Former Patriots and Colts kicker Adam Vinatieri entered the Hall of Fame on the same day that former Patriots and Browns coach Bill Belichick should have been getting his own bronze bust.
Belichick wasn’t present for Saturday’s enshrinement ceremony. But Vinatieri mentioned the coach in his speech.
“I thought it was because training camp had already started,” Vinatieri said regarding Belichick’s absence, “but in truth it’s because he is judging his girlfriend’s cheerleading competition.”
Vinatieri followed the jab with a bouquet: “All jokes aside, in my opinion Bill is the greatest coach of all time.”
It’s the second straight Hall of Fame weekend that included an honoree taking a shot at Belichick’s May/next-December romance.
In 2025, Bill Nunn award recipient Mary Kay Cabot, in reflecting on his skirmishes with Belichick when he coached the Browns, said this: “Now I totally understand why Bill gave me such a hard time,” Cabot said. “I was 28 at the time and he just couldn’t relate to a woman that old.”
Next year, Belichick should get his chance to take a few shots when he finally gets his opportunity to give an acceptance speech.
