Outgoing U.S. President Donald Trump will reportedly award New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, as per ESPN‘s Mike Reiss. The news came amid the House's call for Trump's impeachment due to the recent attack at the U.S. Capitol.
The Presidential Medal of Freedom was first established in 1963 by former U.S. President John F. Kennedy. It serves as an honor awarded to notable individuals who have made significant contributions to America across various fields, whether in the public or private sector.
Bill Belichick will join a bevy of well-known personalities from the sports industry who were previously awarded the honor by former U.S. Presidents namely Tiger Woods, Babe Ruth, and Michael Jordan, among others.
Donald Trump recently found himself in headlines after the attack on the U.S. Capitol made by his supporters as the Congress was in the process of instating president-elect Joe Biden into office. In response to the situation, the U.S. House of Representatives then put pressure on Trump to step down from his position before the designated end of his term on Jan. 20.
On the other hand, Belichick recently concluded his 46th campaign in the league. He has already served 21 seasons with the New England Patriots since the 2000 season where he amassed a total of six Super Bowl championships with the franchise as its head coach.
The two individuals along with Patriots team owner Robert Kraft have all been good friends ever since. Belichick was appointed by Donald Trump as the President's Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition back in 2018 and re-appointed to serve his second term in the position in December of 2020.
The Patriots ended the 2020 NFL regular season with a 7-9 record.