Yes, it is an extremely difficult decision, which requires an undeniable act of personal sacrifice. This is the nation’s highest civilian tribute, established by President John F. Kennedy in 1963 and awarded “to individuals who have made exceptional contributions to America’s national security or interests, world peace or cultural activities or other public entities. significant private efforts. ”
It is a very difficult thing to give up. But doing the right thing can be difficult. Hasn’t Belichick himself told us that all of his coaching life?
A 47-year race in the NFL and a 20-year term with the Patriots (a nickname that never seemed more ironic or more important) were built on the simple principle: the team comes above itself. That was how Belichick built a curriculum worthy of being considered the greatest of all time, the way he convinced generation after generation of players to adhere to his victories.
That single act of personal pride could cost you your locker room.
As risky as it would be under any circumstances for Belichick to apply for a photo opportunity with the same president who drew so many verbal battle lines with the NFL that we lost count and whose most infamous line drew those who dared to kneel during the national anthem “ motherfuckers ”who should be“ fired ”, he would probably get away with it.
But to do so in the wake of last week’s attack on the Capitol would be a slap in the face for his team, his players, his league, his franchise, all horrified by the insurrection and the role Trump played by inciting him.
This riot was encouraged and endorsed by a president still unwilling to accept the election results, a president facing a second impeachment, who was banned from all social media platforms for inciting violence, and who on Sunday lost PGA support America, which terminated its contract to host the 2022 PGA Championship at Trump Bedminster, New Jersey.
The riot included acts of disrespect for our flag that made the anthem’s protests pale in comparison – including the Confederacy flag being carried through the building’s hallways (an act that didn’t even happen during the Civil War) while Congress tried to certify the College Vote. Electoral. An American flag was pulled down, dropped on the floor and replaced with a Trump flag, reflecting the true loyalty of the crowd.
The riot changes everything. So even if Belichick accepted the tribute before them, which logic suggests may have happened, he had several days to change his mind. But Politico said on Sunday that Belichick would receive his honor on Thursday, and there was no statement from the Patriots, despite requests from all media.
It is a mistake that he cannot return from.
The NFL has spent most of this bizarre season altered by the pandemic by publicizing its advances in social justice movements. Commissioner Roger Goodell completely reversed the course on Colin Kaepernick, expressing regret that he did not hear what Kaepernick was saying about those initial acts of defiance to kneel, apologizing for Kaepernick’s final exclusion from the league. Belichick himself reflected on these initiatives in his season-ending press conference.
“I learned a lot about our players,” he said. “This has been a very educational year for all the social justice meetings and things that we had in the spring and that have continued into the season. I think our team did a great job. We had great leadership from Jason [McCourty]Devin [McCourty], Matt [Slater] and many others – Brandon King, guys who are involved in many, many different aspects of it.
“But, most importantly, just bringing awareness within the team to each other and to get to know each other and appreciate each other’s background, history and thoughts. And that was very, again, educational for me, as well as for everyone else. I think we all benefit from that and, again, from things that we did this year that will help us move forward. “
The Patriots need a review of the squad and have plenty of room for that. But are the potential free agents influenced by Belichick alongside Trump?
That is the risk he is taking. But it is one that he could easily mitigate by just saying “no”.
This is not a matter for the Patriots – the decision is exclusive to Belichick, an award granted to him as an ordinary citizen, not as an invitation to coach the champion team. Many Patriots, Devin McCourty the loudest among them, made it clear that they would not be visiting the Trump White House after the team’s last Super Bowl victory, and when the Patriots ended up not going anyway, the question was debatable.
But now it’s back. In the dying and challenging days of his term, Trump is determined to move the goals, to change the narrative in any way he can. This time, he is using his old friend Belichick, who would be wise to refuse. It is a mistake.
The Patriots are already the most hated franchise in the world. If that happens, even the locals will abandon them too.
Do not do it.
Tara Sullivan is a columnist for the Globe. She can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on twitter @Globe_Tara.