Trump to award Bill Belichick with Presidential Medal of Freedom
President Donald Trump is planning to award the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Patriots head coach Bill Belichick this week.
WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 19: U.S. President Donald Trump (C) 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)
Chip Somodevilla/Getty ImagesBy Matt Dolloff, 985TheSportsHub.com
Patriots head coach Bill Belichick is set to receive one of the most prestigious awards in the United States this week. According to Meridith McGraw of Politico, President Donald Trump is planning to present Belichick with the Presidential Medal of Freedom on Thursday.
The Medal of Freedom is the highest honor that a civilian can receive in the U.S. Trump alone has given the award to 24 people during his time in office, including several famous sports figures. Notable recipients in sports from the Trump administration include Celtics legend Bob Cousy, Lakers legend Jerry West, baseball Hall of Famer Mariano Rivera, football Hall of Famer Roger Staubach, and golfers Tiger Woods, Annika Sorenstam, and Gary Player. He also awarded the honor posthumously to baseball legend Babe Ruth in 2018.
Trump will additionally give the honor to Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) on Monday and plans to visit Alamo, Texas on Tuesday.
The president's plans come in the aftermath of a massive crowd of Trump supporters storming the U.S. Capitol last Wednesday, an event that has prompted pushes to remove Trump from office before President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration on Jan. 20. The violent clash resulted in five deaths, including two Capitol police officers.
According to the Washington Post, House Democrats are expected to introduce an article of impeachment on Monday seeking charges of "incitement of insurrection" against Trump. They could vote to impeach the president as soon as Wednesday.
Belichick and the Patriots have yet to comment on the matter as of this writing.
Matt Dolloff is a digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Yell at him on Twitter @mattdolloff or send him a nasty email at matthew.dolloff@bbgi.com.
