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Brees and Fitzgerald in the Hall of Fame in their first year of eligibility: the 2026 class of the Pro Football Hall of Fame highlights two exceptional careers, while raising a major controversy related to a notable absence.
Quarterback Drew Brees and wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald were inducted in their first year of eligibility, becoming the figureheads of this new cohort announced Thursday night during the NFL Honors ceremony.
Alongside Brees and Fitzgerald, the Class of 2026 also includes defensive player Luke Kuechly and kicker Adam Vinatieri, both inducted in their second year of eligibility, as well as running back Roger Craig, inducted in the senior players category.
Two outstanding careers honored immediately
The immediate induction of Drew Brees and Larry Fitzgerald comes as no surprise, given their tremendous impact on the NFL. Brees ranks second in league history in passing yards (80,358) and touchdown passes (571), behind Tom Brady. After five seasons with the San Diego Chargers, he enjoyed his greatest success with the New Orleans Saints, whom he led to a Super Bowl title in 2010.
Larry Fitzgerald, meanwhile, spent his entire career with the Arizona Cardinals. Drafted third overall in 2004, he racked up 1,432 receptions and 17,492 receiving yards in 17 seasons, ranking second all-time behind Jerry Rice. “Getting on stage with all the other Hall of Famers crystallized this moment for me,” Fitzgerald said.
Bill Belichick's absence sparks reaction
Despite these prestigious inductions, Bill Belichick's absence dominated the discussion. A six-time Super Bowl champion with 333 combined regular season and playoff wins, the former Patriots coach was not elected in his first year of eligibility. At least 11 of the 50 voters chose not to support his candidacy, sparking fierce criticism of the selection process.
Adam Vinatieri, who won two Super Bowls under Belichick, acknowledged his surprise, while pointing out that “his statistics speak for themselves.”
A more restrictive selection process
For the second year in a row, the class has fewer inductees than usual, a direct result of the new selection rules. Roger Craig, who had been waiting for 28 years, was finally honored, notably for being the first player to achieve a 1,000-yard rushing and 1,000-yard receiving season in 1985.
The Class of 2026 illustrates both the greatness of certain legendary careers and the increased rigor of a now more selective process.
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