkable comebacks in NFL history, leaving Smith with a bitter memory but a deep respect for elite coaching.
“I think it’s going to be a really close game,” Smith said regarding the upcoming matchup between the Seattle Seahawks and the Patriots.
“These are two well-coached teams in all three phases.”
When asked to pick a favorite, he added, “I like Seattle. I think that their defense is going to give Drake Maye some issues due to his inexperience. They’re going to have something in their toolbox which they haven’t shown in a long time, or at all, and it will create one or two negative plays, which can be the difference.”
Hall of Fame process under scrutiny
Smith‘s comments go beyond Belichick‘s personal accolades. He points to larger questions about the Hall of Fame voting system, suggesting the NFL may need a rethink.
“Some are thinking they need to revamp the whole process because of the negative publicity this has created, not only for the Hall of Fame, but for the NFL itself,” Smith said.
Belichick‘s credentials are nearly unmatched. With six Super Bowl titles as a head coach, 333 career NFL victories (second only to Don Shula), and an additional two championships as a coordinator, his record is extraordinary.
“Based on those facts, you cannot argue that he is not the greatest NFL head coach of all time,” Smith added.
Even recognizing Belichick‘s polarizing reputation, Smith emphasizes the consensus around his abilities.
“Yes, when you are coaching as long as Belichick coached, you’re going to have some things that are controversial. We all know about them, but every long-standing coaching regime has these.
“If you asked 100 people to name an NFL head coach who is an absolute lock to be a first-ballot Hall of Famer, at least 99 would say Bill Belichick. His record speaks for itself.”
The Hall of Fame debate is not just about Belichick; it highlights how NFL history is remembered and recorded.
Smith‘s blunt assessment is also reflected in the frustration many fans, analysts, and former coaches feel when legendary careers appear undervalued by official institutions.
Read the full article here
