President Donald J. Trump presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor, to legendary Hall of Fame Boston Celtics basketball player Robert “Bob” Cousy Thursday, Aug. 22, 2019, in the Oval Office of the White House. (Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead)
Yesterday Donald Trump awarded Celtic legend Bob Cousy with the Presidential Medal of Freedom. At 91, Cousy has witnessed many presidents come and go, but told Trump that he was “the most extraordinary president in my lifetime.” The Boston Globe’s Nik DeCosta-Klipa reports:
President Donald Trump honored Celtics legend Bob Cousy with the nation’s highest civilian award Thursday afternoon at the White House: the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
And the 91-year-old former basketball player, coach, and broadcaster paid Trump back with some high compliments as well.
“Mr. President, I know in your world you’re well on your way to making America great again,” Cousy said in his acceptance speech. “In my world it’s been great for 91 years.”
The six-time NBA champion, who played point guard for the Celtics from 1950 to 1963, used his speech to thank his family and friends, and expressed gratitude for the “good fortune” to make a career out of a “child’s game.”
Cousy called the occasion special for two reasons. First, that it signified “one of the most exclusive clubs on our planet.” Cousy is the fourth NBA player to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom. The first was his former teammate Bill Russell in 2010. Michael Jordan and Kareem Abdul-Jabar also received the award in 2016.
“Secondly Mr President, it’s special because it’s being presented by the most extraordinary president in my lifetime,” Cousy said.
That’s a significant amount of time; as Cousy noted, he was born before President Franklin D. Roosevelt even took office.
“That’s so nice, thank you,” Trump replied.
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