NFL legend Terrell Owens didn’t hold back on Wednesday as he criticized the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s selection process, saying the recent exclusion of New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft and longtime head coach Bill Belichick exposes deep flaws in the system. According to Owens, the process is no longer working as intended — and someone needs to answer for it. Terrell Owens slams Hall of Fame system as “broken” after Belichick, Kraft are overlooked.
Speaking to CNBC Sport in San Francisco ahead of Super Bowl LX, Owens described the situation bluntly.
“It’s just plain dumb,” Owens said. “Something has to change.”
The omission of Kraft and Belichick surprised many across the NFL world, given the Patriots’ unprecedented success over the past two decades. With another Super Bowl victory, New England would stand alone with seven Lombardi Trophies — the most in league history. Belichick coached the team through six of those championship runs, including a Super Bowl win over Owens’ own Philadelphia Eagles.
Owens suggested responsibility may ultimately lie with Hall of Fame president Jim Porter, arguing that leadership must step in to reform the process.
“He needs to make changes — whether that’s the criteria, the mission statement, or the overall system,” Owens said. “Something has to be done.”
The Hall of Famer also placed blame squarely on the voters, particularly the writers tasked with deciding who earns football’s highest honor.
“Whoever set up the bylaws and guidelines for getting into Canton needs to make sure they’re followed,” Owens said. “If the people appointed to do this job aren’t doing it right, that’s a problem. They should be held accountable — even stripped of their position if necessary.”
In response to the criticism, the Pro Football Hall of Fame referred to a statement released in late January, emphasizing the seriousness with which it treats the selection process. The organization acknowledged the strong reactions from fans and media, while stressing that the integrity of the process is paramount.
“If it is determined that any member violated the selection process bylaws, action will be taken,” the Hall stated. “Selecting a new class is the most important responsibility we have, and the credibility of that process cannot be questioned.”
Owens’ frustration is deeply personal. A six-time Pro Bowler who played 15 seasons in the NFL, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2018 — but only after being passed over twice, despite ranking near the top in almost every major receiving category. He said those delays had real financial consequences.
“There’s a lot that comes with being a first-ballot Hall of Famer — financially and professionally,” Owens explained. “It used to mean something special. Now it feels watered down.”
In protest of what he described as a “flawed process,” Owens famously skipped the official induction ceremony in Canton, Ohio, instead hosting his own celebration at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, his alma mater.
Years later, Owens says the same issues remain — and the snubs of Kraft and Belichick have only reinforced his belief that the Hall of Fame system needs urgent reform.
