Nation’s highest civilian award – President Trump on Thursday honored veteran college-led football coach Lou Holtz with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Trump held the ceremony at the Oval Office Fees at the White House. Sen. Lindsay Graham, RSC, and National Intelligence Director John Ratcliffe were present to witness the honor.
President Donald Trump presented the medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor, to former college football coach L Hol Holtz at the White House on Thursday, December 3, 2020 in Washington. Holtz had a 34-year coaching career, including winning a national title at the University of Notre Dame in 1988. (AP Photo / Evan Wuchi)
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Hours before receiving the medal, Holtz appeared on “Fox and Friends” and talked about what it means for him to receive the award.
“This is probably the highest honor or award you can receive and I receive it with mixed feelings. First of all, I am humble, “Holtz told host Brian Kilmed.” There are many more deserving people than I can assure you. There is no one more appreciative than me. I’m excited to receive that from President Trump. President I appreciate and respect. I think he has done a tremendous job. “
He added: “I am sad that he will not be with us for another four years because he has done so much for this country and he really cares.
The 83-year-old was a member of Kent State University’s Army Reserve Officers Training Corps and served as a field officer in the U.S. Army Reserve before entering football.
President Donald Trump prepares to confer the highest civilian honor, the Freedom Medal, on former college football coach L Hol Holtz at the White House on Thursday, December 3, 2020 in Washington. Holtz had a 34-year coaching career, including winning a national title at the University of Notre Dame in 1988. (AP Photo / Evan Wuchi)
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Holtz is a staunch supporter of Trump who declared the president a consistent winner and outstanding leader at the Republican National Convention in August, who will be chosen. He told Kilmide on Thursday that he wanted to see Trump for another four years despite losing the election.
“I think we need it,” said Holtz, who also fought the coronavirus last month.
“All in all, what he went through for four years is incredible. Misconduct about Russia, Russia, Russia and impeachment etc. I mean he fought those four years and what he did for this country was fantastic. He … COVID hurt the economy, no doubt about it, but what he did was nothing short of amazing and I think he will definitely go down as a great president in my lifetime. “
Holtz coached college football in Arkansas, Notre Dame and South Carolina for 33 years. He was the head coach of Fighting Irish for 11 seasons from 1986 to 1996, where he finished with a 110-30-2 record.
In 1988, Notre Dame finished with a perfect 12-0 record and claimed the Fiesta Bowl and won their last national championship. Fighting Irish AP finished as the No. 1 team in the top 25.
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He also had a short time in the NFL with the New York Jets.
