The highest honour an American can receive from their government, the Presidential Medal of Freedom is awarded by the US president to people who have made “an especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace, cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.”
William Stephen Belichick, an American professional football coach who serves as the head coach of the New England Patriots of the National Football League, was invited by the Trump White House to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom. On Monday, however, the longtime friend to POTUS said he would turn down the award in the wake of last Wednesday’s deadly attack on the US Capitol, which resulted in the deaths of five people, including a US Capitol police officer.
According to a statement obtained by ESPN, the Patriots head couch was “flattered by out of respect for what the honor represents and admiration for prior recipients” yet the events of last week affected his decision to reject the award.
The news of the proffered Presidential Medal of Freedom to a man considered by insiders to be the most accomplished coach in US football history has caused questions on whether Belichick would stand by his friend after a deadly attack on the US Capitol as Congress was in the process of confirming Joe Biden as the next US president.
In recent weeks, Trump has selected several sports figures and political backers for the highest American civilian honor, including Hall of Fame golfers Annika Sorenstam and Gary Player, multisport athlete Babe Didrikson Zaharias, and GOP House members and Trump loyalists Devin Nunes and Jim Jordan.
Sourse: sputniknews.com
