JAKARTA - Head coach of the New England Patriots, the National Football League (NFL) club, Bill Belichick, announced he would reject the Presidential Medal of Freedom that President Donald Trump plans to give, Thursday, January 14 local time.
Belichick's reason was that he was disappointed by the rioting carried out by Donald Trump's supporters on Capitol Hill on Wednesday last week. The rioting also left five people dead, including a DC policeman.
"I was offered the opportunity to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom which makes me flattered, because it respects what was achieved by the previous recipient," Belichick said in his statement as reported by CNN, Tuesday, January 12.
"Furthermore, the tragic events of last week occurred. And, the decision has been made not to continue the award. Above all, I am a US citizen who has great respect for the values, freedom and democracy of our nation," he said.
Belichick also said that he also represented the family and the New England Patriots Team. The White House claimed to have known about this rejection.
Joining the Patriots since 2000, Belichick has presented six Super Bowl titles for the Patriots, namely in 2001, 2003, 2004, 2014, 2016 and 2018. This is a record for a head coach in the NFL.
In 2016, Belichick sent a letter of support to Donald Trump. He claims to be friends with Donald Trump, not politically motivated.
Donald Trump's awarding of the Presidential Medal of Freedom over the past few years has drawn criticism. Because, he gave the award to his allies financially, politically or simply old friends.
In the past four years, Trump has often invited colleagues, political donors to athletes close to him to ride Marine One, tours to Lincoln's Bedroom at the White House after dinner, and the submission of the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Throughout January 2021 alone, he has awarded five Presidential Medals of Freedom, the same amount he gave throughout 2020. Three of the recipients were sports athletes, namely Mildred Ella 'Babe' Didrikson Zaharias, Gary Player and Annika Sorenstam. Meanwhile, two more were given to Trump's Republican colleagues, namely Devin Nunes and Jim Jordan.
"This president has mocked the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Look who he's given it to in the last few weeks. Please, Bill Belichick has to do the right thing and say no thanks," said Democrats Massachusetts Senator Jim McGovern.
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