Drew Brees and Larry Fitzgerald have been elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in their first year of eligibility, but the announcement was overshadowed by the omission of legendary coach Bill Belichick. The six-time Super Bowl-winning coach was not included in the Class of 2026, prompting former Dallas Cowboys coach Jimmy Johnson to skip the ceremony in protest.
Johnson, a Hall of Famer himself, said he was 'pissed' about Belichick's snub. 'He is the greatest of all time. Yes, he had a great QB, but we all did,' Johnson said. The Hall of Fame acknowledged the uproar but defended the integrity of the selection process, stating that the committee followed the bylaws.
Brees, who ranks second in NFL history with 80,358 passing yards and 571 touchdowns, was a 13-time Pro Bowl selection and Super Bowl XLIV MVP. Fitzgerald, a 17-year veteran with the Arizona Cardinals, ranks second all-time in receptions (1,432) and receiving yards (17,492). 'It's a surreal feeling,' Fitzgerald said of his induction.
The class also includes former New England Patriots kicker Adam Vinatieri, who was elected in his second year of eligibility, and Carolina Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly, a finalist in 2025. San Francisco 49ers great Roger Craig was the lone seniors candidate elected, having won three Super Bowls and becoming the first running back with 1,000 yards rushing and receiving in the same season.
Former Patriots defensive back Devin McCourty expressed concern that the controversy would overshadow the achievements of the inductees. 'The only talk is going to be about the guys that didn't get into the Hall of Fame,' he said.
