President Donald J. Trump hosts the New England Patriots at the White House to celebrate their championship victory, Wednesday, April 19, 2017.
The New England Patriot's coach Bill Belichick and their owner Robert Kraft have been friends with Trump for years, but in this current climate any association with Trump is damaging. So when reports came that Belichick was going to get one of those Trumpy awards (Presidential Medal of Freedom) there was some outcry in the local media of Boston that he should not accept, and today he did just that, refused the award. A sign of just how toxic Trump has become.
Source: Wall Street Journal
New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick said he will not receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Trump in the wake of the riots last week at the U.S. Capitol.
Belichick, who has previously spoken publicly about his friendship with the president, was set to receive the nation’s highest civilian honor after Trump offered it over a week ago. That was before a mob of the president’s supporters laid siege to the Capitol, leaving five people dead.
“Recently, I was offered the opportunity to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, which I was flattered by out of respect for what the honor represents and admiration for prior recipients,” Belichick said in a statement. “Subsequently, the tragic events of last week occurred and the decision has been made not to move forward with the award.”
News of the offer to Belichick only emerged Sunday, prompting questions over whether the most accomplished coach in football history would stand by his friend amid the controversy.
Patriots’ HC Bill Belichick will not be traveling to Washington nor accepting the Presidential Medal of Freedom, he announced today. pic.twitter.com/uvLLigFlHU
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 12, 2021
as if the last 4 years weren’t painful enough, now I have to like Bill fucking Belichick too? https://t.co/zoq7qh0wXJ
— shauna (@goldengateblond) January 12, 2021
As if this week couldn’t get any stranger I now find myself with great respect for Bill Belichick. https://t.co/P7ZJs8ejbh
— Jordan Klepper (@jordanklepper) January 12, 2021
