This Week in Sports Trivia: January 29, 2026

Bill Belichick will not enter the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.

It’s an outrageous development — which The Athletic confirmed Tuesday — though one must keep in mind that this only delays Belichick’s enshrinement by one year. So he’ll be OK, and if anything, this snub should make his induction speech must-watch viewing.

It does bring to mind all sorts of questions, however, about the voters and the voting process, and just how something like this could happen.

The Athletic’s Mike Sando broke it down nicely, pointing to the possibility of some blowback over Spygate and cheating allegations, anger that the typical five-year waiting period was reduced to one year for coaches, and voters funneling their limited number of picks to other candidates, figuring Belichick would get in regardless. Or maybe it was just jealousy.

While you ponder those questions, dive in and enjoy this week’s quiz. And be sure to check out our daily Connections: Sports Edition as well.

Top stories mentioned in this week’s quiz

Bill Belichick is not a first-ballot Hall of Famer. What happened?

Aaron Glenn sought out a former coach for his Jets staff

Clemson’s Dabo Swinney throws out accusation of tampering

NBC’s “Basketball Night in America” hires an analyst from outside NBA

Mets sign nine-time All-Star to minor league contract

Surprise! College hoops program earns top-5 ranking for first time

Mikaela Shiffrin is on a roll heading into the Winter Olympics

Former Man United star watches his son take pitch at Old Trafford

Novak Djokovic apologizes after moment of anger at Australian Open

Golfer wins first tournament of the year, makes history in the process

This article originally appeared in The Athletic.

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