President Donald Trump is honoring former Notre Dame football coach Lou Holtz with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
The nation’s highest civilian honor is awarded to “individuals who have made especially meritorious contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors,” as the White House press release reads.
During the ceremony in the Oval Office on Thursday, Holtz attributed his success to the actions of others.
“I feel so indebted to so many people in my life and had such a positive influence on it. For a guy that graduated in the lower third of his high school class, I feel fortunate to be able to be here,” Holtz said.
He added, “But also, to be a part of this great country and to be next to the individual that I respect as much as him. You’ve honored a lot of people, you go look at all the people and Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus. They [are] recognized for what they did. I’m recognized for what other people did.”
Watch his comments below:
President Trump just awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to former Notre Dame football coach Lou Holtz. pic.twitter.com/ukRr4qpNSi
— WNDU (@WNDU) December 3, 2020
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) also attended the ceremony.
“All of us in South Carolina love coach Holtz. He’s a deserving recipient of the medal of freedom,” Graham said.
Check out his remarks below:
Honored to be at the Presidential Medal of Freedom ceremony for Coach Lou Holtz. pic.twitter.com/nTHo2o4RFR
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) December 3, 2020
Holtz attended Kent State University where he played football, studied history, and joined the Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps.
“I was taught at an early age that I had an obligation to serve my country,” Holtz said during an interview with the American Legion.
He coached teams including North Carolina State, the University of Arkansas, the New York Jets, the University of Minnesota, and the University of South Carolina.
He coached the University of Notre Dame for 11 seasons and walked away with a 100-30-2 record.
In 1988, Holtz led the team to a 12-0 record and a national championship.
He stayed busy even after he retired by writing several books, spending time as a sports analyst at ESPN and CBS, and contributing to the community through his charities.
Holtz also received honorary doctorates from the University of Notre Dame, the University of South Carolina, Trine University, and the Franciscan University of Steubenville.
