AWARDS/NFL/SPORTS: “New England Patriots Coach Bill Belichick said in a statement Monday that he had turned down the opportunity to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Trump because of the ‘tragic events of last week,’ a reference to the rampage at the Capitol.
In a statement, Belichick said he was flattered to be nominated for the award, the highest civilian honor in the country, because of its past recipients. But he said he has great reverence for ‘our nation’s values,’ represents his family and the Patriots, and has worked with his players to combat social injustice.”
-Ken Belson, “Patriots’ Belichick Declines Honor From Trump,” newyorktimes.com, Jan. 11, 2021