Bill Belichick Declines Medal of Freedom

By Pacey Ely ‘22

Bill Belichick is widely regarded as one of the greatest coaches in NFL history with six Super Bowl wins as the head coach of the New England Patriots. On Jan. 10, he was offered the Presidential Medal of Freedom by former President Donald Trump. This is the highest civilian award in our country, and is in line with the Congressional Gold Medal. 
This is a seemingly odd choice, considering the Medal of Freedom is typically awarded to people with a different set of credentials, such as Rosa Parks or Mother Tereasa. While Belichick is regarded as a national treasure by some, it was widely considered a strange choice. That same day, Belichick turned down the medal, citing reasons surrounding the Capitol riot and how it was handled by former President Trump. 

“Trump did that as a publicity stunt to have more attention in the media,” junior Oren Ramer, combo guard for the Golda Och Academy Roadrunners, said.
Ramer does not know whether or not Belichick deserved the Medal but thinks that this was just a way for former President Trump to draw attention away from the Capitol riots that happened only a few days before. Ramer also believes that Belichick declined the medal because “he would have gotten a lot of hate from the media and fans, something that Belichick desperately does not want.” 
Junior Inbar Adiel, striker for the Golda Och Academy Roadrunners, took a more neutral stance on the topic.
“I respect his decision in not accepting it,” Adiel said though he thought it fine that Belichick was offered the Medal.
It appears that among the students at GOA, there are differing opinions on the topic, but most can agree that Belichick’s decision to decline the award was correct. We now collectively look towards the future and what it has in store for us with the beginning of a new President’s term.