Bill Belichick will now get a second chance at induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
And while it certainly shouldn’t have come to that — my goodness, his snub in his first year of eligibility was the most embarrassing moment in the long and proud history of the Hall — but in essence, perhaps in some crazy thought oricess, that’s the way it had to be.
After all, it took Belichick two times — until his second job with the New England Patriots in 2000 after his five years with the Browns didn’t work out as planned — before he really started to take the steps necessary to become the greatest head coach in NFL history.
Belichick, of course, made the most of that second opportunity and, even though he will obviously have no control over his election into the HOF, it’s incomprehensible that the Selection Committee will screw this up again and bypass the GOAT as if it lwere a Red Right 88-type situation.
Now, to clear up any questions, we must explain that we talk about Belichick on BrownsDailyDose.com becsuse his experience in Cleveland —those five seasons from 1981-95 — had so much to do with his career, and his succsss. For while Belichick came to the Browns with one of the greatest football minds in the history of the game, he needed to learn how to become a head coach, he had to quit trying to do everything by himself and instead embrace delegating responsibility, and he had to grasp the absolute necessity of having a franchise quarterback. He did all those things when he went to New England, and when he did, magic —and history — ensued, at least part of which traces back to Cleveland.
One more thought about this to consider: Belichick’s stubborn nature and his refusal to move off his principles is legendary. He had to have been shaken — and miffed and ticked off to the hilt — and it would not be a total shock at all if, upon getting voted into the Hall early next year, if indeed it happens, he somehow decided to boycott the enshrinement ceremony. How awful — and incredibly sad and disappointing — would that be?
Steve King
