President Donald Trump has appointed Patriots head coach Bill Belichick as a member on his Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition, according to the White House official website.
Trump also appointed former NFL running back Herschel Walker, Hall of Fame ex-Yankees pitcher Mariano Rivera, and three-time Olympics gold medalist Misty May-Treanor of the U.S. women’s beach volleyball team as co-chairs and members. Also among the 21 additional members are former Red Sox and Yankees outfielder Johnny Damon, actor Lou Ferrigno, and Dr. Mehmet Oz.
A recent report in the New York Times mentioned that the president also recently spent a “long time” on the phone with Belichick to talk about the status of quarterback Tom Brady.
Belichick and Pres. Trump’s relationship has been well-documented in recent years. The Patriots head coach reportedly sent a letter of support to the president just before the 2016 election.
WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 19: U.S. President Donald Trump listens to New England Patriots Head Coach Bill Belichick deliver remarks during an event celebrating the team’s Super Bowl win on the South Lawn at the White House April 19, 2017 in Washington, DC. It was the team’s fifth Super Bowl victory since 1960. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Originally founded in 1956 as the President’s Council on Youth Fitness, the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition “engages, educates, and empowers all Americans to adopt a healthy lifestyle that includes regular physical activity and good nutrition.”
Pres. Barack Obama renamed the organization in 2010 with an added emphasis on nutrition. In February, Pres. Trump signed an executive order to rename the organization with the words “sports” and “fitness” switched, shifting its focus to encourage children to increase participation in youth sports.
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