Former New England Patriots wide receiver Danny Amendola described it as "crazy to think about" the possibility of Tom Brady not being a first-ballot inductee into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, especially in the wake of his former coach Bill Belichick’s unexpected snub.
Belichick, who led the Patriots to six Super Bowl championships, was not among the inductees announced this week, a decision that has baffled many in the football community, including former players.
Amendola, who won two Super Bowl rings with the Patriots during Belichick's tenure, shared his astonishment. "It was wild that Bill didn’t go. Obviously, his record and his hardware speak for itself. He’s a great ball coach, man. We’ll see how it goes," Amendola told Fox News Digital.
Amendola, speaking after participating in a USAA Salute to Service NFL Boot Camp, stated that he has not even considered the scenario where Brady might not be a first-ballot Hall of Famer when he becomes eligible in 2028. "I’m getting my suit ready to go support him when he gets his call. There’s no doubt in my mind he will be a first-ballot Hall of Famer. That’s never even crossed my mind, that’s crazy to think about," he said.
One reported reason for Belichick’s first-ballot omission was his involvement in controversies such as Spygate and Deflategate. Brady himself received a four-game suspension in connection with the Deflategate scandal.
Brady's resume includes seven Super Bowl rings, an NFL record, and he holds all-time records for passing yards (89,214), completions (7,753), and touchdowns (649). He also started a record 333 consecutive games over his 23-year career and is widely regarded as the greatest quarterback in NFL history.
Despite Brady's unparalleled accomplishments, Amendola acknowledged that Belichick's situation suggests no player is a guaranteed first-ballot inductee.
Amendola's remarks came after he assisted service members at a USAA Salute to Service NFL Boot Camp. During the event, he coached active-duty military personnel through drills similar to those used by NFL coaches.
"These guys are going really hard. They’re having a blast. You can tell they’re smiling from ear to ear and really having fun," Amendola said of the service members. "It’s great to have them out here—they do so much for our country. Without them, we wouldn’t be able to do what we do. So, just getting out here, spreading the love of the game, and having some fun doing it. It’s awesome to be a part of."
Amendola also expressed a deep appreciation for the military, noting that he had considered a military career himself if he had not received a football scholarship. "It’s awesome to hear their stories, their day-to-day lives," he added.