The Hall says it is hoping to "improve its selection process" from one that led to the 2026 class not including former New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick as one of its "most-deserving" candidates as a first-ballot Hall of Famer."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," said Hall of Fame president Jim Porter."There is no more important task at the Hall of Fame than the election of each new class."New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick on the sidelines in 2023.
(Robert Deutsch/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)FOOTBALL LEGEND BILL BELICHICK ADDRESSES HALL OF FAME SNUB AND WHETHER IT WAS A 'POLITICAL' DECISIONThe Hall has decided to cut the number of selectors from 50 people down to 28.Of that reduced number, three will be non-voting alternates.That means the days when every NFL team had a representative intimately tied to that team on the selection committee are over.Some current selectors who are being removed will be asked to participate in various Hall of Fame committees.The identity of the selectors remaining and those removed is still being decided by the Hall of Fame, according to Porter.As some selectors are being eliminated so is the traditional system of presentation.
For decades selectors presented Hall candidates to the rest of the selectors by stating a case for that person using statistics, testimony and endorsements from various respected football sources.FILE - This is the The Pro Football Hall of Fame logo at midfield at Tom Benson Field before a Hall of Fame exhibition game Aug.1, 2024, in Canton, Ohio.
(AP Photo/Gene J.Puskar, File)The entire group of selectors would then debate the pros and cons of that candidate before voting.Under the new system, one voice from a non-selector will introduce each candidate by simply announcing his name and sharing his resume.
Then the reduced group of s...