Bill Belichick receives Croatian passport, award

Croatian Tourism Board director Kristjan Staničić on Saturday presented a special award to Bill Belichick, the coach with the most trophies in the history of American football, for his contribution to the international promotion of Croatia during his career.

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.

Belichick was honoured with the award at the third edition of the Sunset Sports Media Festival in Zadar.

At the event, Croatian Tourism and Sports Minister Tonči Glavina presented Belichick with a Croatian passport.

Earlier this week, Belichick was awarded a state decoration by President Zoran Milanović and received a nationality certificate from Prime Minister Andrej Plenković.

(Hina/FaH)

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