Morning Sports Update
One Hall of Fame voter said he picked between Belichick and Kraft so that he could vote for two Senior candidates.
Robert Kraft and Bill Belichick were up against each other in the Pro Football Hall of Fame vote this year. John Tlumacki/Globe Staff
January 30, 2026 | 11:55 AM
5 minutes to read
A second non-Bill Belichick Hall of Fame voter explains why he didn’t vote for the former Patriots coach: Spygate was one of the reasons that led Pro Football Hall of Fame voter Mike Chappell not to pick Bill Belichick to be inducted as part of the Class of 2026. But there was another reason why Chappell didn’t pick Belichick for induction this year.
Chappell, who works for FOX59/CBS4 in Indianapolis, explained that he decided between Belichick and Robert Kraft instead of voting for both of them so that he could vote for two Senior candidates.
“I’m not in favor of grouping Senior candidates with coaches and contributors, but that’s above my pay grade,” Chappell wrote in a column explaining his vote. “Most of the time, I’m going to lean toward supporting a Senior nominee(s). If that player or players doesn’t get the necessary support when presented by the Seniors Committee, there’s a very good chance they’ll never again be considered.
“I voted for one coach/contributor (Kraft) and two senior candidates.”
In the final round of the Hall of Fame vote, the coaching (Belichick) and contributor (Kraft) finalists were paired with the finalists that moved forward from the Senior subcommittee (Ken Anderson, Roger Craig, L.C. Greenwood). The 50 Hall of Fame voters could only vote for three of those five people, with each person needing at least 80 percent of the vote to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2026.
While Belichick’s résumé is arguably the strongest of that group, Chappell wrote that Spygate had put a “stain” on the former Patriots head coach’s bio. Meanwhile, Chappell credited Kraft for some of the things he’s accomplished outside of his role as Patriots owner.
“Kraft’s role in building the Patriots dynasty beginning in 1994 AND his undeniable role in helping negotiate the end of the 100-play-day work stoppage in 2011 – while his wife was gravely ill – that has resulted in long-standing labor peace,” Chappell wrote. “He’s also been involved behind the scenes in bolstering the NFL’s ever-increasing TV revenue.”
Kraft, who has helped the Patriots win six Super Bowl titles and appear in 11 Super Bowls in his 32 years as the team’s owner, was one of the lead negotiators on the NFL’s side during the 2011 lockout. Former Colts center Jeff Saturday later credited Kraft for helping “save football” when the two sides agreed to a new collective bargaining agreement.
Kraft has also served as the chairman of the NFL’s media committee. In that role, Kraft helped the league land over $100 billion in broadcasting deals in 2021.
Putting Kraft’s achievements aside, the news of Belichick’s exclusion from the Class of 2026 surprised many and took the sports world by storm on Tuesday. Belichick has won more Super Bowls (six) and playoff games (31) than any head coach in NFL history. His 333 wins are also the second-most ever for a head coach.
That’s why Chappell believes Belichick will eventually be a Hall of Famer sooner rather than later. He doesn’t think Belichick falling short in his first time on the ballot should diminish his success, either.
“This year’s decision in no way insinuates Belichick isn’t Hall of Fame-worthy. Of course he is. I believe he makes it next year,” Chappell wrote. “Will that mean his gold jacket isn’t as bold had he been selected in his first year of eligibility? Of course not.”
Trivia:
Only three coaches from the Super Bowl era have been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in their first year on the ballot. Who were they?
(Hint: They all won at least two Super Bowls, and one coached a Patriots divisional rival.)
Scores and schedules:
The Bruins took down the Flyers, 6-3, on Thursday night behind strong performances from Fraser Minten and Casey Mittelstadt, who each scored a goal and dished out two assists. Up next for the Bruins is the Stadium Series matchup against the Lightning on Sunday. That game will be held at Raymond James Stadium, home of the Buccaneers, with puck drop scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
The Celtics will close out their four-game homestand this weekend with games against the Kings and Bucks. They host Sacramento on Friday at 7:30 p.m. before taking on Milwaukee at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday.
Finally, the Patriots have the weekend off ahead of Super Bowl LX, but they have a busy few days ahead. A send-off rally will take place at Gillette Stadium on Sunday. The rally is open to fans and begins at 9:30 a.m. The Patriots will also participate in Opening Night at the Super Bowl on Monday.
Read more on Boston.com:
Patriots, Seahawks unveil uniforms for Super Bowl LX:
As you might have heard by now, the Patriots will be rocking their white jersey and pants combo for Super Bowl LX. But there’ll be a couple of notable differences when they wear that uniform combo next Sunday. Their jerseys will have patches for Super Bowl LX and America 250.
The Seahawks’ jersey will also have those same patches, in addition to their patch celebrating the team’s 50th anniversary as they’ll rock navy blue jerseys and pants.
Patriots’ injury report following first Super Bowl practice:
Drake Maye was limited at Thursday’s practice with a shoulder issue, but there were a few players who didn’t participate. Edge rusher Harold Landry III was out with a knee injury after missing the AFC Championship Game. Linebacker Robert Spillane (ankle) and offensive tackle Thayer Munford Jr. (knee/illness) also missed Thursday’s practice.
On this day:
One of the more memorable finishes to a Super Bowl ever took place twenty-six years ago on Friday. In the final seconds of Super Bowl XXXIV, Titans quarterback Steve McNair completed a pass to wide receiver Kevin Dyson over the middle on a play where it appeared Tennessee would score a game-tying touchdown. But Rams linebacker Mike Jones was able to come up with a big tackle before Dyson could cross the goal line as time ran out, sealing a 23-16 win for St. Louis.
“The Tackle”#Rams linebacker Mike Jones halts #Titans receiver Kevin Dyson one yard short of the goal line on the final play of Super Bowl XXXIV — preserving the Rams’ first Super Bowl victory.
ABC’s Al Michaels delivers yet another of his iconic calls.
January 30, 2000 pic.twitter.com/ewewDhb5pE
— Kevin Gallagher (@KevG163) January 30, 2026
Daily highlight:
In a battle between two of the NBA’s top rookies, both Cooper Flagg and Kon Knueppel showed out in Thursday’s Hornets-Mavericks game. Flagg scored a career-high 49 points, becoming the youngest player in NBA history to score over 45 points in a game.
But Knueppel got the last laugh, making two free throws in the final seconds to give him 34 points and the Hornets a 123-121 win.
Trivia answer: Don Shula, Tom Landry, Chuck Noll
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