President Trump honored legendary Notre Dame football coach Lou Holtz with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Holtz is “one of the greatest coaches in American history,” Trump said during the ceremony on Thursday, adding, “He’s really a life teacher.”
The 83-year-old former coach and fervent Trump supporter said he was proud to receive the award, especially because Trump was the president to give him the honor.
“I’m even prouder to receive it from President Donald Trump,” said Holtz, adding that Trump is the “greatest president in my lifetime.”
Coach Lou Holtz: President @realDonaldTrump is the greatest President of my lifetime pic.twitter.com/s2pQzgKAr3
— Team Trump (@TeamTrump) December 3, 2020
Holtz also joined Fox & Friends before the ceremony and said he was “humbled.”
“It’s the highest honor or award you could possibly receive, and I receive it with mixed emotions. First of all, I’m humbled,” Holtz told Fox News’s Brian Kilmeade. “There are many more people far worthy than me, I can assure you. Nobody is more appreciative than me. So, I’m excited to have this opportunity, and at the same time, I’m excited to receive it from President Trump. The president I admire and respect. I think he did a tremendous job.”
“I’m sad he’s not going to be with us for another four years because he has done so much for this country, and he really cares about it, so I stand here very proudly to accept this award from President Trump,” said Holtz.
Holtz, who also coached the New York Jets in 1976 to a 3-10 record, added that the country needs Trump for another four years.
“I think we need him,” said Holtz.
“It’s unbelievable what he went through for four years overall. The mischaracterization about Russia, Russia, Russia, and the impeachment, etc. I mean, he fought it for four years and what he did for this country was fantastic. He … the COVID hurt the economy, there’s no doubt about it, but what he did was nothing short of amazing, and I think he would definitely go down as one of the great presidents in my lifetime.”
