New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick said he would not receive President Trump’s Presidential Medal of Freedom after last week’s riots at the United States Capitol.
Belichick, who had previously spoken publicly about his friendship with the president, was chosen to receive the nation’s highest civilian tribute after Trump offered it a week ago. That was before a crowd of supporters of the president besieged the Capitol, leaving five dead.
“I recently received the opportunity to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, which flattered me out of respect for what honor represents and admiration for previous winners,” said Belichick in a statement. “Subsequently, the tragic events of the past week occurred and a decision was made not to proceed with the sentence.”
News of the offer to Belichick only surfaced on Sunday, raising questions about whether the most talented coach in football history would stand by his friend amid the controversy.
Although Belichick’s statement did not mention Trump by name, the decision amounts to a severe rebuke to a president who faced appeals from Democratic lawmakers and some Republicans to be removed from office. His decision came just days after Trump awarded the medal to Gary Player and Annika Sorenstam, two of the best golfers of all time. Player and Sorenstam faced criticism for joining the president after the recent events.