President Trump honored the 84-year-old legendary football coach Lou Holtz with the Presidential Medal of Freedom at the White House on Thursday. In a speech before awarding the medal, the President praised Holtz as one of the greatest titans in American football history.
“He is one of the greatest titans in American football history and his towering reputation will endure forever in the chronicles of athletics. But more importantly, in the chronicles of life because he is a life teacher, that’s what he is, he is a life teacher. He teaches people how to live and how to live properly and how to live with dignity.”
The presidential medal of freedom is the highest civilian honor in the country. It is awarded to individuals who have made especially meritorious contributions to the national interests of the United States. Upon accepting the honor, Holtz praised President Trump in a speech.
“Thank you, Mr. President. I’m humbled by the various comments and the opportunity to receive this award. I want to assure you how proud I am, not only to receive the award, I am even prouder to receive it from President Donald Trump. Who I think he is the greatest president during my lifetime and the things you have done for this country, giving people the opportunity,” said Holtz
Holtz hails from West Virginia and has been a professional coach for college football for 34 years. His achievements include 249 wins, 12 bowl game victories, and a national championship.
Outside of coaching, Holtz is also a philanthropist, an author, and a retired Army reserves officer. He spoke at the Republican National Convention earlier this year, where he endorsed President Trump for reelection.
