All American sports fans were thrilled last week when both the USA men’s and women’s hockey teams each won gold medals in the Winter Olympics.
USA goalie Connor Hellebuyck’s play, in particular, was outstanding throughout the competition, including in the gold medal overtime 2-1 win against Canada.
President Trump was so impressed by Hellebuyck that he announced at his annual State of the Union address last Tuesday that he was awarding the goalie the Presidential Medal of Freedom, which is the highest civilian honor in this country.
We at NFL Alumni salute the 32-year-old Michigan native. He joins NFL royalty– Roger Staubach, Alan Page, and the late Byron (Whizzer) White– who were honored with the Medal of Freedom in previous years. Both Staubach and Page are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Both Staubach and Page in 2018 were the recipients of the medal during Trump’s first term in office. No one best known for playing football had received the honor before. Supreme Court Justice White, a Navy veteran, was recognized, in good part, due to his long service (1962-1993) on the country’s highest court. The Medal was awarded posthumously to Justice White in 2003 by President George W. Bush. The Justice died the previous year.
Staubach won the Heisman Trophy at Navy and then served in the military for five years before beginning his NFL career with the Cowboys. His military service included a one-year tour of duty in Vietnam.
Page attended the University of Minnesota Law School during the offseason while playing for the Vikings and Bears. He practiced law and eventually became the first African-American to serve on the Minnesota Supreme Court.
All these individuals deserve the respect and recognition they receive as role models in this country.
