Top football coach Bill Belichick says he will not accept President Donald Trump’s offer of the Presidential Medal of Freedom. According to the coach, he said it will be wrong for him to accept the medal following Trump’s role in the US Capitol riot.
The football coach is the manager of the New England Patriots, he said he was flattered when he was first offered the medal the top award given to civilians in the US.
But he said he changed his mind after a mob of Trump supporters stormed Congress last week. The supporter carried out a protest following Trump’s orders, the protest resulted in the death of five people.
The football coach had previously spoken of his friendship with Mr Trump. He said: “Recently, I was offered the opportunity to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, which I was flattered by out of respect for what the honour represents and admiration for prior recipients.”
“Subsequently, the tragic events of last week occurred and the decision has been made not to move forward with the award.” Belichick, who has won a record six Super Bowl titles, is considered one of the most successful coaches in NFL history.
The Presidential Medal of Freedom recognises individuals who have made outstanding contributions to “the security or national interests of America”.
In 2019 Trump awarded a golfer Tiger Woods with the same award he also awarded radio personality Rush Limbaugh and posthumously Elvis Presley.