New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick made probably the best decision he could in refusing to accept the prestigious Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Donald J. Trump.

I'm sure Belichick was honored by the consideration, believed he was worthy of the recognition and would have loved to go to Washington on Thursday to accept the award. But as Belichick knows well, sometimes you have to pick your battles to live to fight another day.

I don't have to get into Bill Belichick's qualifications for the award. Those who respect his abilities know he deserves the recognition. Those who do not appreciate Belichick or the New England Patriots organization will never be convinced, so why try?

The issue here, however, is not Belichick – it's Donald Trump. The deranged anti-Trumpers, in their perverse cancel culture universe, are hell-bent on making life miserable for anyone who doesn't hate Trump as much as they do. Belichick doesn't need the aggravation. He is also smart enough not to play into their hand.

Always one to play beneath radar detection, to the degree possible, Belichick knows he would never have peace again if he were to accept the Medal of Freedom from Trump. He might never be able to coach football again. He and Trump are friends and will likely always be friends.

By refusing the award, Belichick will continue coaching football without a circus of judgemental detractors harassing him or attempting to have him kicked out of the sport for not being just another woke fool like they are.

While I would love to see Belichick tell the world to blankety-blank themselves and accept the Medal of Freedom from Trump, I get it and understand that it is probably the best decision for Belichick and his future.

Barry Richard is the host of The Barry Richard Show on 1420 WBSM New Bedford. He can be heard weekdays from noon to 3 p.m. Contact him at barry@wbsm.com and follow him on Twitter @BarryJRichard58. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author.

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