Patriots head coach Bill Belichick will not accept the Presidential Medal of Freedom later this week, the coach said in a statement Monday night.
Belichick said that the "tragic events of last week" made him decide "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," Belichick said in the statement. "I know I also represent my family and the New England Patriots team. One of the most rewarding things in my professional career took place in 2020 when, through the great leadership within our team, conversations about social justice, equality and human rights moved to the forefront and became actions.