Coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots refuses Medal of Freedom from Trump
Although the New England Patriots are missing the playoffs, their head coach is set to receive the nation’s highest civilian honor this week.
According to reports from Politico and NBC on Sunday night, President Donald Trump plans to award Patriots coach Bill Belichick the Presidential Medal of Freedom on Thursday. Politico was first to report the news.
This comes after a chaotic and deadly week in Washington D.C., after Trump-supporting rioters stormed the Capitol on Wednesday, seeking to disrupt the certification of Joe Biden as President-elect. Five people died as a result of the attack, including a Capitol police officer.
Professional golfers Annika Sorenstam and Gary Player were awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom on Thursday at the White House.
Belichick, a six-time Super Bowl champion, is largely considered the greatest head coach in the NFL’s modern era after he steered the Patriots to the most consistent dynasty in professional sports over the last few decades.
Belichick has previously spoken about his friendship with Trump, and Trump called Belichick a “very good friend” after he wrote a letter in support of Trump during his 2016 campaign. Trump, during a rally before he was elected, read Belichick’s letter aloud to the crowd.
“Our friendship goes back many years,” Belichick said then in a news conference after Trump read his letter. “Anybody who spends more than five minutes with me knows I’m not a political person. My comments are not politically motivated. I have a friendship with Donald.”
Belichick and the Patriots visited Trump at the White House in 2017 after New England toppled the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl LI. After the Patriots beat the Rams in Super Bowl LIII, however, the team opted not to visit the White House.
In May 2018, the White House announced that it was appointing Belichick to Trump’s “Council on Sport, Fitness, and Nutrition.”
Trump awarding Belichick the Presidential Medal of Freedom would be one of the last acts of his presidency, which will conclude Jan. 20, when Biden is inaugurated.
In 26 seasons as an NFL head coach, Belichick is 280-136 (.673) in regular-season games.
