Sörenstam and Player had to endure some criticism for visiting the White House the day after the attack on the Capitol, but it was nothing against the storm of criticism that New England Patriots NFL coach Bill Belichick has endured.

Among the latest decisions from the outgoing US president is to reward Belichick with the Medal of Freedom.

Few would probably say that he is not worth it, he has still led the Patriots to six Super Bowl titles.

"Flattered"

"Recently, I was offered the President's Medal of Freedom, which I was flattered about," Belichick wrote in a statement, according to the AFP news agency.

He continues:

"After that, last week's tragic events occurred and I will therefore not proceed with the award."

When more and more of Trump's own party comrades blame the president for the storming of the Capitol and he risks being brought before a Supreme Court, it would have given the wrong signals to receive the medal, many believe.

"If Bill Belichick accepts the Medal of Freedom from this shameful White House occupier, he's dead to me.

Say that's not true, Bill.

I really hope it's fake news ", Boston Globes Bob Ryan wrote on Twitter, before the news came that Belichick was relinquishing the medal.

Difficult to recruit players

Belichick has previously openly sympathized with Trump, who during the 2016 election campaign showed a letter from Belichick in which he praised Trump's leadership.

It has not been on his plate during Trump's presidency.

Not until now.

"If Bill receives the award, it will be difficult for him in the locker room and in this community," Boston Globes' Dan Shaughnessy told Reuters.

Belichick needs the team's support as they now try to build a team without star Tom Brady.

It has not gone so well so far, the New England Patriots did not even go to the playoffs this season.

If Belichick had continued to show his sympathy for Trump, it would have been difficult for the Patriots to get players to the team, writes Boston Globes Tara Sullivan.

"Say thank you for the award, but then politely decline," she writes.

Distributed on Thursday

Former sports columnist Gerry Callahan said on Monday in his podcast, according to Reuters, that he did not believe Belichick would receive the medal.

- But if he does, would not it be a wonderfully defiant action?

said Callahan.

On Thursday, it was thought that Trump would hand out the freedom medal to Belichick.