Brady: 'I don't understand' Belichick's HOF snub

Tom Brady is part of a large contingent that is struggling to understand how the Pro Football Hall of Fame snubbed six-time Super Bowl-winning head coach Bill Belichick in his first year of eligibility.

"I don't understand it. I mean, I was with him every day," Brady told Seattle Sports 710's "Brock & Salk Show" on Wednesday. "If he's not a first-ballot Hall of Famer, there's really no coach that should ever be a first-ballot Hall of Famer, which is completely ridiculous because people deserve it."

Belichick reportedly fell short of securing the 40 of 50 votes required for election.

The 73-year-old head coach is among 20 finalists in consideration for induction in the 2026 class. Belichick appeared to be a favorite to be elected in his first year on the ballot given his extensive career achievements. He claimed two Lombardi Trophies as a defensive coordinator with the New York Giants prior to winning six titles with the New England Patriots.

Brady and Belichick were two of the key pillars in a Patriots dynasty that was noted for its winning seasons and Super Bowl titles - along with some controversies.

Belichick's involvement in multiple scandals reportedly came up during deliberations among voters. In 2007's Spygate, he was fined $500,000 and the team lost a draft pick after the Patriots filmed opposing teams' signals during games. Deflategate, in which Brady allegedly ordered the deliberate deflation of footballs that were used in New England's AFC title win in 2015, also occurred during Belichick's tenure.

The Patriots made nine Super Bowl appearances and enjoyed 19 consecutive winning seasons under Belichick from 2001-19. A three-time Coach of the Year, he has notched the second-most combined wins in league history with 333 victories, trailing only Don Shula (347).

"There's no coach I'd rather play for," Brady said. "If I'm picking one coach, to go out there and win a Super Bowl, give me one season, I'm taking Bill Belichick."

Brady added, "He's gonna get into the Hall of Fame. In the end, I'm not worried about that."