Bill Belichick's first-ballot Hall of Fame snub has been the talk of the NFL world over the past week, and now one of his former players is even weighing in.
Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel, who played for Belichick from 2001 to 2008 and was a part of three Super Bowl-winning teams, now finds himself leading New England to the big game from the sideline.
And when it comes to Belichick not getting into Canton, he's confident that the Hall of Fame will do the right thing and rectify the situation in the near future.
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Mike Vrabel on Belichick: 'He's a HOF football coach'
Speaking to the media ahead of the Pats' Super Bowl 60 matchup vs. the Seahawks this weekend, Vrabel said he's sure his former coach will get in soon in spite of the delay.
“I’m confident that Bill will get in,” Vrabel shared. “I don’t know the process. I know that everybody is talking about the process. However the vote needs to go, I know that Bill is a Hall of Fame coach. Whether he’s going to get in this year, next year or the year after that, he’s a Hall of Fame football coach.”
“I appreciated my time with Bill," Vrabel added. "Enjoyed it — enjoyed every second, eight years with Bill.”
Roger Goodell comments on Belichick, says NFL has no role
Commissioner Roger Goodell also commented the Belichick situation during his first night in Santa Clara (who along with Patriots owner Robert Kraft did not get in) where he reiterated his belief that Bill is a Hall of Fame coach, but said that the league has no role in how the process plays out.
"We are not involved in it," Goodell told reporters. "Bill Belichick's record goes without saying, same with the Patriots and Robert Kraft, who is also a candidate. They are spectacular. They have contributed so much to this game, and I believe they will be Hall of Famers."
Belichick traded Vrabel to the Kansas City Chiefs in 2009 where he finished out the last two seasons of his NFL career. But Vrabel remains a big supporter of the man that brought him to New England after four years in Pittsburgh.