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Every Patriots fan can exhale now. Relax. It’s cool now. We don’t need to go and look for another team to support.
Bill Belichick did us liberal Patriots fans a favour on Monday by declining the offer of the Presidential Medal of Freedom from soon-to-be-removed President Donald Trump, stating that Trump’s inciting of last Wednesday’s Capitol debacle as a reason.
“Recently, I was offered the opportunity to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, which I was flattered by out of respect for what the honour represents and admiration for prior recipients,” Bill said. “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.
“One of the most rewarding things in my professional career took place in 2020 when, through great leadership within our team, conversations about social justice, equality, and human rights moved to the forefront and became actions. Continuing those efforts while remaining true to the people, team, and country I love, outweigh the benefits of any individual award.”
It has previously been noted by people, as well as exclaimed by Trump, that he is close to the Patriots organisation and has a friendly relationship with Belichick, Tom Brady, and even Robert Kraft, but whether through beliefs of their own or the pressures Trump brings, it appears the trio would rather distance themselves from the President.
Can you blame them?
Trump has formally been banned from Facebook, Instagram, and his beloved Twitter for spouting lies and sedition. Last Wednesday’s riotous invasion of The Capitol lies directly at his feet, so do the deaths suffered, and the Democrats are firing up a second impeachment of the President.
An organisation in as dire straits as the Patriots can’t be adding fuel to the fire of their demise considering their already tenuous reputation across the league and its fans. Bill accepting that award would have been like pouring on pure gasoline, causing some fans to abandon the team, and even several players.
All of that may be me being cynical and that Bill and the Patriots believe in the democracy America espouses, but hey, it’s America – you never know.
Right now, though, the Patriots need to focus on a rebuild as this season has been disastrous. Losing Tom Brady to Tampa after behind-closed-doors politics has hit the franchise hard as we were forced to see game-after-game without his ability to elevate those around him. Couple that with the opt-outs from the likes of Dont’a Hightower and Patrick Chung due to Covid fears, and you see an organisation that has really been a shadow of the dominating empire it was before.
Despite his impeccable work ethic, his positive attitude on the practice field, and his questionable dress sense, the Cam Newton experiment fell flat and New England will look elsewhere for a QB (another article to come), and on top of that New England failed to address any of their other needs during free agency – specifically a deep threat…
So yeah, maybe avoiding the controversy of Donald Trump is a good thing. Focus on the rebuild, focus on the Draft, focus on next season.
Focus on football, Bill.
