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Why did Bill Belichick reject Medal of Freedom from Donald Trump? Patriots coach says he'll be 'true to the people'

'While remaining true to the people, team and country I love outweigh the benefits of any individual award,' he said

New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick said on January 11 that he will not "move forward" with the Presidential Medal of Freedom that President Donald Trump planned to present to him on January 7.

The six-time Super Bowl-winning coach said in a statement released on January 11 night that while he was “flattered” by the offer, the tragic events of last week occurred, and the decision has been made not to move forward with the award. "Above all, I am an American citizen with great reverence for our nation's values, freedom and democracy. I know I also represent my family and the New England Patriots team. One of the most rewarding things in my professional career took place in 2020 when, through the great leadership within our team, conversations about social justice, equality and human rights moved to the forefront and became actions. Continuing those efforts while remaining true to the people, team and country I love outweigh the benefits of any individual award."

Belichick has been a Trump supporter for a long time. He even wrote a letter of congratulations that Trump publicized on the campaign trail before he was elected president in 2016. Belichick has also served on the president's Council on Sports, Fitness and Nutrition since 2018. However, when word of Trump’s plans to award the Patriots coach the Medal of Freedom was first reported on January 10, just four days after thousands of Trump supporters attacked the US Capitol in a clash that resulted in five deaths, Belichick began facing significant public pressure to turn down the honor.

Golfers Gary Player and Annika Sorenstam received the Medal of Freedom on January 7 in a private White House ceremony. But Belichick ultimately declined.

As soon as the news made its way to social media, Internet users started appreciating Belichick, as one wrote, "WE ALL KNOW A RREEAALL AMERICAN PATRIOT DISAVOWS A SO LEADER THAT ATTACKS HIS OWN COUNTRY.!.!.!! Bill Belichick turns down Presidential Medal of Freedom from Donald Trump, cites Capitol attack..."" While another one said, "Never cared for Bill Belichick, but I respect the sh*t out of him for this!!"

Hoping the best for him, another one said, "@BelichickFDN please pass this message on to Bill Belichick - thank you for being a REAL patriot and standing up to Trump’s traitorous agenda. You deserve a medal but not this one. It’s become meaningless. I hope you get a real medal by a real President." Appreciating him, another one said, "I am not a Bill Belichick fan but the fact that he declined the Presidential Medal of Freedom from Trump will definitely make me rethink my destain for him. Way to go cut sleeve sweatshirt dude."

Soon, more and more people went online to appreciate Belichick. "Proud of Bill Belichick for declining the Medal of Freedom from Trump! Integrity matters!" one said and another added, "Thank you Bill Belichick for picking country over the party!"