Mariano Rivera, Bill Belichick among nominees for president's sports council

New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick and former New York Yankeescloser Mariano Rivera are among the people nominatedby President Donald Trump forthe President's Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition.

Along with Rivera, former NFL running back Herschel Walker and three-time beach volleyball gold medalist Misty May-Treanor were tabbed to co-chair the council in an announcement released Friday.

Other council member nominees are former Boston Red Sox and Yankees outfielder Johnny Damon; golfer Natalie Gulbis; Kyle Snyder, an Olympic gold medalist in freestyle wrestling; and silver-medal-winning bobsledder Shauna Rohbock.

The President's Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition encourages Americans to live a healthy lifestyle that balances physical activity and good nutrition. The council was founded in 1956.

In a statement, Belichick said the council's mission aligns with both his and his foundation's goals and values.

"The physical fitness of children in our country is an apolitical issue that is extremely important to our future," Belichick said. "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."

Outside sports, actor and bodybuilder Lou Ferrigno, television personality Dr. Mehmet Oz and a number of business executives were also selected to be part of the 23-member council.

If approved, all member of the President's Council will serve two-year terms.