NFL makes major changes to Hall of Fame eligibility after Bill Belichick debacle

The Pro Football Hall of Fame has decided to change its voting procedures after long-time NFL head coach Bill Belichick was denied entry into the shrine last year.

Multiple changes have been made by the Hall of Fame with the idea of preventing what it viewed as a debacle in last year’s vote. Belichick was the six-time Super Bowl-winning head coach of the New England Patriots during that team’s two-decade long run of excellence.

The number of selectors has been reduced from 50 to 28. That included 25 voters and 3 alternates. Players will remain eligible indefinitely for the Hall of Fame. There will be no special seniors category.

The coach and contributor candidates will go into a pool with a 13 players who are finalists for election.

Selectors will no longer represent the city or team they have been associated with in the pasts. They will all be considered at-large selectors. Those selectors will no longer make a case for the eligible players, coaches or contributors. The presentations will be made by Hall of Fame administrators.

The voting threshold remains at 80 percent to gain entry into the Hall. That means 20 of the 25 voters must back an individual’s entry.

Hall of Fame President and CEO Jim Porter announced the changes. He said that a 2 1/2-year study was made by the organization before the changes were announced.

“The Hall continually reviews its bylaws to ensure the selection process reflects the highest standards of integrity and the magnitude of election to the Pro Football Hall of Fame,” Porter said in a statement. “There is no more important task at the Hall of Fame than the election of each new class.”

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