Trump honors Lou Holtz with Presidential Medal of Freedom



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President Trump on Thursday honored legendary college football coach Lou Holtz with the Presidential Medal of Freedom – the country’s highest civilian honor.

Trump held the ceremony in the Oval Office of the White House. Senator Lindsey Graham, RS.C., and Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe were on hand to attend the honor.

President Donald Trump presents the Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor, to former college football coach Lou Holtz at the White House on Thursday, December 3, 2020, in Washington.  Holtz had a rich 34-year coaching career, which included winning the national title in 1988 at the University of Notre Dame.  (AP Photo / Evan Vucci)

President Donald Trump presents the Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor, to former college football coach Lou Holtz at the White House on Thursday, December 3, 2020, in Washington. Holtz had a rich 34-year coaching career, which included winning the national title in 1988 at the University of Notre Dame. (AP Photo / Evan Vucci)

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Hours before receiving the medal, Holtz appeared on “Fox & Friends” and spoke about what it means for him to receive the award.

“This is the highest honor or award you could ever receive and I receive it with mixed emotions. First of all, I’m honored, ”Holtz told host Brian Kilmeade. “There are many more worthy people than I am, I can assure you. No one is more grateful than me. So, I am delighted to have this opportunity and at the same time, I am delighted to receive it from President Trump. The president whom I admire and respect. I think he did a great job. “

He continued, “I’m sad that he’s not with us for another four years because he’s done so much for this country and he really cares about that, so I’m very proud to accept this award from President Trump.

The 83-year-old was a member of Kent State University’s Reserve Officer Training Corps and was a field officer in the U.S. Army Reserve before entering football.

President Donald Trump prepares to bestow the Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor, to former college football coach Lou Holtz at the White House on Thursday, December 3, 2020, in Washington.  Holtz had a rich 34-year coaching career, which included winning the national title in 1988 at the University of Notre Dame.  (AP Photo / Evan Vucci)

President Donald Trump prepares to bestow the Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor, to former college football coach Lou Holtz at the White House on Thursday, December 3, 2020, in Washington. Holtz had a rich 34-year coaching career, which included winning the national title in 1988 at the University of Notre Dame. (AP Photo / Evan Vucci)

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Holtz is a staunch Trump supporter who spoke at the Republican National Convention in August, declaring the president a consistent winner and an outstanding leader who deserved re-election. He told Kilmeade on Thursday that he would like to see four more years of Trump, despite the incumbent losing the election.

“I think we need him,” said Holtz, who was also battled with the coronavirus last month.

“It’s amazing what he’s been through for a total of four years. The misinterpretation of Russia, Russia, Russia and impeachment etc. I mean he fought it for four years and what he did for this country was fantastic. He … COVID has hurt the economy, no doubt about it, but what he did was just amazing and I think he would definitely be one of the great presidents in my life.

Head football coach in Arkansas, Notre Dame and South Carolina, Holtz was a college football coach for 33 years. He was the head coach of the Fighting Irish for 11 seasons from 1986 to 1996, where he finished with a record of 110-30-2.

In 1988, Notre Dame finished with a perfect 12-0 record and won the Fiesta Bowl and won its last national championship. The Fighting Irish finished as the No.1 team in the Top 25 AP.

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He also had a brief stint in the NFL with the New York Jets.

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