Belichick proves he’s a true Patriot

Through the marvelous ride to six Super Bowl titles, New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick has always prioritized the team over whatever personal honors he and his players amassed.

You might say with his decision not to accept the Presidential Medal of Freedom Award from our embattled, soon-to-be-former commander in chief, he again chose team over individual recognition.

Belichick has projected an imperialistic, impersonal public persona during his two-decade tenure as Patriots coach. That gruff, nononsense exterior has become a familiar façade, especially to the majority of the media seeking to extract nuggets of insight from the seemingly immutable Patriots field general.

But that hidden humanity and awareness of the world beyond the Xs and Os of a football playbook were evident Monday night in his thanks-but-no thanks statement — forwarded by the Patriots organization to the Associated Press — which read in part: “remaining true to the people, team and country I love outweigh the benefits of any individual award.”

And this was no ordinary award.

Established by President John F. Kennedy in 1963, the Presidential Medal of Freedom is conferred by the president on individuals who have made “an especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace, cultural or other significant public or private endeavors,” and is — along with the Congressional Gold Medal — one of the two highest civilian awards this nation can bestow.

President Donald Trump, unlike former office holders, has awarded this unique distinction primarily to members of the sports world.

Had Belichick accepted, he would have joined a list of luminaries that includes Tiger Woods, Babe Ruth, Roger Staubach, Lou Holtz, Mariano Rivera, Jerry West, Babe Didrickson Zaharias, Gary Player, and Anna Sorenstam.

Undoubtedly, Belichick came to this decision after some serious soul-searching.

It’s no secret that he and Patriots owner Robert Kraft have been unabashed Trump fans.

Belichick even wrote Trump a letter of support that the candidate made public the night before the 2016 election at a New Hampshire rally, right in the heart of Patriot Nation.

But after last week’s assault on our democracy, perpetrated by a mob of anarchists incited in part by Trump’s incendiary rhetoric, Belichick chose his love for this nation and the ideals for which it stands over this deserved honor.

“I was flattered…out of respect for what the honor represents and admiration for prior recipients,” Belichick said in his statement.

“Subsequently, the tragic events of last week occurred and the decision has been made not to move forward with the award. Above all, I am an American citizen with great reverence for our nation’s values, freedom and democracy.

I know I also represent my family and the New England Patriots team.”

We’re sure he realized that his late father Steve, who served in the Navy during World War II and as an assistant college football coach at the U.S. Naval Academy for 34 years, would wholeheartedly agree with his son’s decision.

The Patriots certainly haven’t cultivated many friends beyond New England during their dominating play of the last 20 years. And those detractors — including some within Patriot Nation — might believe Belichick’s refusal decision smacks of convenience rather than conviction.

But everyone can evolve, even a 68-year-old, often curmudgeonly pro football coach.

He learned to listen — at least to his players, the majority African-american — during the Black Lives Matter aftermath of the George Floyd police homicide.

And who knows, maybe Joe Biden will offer

Belichick that medal, but this time for the right reason.