ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports Patriots owner Robert Kraft was not voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on the first ballot.
Like Bill Belichick before him, Kraft will be kept out of Canton for at least a year. Unlike Belichick, it’s not clear that there was a concerted effort to keep Kraft out, though it’s still a puzzling decision by the voters. Kraft bought the team in 1994. Including Sunday’s upcoming game, they have gone on to appear in 11 Super Bowls with six wins under Kraft. A victory over the Seahawks would put New England in sole possession of the league record for Lombardi Trophies, all of which have come under Kraft. New England drafted the greatest quarterback of all time and hired the greatest coach of all time early in Kraft’s tenure as the principal owner. Their dynasty defined football in the 21st century. And yet, neither Kraft nor Belichick is in the Hall of Fame. Curious.