While the New England Patriots don’t play in the National Football League (NFL) playoffs for the first time in 12 seasons, the team has been in the spotlight for the past few days on behalf of its head coach, Bill Belichick.
(You may also be interested in: US Congressmen, positive for covid after Capitol ingestion).
And it is that last January 10 it was announced that the President of the United States, Donald Trump, wanted to present the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Belichick, but the response from the coach was not what was expected.
Belichick announced in an official statement that he refused the recognition, which was posted on sports journalist Adam Schefter’s Twitter account.
Rejection
The reason for rejecting this sought-after distinction was the chaos experienced in Washington DC on Wednesday, Jan. 6, the coach said in the statement. That day, supporters of Donald Trump staged violent confrontations with the city’s security forces.
In addition, they took over the Capitol and broke into Congress.
“I was flattered by the offer out of respect for the honor and admiration the previous recipients represent. But last week’s tragic events occurred and it has been decided not to proceed with the awardWrote the coach.
Above all, I am an American citizen with great respect for the values, freedom and democracy of our country.
(You can also read: Trump says his pre-Capitol speech was appropriate.)
“One of the most rewarding things in my professional career happened in 2020 when, through great leadership within our team, conversations about social justice, equality and human rights emerged and turned into action”, He concluded.
Continuing these efforts, while remaining true to the people, the team and the country I love, outweigh the benefits of an individual award.
Bill Belichick, HC of the Patriots, will not travel to Washington and accept the Presidential Medal of Freedom, he announced today. pic.twitter.com/uvLLigFlHU
– Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 12, 2021
(Can you visit us from the app? You can see the publication here).
(You might be interested: Toward the inevitable end of his term, Trump is visiting a wall in Texas).
Who is Bill Belichick?
Belichick, 68, has just finished his 46th season in the NFL and his 21st as the head coach of the Patriots.
Under his leadership, the Patriots have won six Super Bowl championships, joining George Halas and Curly Lambeau as the only coaches with six titles since 1933.
Belichick’s 311 wins (scored in the regular season and playoffs) is the best third digit of all time, behind Don Shula (347) and George Halas (324).
(Also: Parler, the social network used by Trump supporters).
Belichick’s connection to Trump was in the news days before the latter was elected president in November 2016.
At a campaign rally in Manchester, New Hampshire, Trump read a letter to the crowd that he said Belichick had sent him.
According to Trump, the letter read: “Congratulations on a great campaign. You’ve dealt with incredibly biased and negative media. Still, you turned out great. You have proven to be the best competitor and fighter. Your leadership is great. “
I’ve always had a lot of respect for you, but the toughness and persistence you showed this year (2016) is remarkable
“We hope the election results provide an opportunity to make America great again. My best wishes. Bill Belichick, ”concluded the letter President Trump read.
(Also read: What is known about the meeting between Trump and Pence in the White House?).
The sender later told reporters that he wrote the letter out of friendship and loyalty: “Our friendship goes back many years and I believe that anyone who has spent more than five minutes with me knows that I am not a political person“, The coach clarified at the time.
The comments are not politically motivated. I have friendship and loyalty with Donald
What Does the Presidential Medal of Freedom Mean?
The Presidential Medal of Freedom was established in 1963 by John F. Kennedy and is awarded by the President of the United States to individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the security of the country’s national interests, to world peace or culture, with significant contributions in the public or private sector.
(Also Read: Radical Forums Prepare New Shooting of the US Capitol, According to FBI).
Trump had recently selected several sports figures and political backers for the honor, including Belichick. Others were Annika Sorenstam, Gary Player (Hall of Fame golfers) and Babe Didrikson Zaharias (late Olympian), who received the Presidential Medal of Freedom on Thursday, January 7.
Trends AGAIN
* With information from EFE