Bill Belichick, North Carolina, Buffalo Bills
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North Carolina head football coach Bill Belichick
When news broke that Bill Belichick had been left out of the latest Pro Football Hall of Fame class, the reaction around the football world was swift. Few responses, however, were as pointed and compelling as those from Marshawn Lynch and Tony Romo, two former NFL stars who know firsthand what Belichick meant to the league’s modern era.
For many people, the idea of Belichick being snubbed felt almost impossible to reconcile with his resume. Six Super Bowl titles as a head coach, two more as a defensive coordinator, and a two-decade run of dominance with the New England Patriots helped define an entire generation of football. But controversy and debate have always followed Belichick, and Hall of Fame voting is rarely without drama.
Here’s what Romo and Lynch had to say in their reactions to Belichick’s Hall of Fame snub.
Marshawn Lynch Vigorously Defends Belichick’s Contributions
Marshawn Lynch runs during an NFL game.
GettyMarshawn Lynch gave the Seattle Seahawks a power-running identify during one of the best stretches in franchise history.
Marshawn Lynch has never been one to sugarcoat his opinions nor hold back when voicing his thoughts, and this time is no different. In his characteristically blunt fashion, Lynch has made it known that he adamantly believes in Bill Belichick’s legacy and contributions to pro football.
Speaking as a guest on the Get Got Podcast on February 19, 2026, Lynch questioned how Hall of Fame voters could justify a ballot which leaves off a coach whose system and philosophy have shaped the National Football League for over two decades. Referencing those who crafted the ballot which excluded Belichick, Lynch explicitly exclaimed, “F*** them!” and “Who the f*** won more super bowls?!” of which the latter sentiment references the famed coach’s winning streak at the league’s biggest game.
“You can’t tell the story of football without Bill,” Lynch continued. “Whether you liked playing against him or not, you had to prepare different. That’s respect.” Having played for the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XLIX against Belichick’s New England Patriots, Lynch’s exuberant words carry the weight of a player whose opponent has truly earned his respect. This is particularly resounding given that the Seahawks fell to the Patriots during Super Bowl XLIX.
Tony Romo Insists Belichick’s Legacy Isn’t Up For Debate
GettyFormer Dallas Cowboys quarterback and CBS broadcaster Tony Romo.
Now a lead analyst for CBS Sports, Tony Romo approached Belichick’s Hall of Fame snub from a more analytical angle. During a broadcast segment on the network, he called Belichick being left off of the ballot a “temporary” omission and suggested that the issue he considered to be an oversight will be corrected.
“When you evaluate greatness, you look at sustained excellence,” said Romo. “The Patriots under Belichick weren’t just good – they redefined preparation, situational football, and in-game adjustments.” Romo continued
During his time as quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys, Romo faced Belichick-coached teams multiple times and frequently praised them for their complexity of defensive schemes. “When you stack the accomplishments against anyone in league history, it’s not really a debate.”