Core Viewpoint - The recent decisions to exclude New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft and former coach Bill Belichick from the Pro Football Hall of Fame highlight flaws in the voting system, prompting calls for accountability and change [1][3]. Group 1: Criticism of the Hall of Fame Voting Process - Terrell Owens criticized the Hall of Fame voting process, stating that it is "plain dumb" to overlook Kraft and Belichick given the Patriots' success, including their potential seventh Super Bowl win [1]. - Owens suggested that Jim Porter, the Hall of Fame's president, should implement changes to the criteria or mission statement to address the perceived flaws in the selection process [2]. - Owens emphasized that the writers responsible for the voting should be held accountable for not adhering to the established guidelines and bylaws, indicating a need for a reevaluation of their roles [3]. Group 2: Personal Experience and Financial Implications - Owens, a former NFL player and Hall of Fame inductee, experienced the voting process firsthand, having been passed over twice before his induction in 2018 despite ranking highly in receiving categories [4]. - He noted that being a first-ballot Hall of Famer carries significant financial opportunities, and the prestige associated with it seems to have diminished over time [5]. - In protest of the flawed process, Owens chose to hold his own celebration at his alma mater instead of attending the official induction ceremony in Canton, Ohio [5].
Terrell Owens calls Hall of Fame process 'broken' after Belichick, Kraft snubs