NFLPA executive director lauds Bill Belichick’s decision to decline Trump’s invitation

DeMaurice Smith defended Bill Belichick’s decision to not accept the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Donald Trump, calling Belichick’s position “extremely important.”

Smith, Executive Director of the National Football League Players Association, commended Belichick for taking a strong stance.

“Frankly, I thought his statement was spot on,” Smith told reporters Tuesday.

In the statement issued Monday night, Belichick said he was “flattered” by the invitation out of respect for what the honor represents. After the Capitol riot, however, he decided the time wasn’t right to accept the medal.

“Above all, I am an American citizen with great reverence for our nation’s values, freedom, and democracy,” Belichick included in his statement. “I know I also represent my family and the New England Patriots team.”

Belichick and Trump have been friends for decades, and Belichick wrote a letter in favor of Trump during Trump’s successful campaign in 2016. Even so, many clamored for Belichick to decline this offer, and that’s what he did.

Smith, along with former Patriot Tedy Bruschi and countless others, credited him for making what they believe is the right choice.