"The President decorated Belichick for special merits in promoting Croatia's reputation and interests in the United States of America during an exceptional sports career over many years," an official press release notes.
Bill Belichick, an American of Croatian descent, coached several professional American National Football League clubs in his long and prosperous career. His greatest success was with the New England Patriots. Under his leadership, the Patriots won six Super Bowls, the final playoff game for the NFL champion and arguably the most watched sporting event in the United States.
During his career, Belichick often proudly underscored his Croatian origin and the roots of his family, who went to America from Draganić near Karlovac.
The celebrated coach arrived in Croatia as a special guest of the third edition of the Sunset Sports Media Festival, which will be held in Zadar from 6 to 8 June and whose delegation was received by President Milanović in his office.