In a sports world where numbers usually do the talking, the recent Pro Football Hall of Fame voting results have sparked a firestorm that transcends statistics. Bill Belichick—an eight-time (or nine, depending on how you count his coordinator rings) Super Bowl-winning coach—fell short of the 40 out of 50 votes required for first-ballot induction. The news has sent shockwaves through the NFL landscape, but no one has reacted with more vitriol and raw emotion than Jason Brown, better known as Coach JB.
On the latest episode of The Coach JB Show with Big Smitty, Brown went on a scorched-earth rant, questioning the integrity of the voting process, the qualifications of the journalists on the panel, and the personal agendas he believes led to this historic snub.
“Skeletor” and the Polian Connection
Coach JB’s ire was primarily focused on Bill Polian, the legendary former executive who was reportedly a vocal figure in the Hall of Fame deliberations. JB didn’t hold back, labeling Polian a “cadaver” and “Skeletor” while accusing him of holding a long-standing personal grudge against Belichick.
“I don’t know one person that’s ever spoke highly of Bill Polian,” JB claimed, alleging that Polian’s friendship with Patriots owner Robert Kraft—who has had a complicated relationship with Belichick—may have influenced the deliberations. JB’s criticism extended to the voting process itself, where Polian allegedly told reporters he was “95% sure” he voted for Belichick. “You don’t remember who you voted for? That’s the issue!” JB screamed.
The Journalist Problem
One of the core arguments of the episode was JB’s belief that journalists should not have a monopoly on Hall of Fame voting. He went through the list of 50 voters, dismissing many as “nobodies” or “beat writers” who never played or coached the game at a high level.
“What gives you the qualification to vote for this?” JB asked rhetorically. He pointed out that out of the 50 voters, only a handful—including Tony Dungy, Dan Fouts, and James Lofton—had actual NFL playing or coaching experience. JB argued that the Hall of Fame becomes “illegitimate” when “uber nerds” and “cowardly” writers use their votes to settle personal scores against coaches who may have been difficult to deal with in press conferences.
The Criteria: Wins vs. Feelings
JB and Big Smitty noted that the official Hall of Fame criteria are supposed to be based on wins, losses, Super Bowls, and career accolades—all of which Belichick possesses in abundance. They argued that the introduction of “Spygate,” “Deflategate,” or Belichick’s personal life (including his current relationship) into the conversation is a violation of the spirit of the Hall.
“Take away two rings from him, fuck it! He still got six as a head coach!” Big Smitty argued, noting that other coaches like Chuck Noll were first-ballot inductees with far fewer accolades. The hosts suggested that the voting was “vindictive” and “feelings-based,” a trend they believe is damaging the prestige of the NFL’s highest honor.
A Call for Accountability
The rant also touched on the lack of transparency in the voting process. JB called for the votes to be made public, agreeing with legendary coach Jimmy Johnson’s recent social media posts calling out the “cowardly” voters who refused to identify themselves.
“If Tom Brady isn’t first ballot, I’m going to be even more furious,” JB warned, suggesting that if the greatest coach in history can be kept out for personal reasons, then no one’s legacy is safe. He even went as far as to suggest that the NFL might be fostering this drama strategically to drive engagement during the Super Bowl lead-up, calling it “strategic” and “reality TV” for the league.
The Verdict: A Broken System?
As the segment concluded, Coach JB’s message was clear: the Pro Football Hall of Fame has a major credibility problem. By denying Bill Belichick first-ballot status, the voters have, in his eyes, admitted that personal bias outweighs historical achievement.
“Make it make sense,” JB challenged. “Shadeur Sanders is a Pro Bowler and Bill Belichick’s not in the Hall of Fame? That’s how ass-backwards the world is.” Whether or not you agree with JB’s delivery, the “Belichick Snub” has undoubtedly opened a Pandora’s box regarding who should hold the power to define the legends of the game. For now, the “Skeletors” of the media hold the keys, and Coach JB is making sure the world knows exactly how he feels about it.
