Report: Bill Belichick, Herschel Walker to be Appointed to President Trump's Sports Council
President Donald Trump will appoint Bill Belichick and Herschel Walker to his Council on Sports, Fitness and Nutrition, reports Axios' Jonathan Swan.
"The Council's mission aligns with my beliefs and several of the Bill Belichick Foundation's goals and values as they relate to sports, youth athletics and personal health and wellness," Belichick said in a statement. "The physical fitness in our country is an apolitical issue that is extremely important to our future. When I was contacted by Ivanka Trump and asked to participate, I was humbled to be asked and honored to accept, as I would have done for any administration. I know that a lot of great leaders have participated on the Council over the past half century, some who are personal inspirations to me, and I am eager to lend any assistance I can to its ongoing mission."
According to Swan, the Patriots head coach and former NFL player are among six people Trump is naming to the council, which has existed since 1956 under different names.
Other reported members of the council include Olympic beach volleyball gold medalist Misty May-Treanor, golfer Natalie Gulbis, retired MLB closer and all-time saves leader Mariano Rivera and Dr. Mehmet Oz.
The council "engages, educates, and empowers all Americans to adopt a healthy lifestyle that includes regular physical activity and good nutrition," per its website.
Under Trump, the council is more focused on sport, while former President Barack Obama's administration was more focused on nutrition.
Belichick and Trump have been friends for several years. The President has reportedly spoke to Belichick at length recently about the status of quarterback Tom Brady.
Walker is also a friend of the president and has previously commented on kneeling as a form of protest in the NFL.
