New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick will not take part in a White House ceremony honoring him with the presidential Medal of Freedom this week, he said on Monday.
In a statement obtained by ESPN, the Patriots head coach said while he was “flattered” by the honor, he cited the events of last week’s violent riots at the U.S. Capitol as a reason for his decision to decline the award.
“Subsequently, the tragic events of last week occurred and the decision has been made not to move forward with the award,” Belichick said in the statement. “Above all, I am an American citizen with great respect for our nation’s values, freedom and democracy.”
Patriots’ HC Bill Belichick will not be traveling to Washington nor accepting the Presidential Medal of Freedom, he announced today. pic.twitter.com/uvLLigFlHU
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 12, 2021
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New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick turns down Medal of Freedom from Trump https://t.co/uj9hbRFtaV pic.twitter.com/N9d7fzp0YI
— The Hill (@thehill) January 12, 2021
Trump gives Medal of Freedom to House ally Jim Jordan https://t.co/i6lRtTEy0q pic.twitter.com/MWoa33PlSw
— The Hill (@thehill) January 12, 2021
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