Donald Trump plans to award Presidential Medal of Freedom to New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick, per reports
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — President Donald Trump ideas to award New England Patriots coach Monthly bill Belichick the Presidential Medal of Independence on Thursday, according to various experiences.
A spokesperson for the Patriots did not answer to a ask for for comment.
The Presidential Medal of Independence was founded by John F. Kennedy in 1963, and it is awarded by the president to individuals who have made excellent contributions to the security of countrywide interests of The us, to globe peace or to cultural of other sizeable general public or personal endeavors.
The honor for Belichick arrives as the U.S. Dwelling of Associates is escalating tension to drive Trump from office environment right before the finish of his expression on Jan. 20, after Trump incited a mob that attacked the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday when Congress was in the process of confirming Joe Biden as his successor.
Trump has recently picked quite a few athletics figures and political backers for the honor. Corridor of Fame golfers Annika Sorenstam and Gary Participant, along with the late Olympian Babe Didrikson Zaharias, gained the Presidential Medal of Independence on Thursday.
Belichick, sixty eight, just concluded his forty sixth year in the NFL and 21st as Patriots coach. He has led the Patriots to six Tremendous Bowl championships, signing up for George Halas and Curly Lambeau as the only coaches with six championships given that the league started postseason perform in 1933.
Belichick’s 311 victories (typical year and playoffs blended) are 3rd all time, powering Don Shula (347) and Halas (324).
Belichick’s link to Trump was in the information in the times right before Trump was elected as president in November 2016.
At a marketing campaign rally in Manchester, New Hampshire, Trump study a letter to the group that he mentioned Belichick sent to him.
The letter, according to Trump, study: “Congratulations on a tremendous marketing campaign. You have dealt with an unbelievable slanted and detrimental media and have occur out fantastically. You’ve got proved to be the ultimate competitor and fighter. Your leadership is amazing. I have always experienced tremendous regard for you, but the toughness and perseverance you have displayed above the earlier calendar year is impressive. Hopefully tomorrow’s election effects will give the prospect to make The us great all over again. Most effective wishes for great effects tomorrow. Monthly bill Belichick.”
Belichick later on advised reporters he wrote the letter out of friendship and loyalty.
“I have gained a quantity of inquiries relative to a take note that I wrote to Donald on Monday. Our friendship goes back numerous a long time and I consider any one which is invested more than 5 minutes with me knows I’m not a political man or woman. The reviews are not politically motivated. I have a friendship and loyalty to Donald,” he mentioned.
At the time, Belichick also observed the team experienced former Massachusetts Senator and Secretary of State John Kerry in its locker home a few months prior.
“Which is an additional buddy of mine. I won’t be able to envision two folks with more unique political views than those people two, but to me friendship and loyalty is just about that. It is really not about political or spiritual views,” Belichick mentioned that day.
“I generate hundreds of letters and notes each individual month won’t imply I agree with each individual solitary issue that each individual man or woman thinks about politics, religion or other subjects. I have various friendships that are vital to me. Which is what that was about.”
Belichick has served on the President’s Council on Sports activities, Fitness and Diet given that 2018.
Politico first noted Trump’s ideas to award Belichick the Medal of Independence.
