Donald Trump hosted Bill Belichick's Patriots at the White House after their Super Bowl win in '17GETTY IMAGES
Patriots coach BILL BELICHICK's decision to turn down the Presidential Medal of Freedom from PRESIDENT TRUMP was discussed this morning on all three network morning shows -- as well as some of last night's cable news shows -- and a "lot of people are applauding coach Belichick today," according to CBS' Vladimir Duthiers. The White House had no comment on the decision despite Belichick being a "friend of the President." CBS' Anthony Mason notes Belichick was “under a lot of pressure” about accepting the award, which was announced Sunday night and was scheduled for Thursday. Mason: "There were a lot of people being very vocal, and I’m sure he heard them” (“CBS This Morning,” 1/12). ABC’s George Stephanopoulos also referred to Belichick as Trump's “friend.” ABC’s Mary Bruce said, “Dozens of major businesses are also cutting ties with Trump and his allies. Even his personal friends are taking a step back” (“GMA,” ABC, 1/12). NBC’s Stephanie Gosk notes some critics called Trump's plan a "stunt to distract from the violence on Capitol Hill, while others had urged Belichick not to accept” (“Today,” NBC, 1/12). CNN’s Chris Cuomo last night said, “It was one kind of leader who took a stand today. The head of a football team -- no irony -- named the Patriots, Bill Belichick, said, ‘Awesome opportunity to get the Medal of Freedom … I’m not going to take it, not as an American’” (“Cuomo Prime Time,” CNN, 1/11). CNN’s Anderson Cooper: “First that decision by the PGA to abandon a prestigious tournament at one of the President's clubs, and now this” (“Anderson Cooper 360,” CNN, 1/11).
MAKING THE RIGHT CHOICE: In Boston, Joan Vennochi writes people referring to Belichick's decision to turn down the award "could call it ... the right choice." Belichick has "made no secret of his support" for Trump, but that was "before the Jan. 6 assault on the Capitol." Belichick "understood that after Jan. 6, there’s no middle ground with Trump." He "could not let Trump hang that medal around his neck and still exemplify those values." It "would weigh him down and tarnish him forever, with his players and the world" (BOSTON GLOBE, 1/12). Also in Boston, Tara Sullivan writes the honor is a "very hard thing to give up," but doing the right thing "can be hard." Given the "extraordinary times in which we are living," this was "absolutely the right thing to do." Belichick now "stands tall with a tangible example that he lives by the same credo with which he coaches: Team above self." This "single act of personal pride could have cost him his locker room" (BOSTON GLOBE, 1/12).
PROTECTING PLAYER RELATIONSHIPS: In Boston, Karen Guregian writes Belichick "thought about what was right for him" in the wake of last week's events, and did "what was right for him, was right for the Patriots." During the season, Belichick "took part in conversations with his players on Mondays, discussing human rights and equality issues that were important to them." He "knows what message it would have sent if he ignored and dismissed those conversations." He "couldn’t accept that award, and also be loyal to the players who helped him win six championships." Even though some have argued that it was "important to separate the award from the president, that was still tough sledding for Belichick to negotiate" (BOSTON HERALD, 1/12). In DC, Sally Jenkins writes Belichick accepting the medal from Trump "under these circumstances would have been to normalize if not tacitly affirm them." Jenkins: "It’s unfortunate because Belichick deserves high honor from a president. But Belichick clearly saw he could not claim this one without ruining himself, defacing his place in the game’s history and destroying his standing with players he respects and even loves" (WASHINGTON POST, 1/12).
ESCAPING BLOW TO REPUTATION: USA TODAY's Nancy Armour writes Belichick is "one of the shrewdest coaches there is." As such, he "had to know" both that Trump was "trying to use the Medal of Freedom presentation as a smokescreen, and that his reputation would never recover if he went along with it." He "would never again be able to command the respect of his locker room, and the tight-fisted control he has wielded so successfully for more than two decades would evaporate." There is "no doubt Belichick would have been proud to accept it under different circumstances." But to do so now "would be seen as an expression of support for Trump and his monstrous actions, and that association would taint Belichick forever." It also "would make a farce of the NFL’s social justice efforts" (USA TODAY, 1/12). FS1’s Shannon Sharpe said Belichick “realized President Trump was trying to use him as a pawn." FS1’s Skip Bayless: “Good for Bill Belichick. He couldn’t accept this on so many levels, and I believe he knew he couldn’t” (“Undisputed,” FS1, 1/12).
