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Home , Abry Jones, Adrian Clayborn, Adrian Hamilton, Adrian Phillips, Ahman Green, Akeem Spence

June 10, 2020

Re: Amash-Pressley Ending Qualified Immunity Act

Dear Members of the United States Congress:

We are more than 1,400 current and former professional athletes and coaches from across the , National Association, and Major League in America. We are tired of conversations around police accountability that go nowhere, and we have engaged in too many “listening sessions” where we discuss whether there is a problem of police violence in this country. There is a problem. The world witnessed it when Officer Chauvin murdered George Floyd, and the world is watching it now, as officers deploy enormous force on peaceful protestors like those who were standing outside of the White House last week. The time for debate about the unchecked authority of the police is over; it is now time for change.

We are writing to ask that you pass the bill to end qualified immunity introduced by Representatives Justin Amash and Ayanna Pressley. Congress passed the Ku Klux Klan Act in 1871 to give ordinary citizens recourse when powerful public officials violate constitutional rights. By passing that Act, codified in 42 U.S.C. 1983, Congress told its citizenry that no one is above the law, especially those who abuse government power. A healthy democracy requires no less; citizens must know that if those who promise to uphold the law and protect the community fail to do so, there is a remedy available. The law, as one author has noted, is “a bulwark of American liberty.” ​ ​

The Supreme Court has caused irreparable harm to public trust by creating and then expanding the doctrine of qualified immunity, which often exempts police officers and others from liability, even for shocking abuse. Under that doctrine, first developed in 1967 and widened ever since, plaintiffs must show that government officials violated “clearly established” law to receive damages for harm. A plaintiff wins only if a prior Court found an official liable under a nearly identical fact-pattern. This standard is virtually impossible to meet, and the protections promised under section 1983 seem largely symbolic as a result.

Qualified immunity has shielded some of the worst law enforcement officials in America. The 8th Circuit applied it to an officer who wrapped a woman in a bear hug, slammed her to the ground, and broke her collarbone as she walked away from him. The 9th Circuit applied the doctrine to two officers ​ who allegedly stole $225,000 while executing a search warrant. The Eleventh Circuit applied the doctrine ​ to protect an officer who unintentionally shot a ten-year old while firing at the family dog (who, much like the child, posed no threat). The list of officers who suffered no consequences because of this doctrine could fill a law book.

It is time for Congress to eliminate qualified immunity, and it can do so by passing the Amash-Pressley bill. When police officers kill an unarmed man, when they beat a woman, or when they shoot a child, the people of this country must have a way to hold them accountable in a court of law. And officers must know that if they act in such a manner, there will be repercussions. A legal system that does not provide such a recourse is an illegitimate one. In their grief, people have taken to the streets because for too long, their government has failed to protect them. The Courts and elected officials alike have instead shielded people who caused unspeakable harm. Congress must not be complicit in these injustices, and it should take this important step to show that law enforcement abuse will not be tolerated.

Sincerely,

Players Coalition members, current/former NFL, NBA, MLB players and coaches:

Ameer Abdullah Matthew Adams Stevie Baggs Jr. Adam Bighill Rodney Adams Robert Bailey Klayton Adams Kabeer Baja-Biamila Sam Adams Brian Baker Josh Adams Doug Baldwin Ronald Blair Quincy Adeboyejo David Ball Jude Adjei-Barimah Larry Ball McTelvin Agim Jeff Bleamer Chidi Ahanotu Tony Banks Eric Alexander Dennis Bligen Anthony Alford Shawn Barber Raul Allegre CJ Board Joe Bock Ian Allen Erich Barnes Kim Bokamper Juran Bolden Essang Bassey Victor Bolden Ricardo Allen Daren Bates Nick Bawden Ron Bolton Charlie Anderson Gary Baxter Rik Bonness Tim Anderson Jarrod Baxter Jon Borchardt David Andrews Kelvin Beachum Dave Borgonzi Marty Anthony Lyons Chris Beake A.J. Bouye Tim Beckham Dwayne Bowe Chris Archer Odell Beckham Jr. Greg Bell Jessie Armstead Kurt Benkert Mark Brammer Bene Benwikere Colin Branch Amon Arnold Alex Bregman Marcelis Branch Dan Audick Delvin Breaux McLeod Bethel-Thompson Michael Brewster Ron'Dell Carter Tre Crawford Tony Carter JP Crawford Dezmon Briscoe Gerald Carter Jack Crawford Jim Carter Joe Cribbs Jamal Carter Chuck Crist Chet Brooks Jurrell Casey Marcus Cromartie Ethan Brooks JC Cross Jehuu Caulcrick AJ Cruz Dan Chamberlain Lloyd Cushenberry III Chris Chambers Jonathan Cyprien Kam Chancellor Carl D. Howard Jr. Evan Brown Brendan Daly Chris Brown Sean Chandler Eugene Daniel Donald Brown Joe Danna Terell Brown Matt Darby Travis Bruffy Bruce Clark Darion Clark DJ Bryant Will Clarke Corbin Bryant Armonty Bryant Todd Davis DeForest Buckner Mark Clayton Tyrone Davis Eric Davis Jarrod Bunch Tyrie Billy Davis Ian Bunting Steve Clifford Oliver Davis Oren Burks Kameron Cline Travis Davis Jason Burns Randall Cobb Davion Davis Kendall Coleman John Davis Andre Coleman Sammy Davis Noah Burroughs Henry Coley IV Tony Davis Jedidiah Collins Deante Burton Mark Collins Akeem Davis Jalen Collins Ryan Davis Sr. Vernon Butler Dion Dawkins LeRoy Butler Chuck Commiskey Lawrence Dawsey Rashad Butler Keyunta Dawson Victor Butler Albert Connell Demetrius Butler Sr. Dan Connor Byron Buxton Curtis Conway Joe DeCamillis Toi Cook Travis Demeritte Keith A. Byars Anthony Denman Israel Byrd Brayden Coombs Delino DeShields Jr. Erik C. McMillan Stephen Cooper Shilique Calhoun Chris Cooper Ian Desmond Chris Calloway Toderick Devoe Russell Copeland Korey Diede-Jones Na'il Diggs Mark Cotney AJ Dillon Khary Campbell Ted Cottrell Josh Dobbs Tommie Campbell Andrew Donnal Sheldon Canley John Covington Kevin Dotson AJ Cann Dameyune Craig Marcus Dowdell Chris Carter James Crawford Jack Doyle Tyronne Drakeford Prince Fielder Pete Draovitch Yamon Figurs Nick Goings Troy Drayton Davon Drew Dave Fiore Julian Good-Jones Jack Driscoll Tony Fisher Donald Goode Clifton Duck Jack Flaherty Niko Goodrum Timothy Flanders Marquise Goodwin Bill Duff Brian Fleury CJ Goodwin Bobby Duhon Drayton Florence Christopher Foerster Dee Gordon Michael Dumas Melvin Gordon JoLonn Dunbar Bernard Ford Jamie Duncan Jermaine Grace Keldrick Dunn Melvin Fowler Earnest Graham Justin Dunn Dexter Fowler Devin Gray Keith Dunn Vernon Fox Jon Duplantier Tim Dwight Jeffrey E Faulkner Byron Franklin Ahman Green Michael Early Parks Frazier Willie Green Mike Frazier Kavon Frazier Samson Ebukam Steve Gregory Dwan Edwards Eddie Fuller Nick Greisen David Edwards Jedidiah G Collins Michael Griffin Christian Gaddis Otis Grigsby Russell Gage Jordan Gross Bruce Elia Russell Gage Tori Gurley Keith Elias William Gaines EJ Gaines Myron Guyton Emmanuel Ellerbee Joel Gamble Porter Ellett Jonathan Gannon Tony Gwynn Jr. Jake Elliot Malik Gant John Hagg Greg Ellis Kenneth Gant Dennis Haley Justin Ellis Mark Garalczyk Grant Haley Elbert Ellis Jim Garcia Bryan Hall Percy Ellsworth Dr. Leonard Garrett PJ Hall Jon Embree Amir Garrett Davon Hamilton Larry English Antonio Hamilton Percell Gaskins Jakar Hamilton Jordan Evans Jordan Gay Josh Hammond Demetric Evans Shaun Gayle William Hampton Nate Evans Tony George Justin Hardy Sean Harlow Harry F. Sydney III Zane Fakes Tony Gilbert Joe Giles-Harris Wes Farnsworth Nate Gilliam Tobias Harris Reginald Gipson DeMichael Harris Jeffrey Faulkner Erik Harris Graham Glasgow Tavien Feaster La'Roi Glover Nick Ferguson Jonathan Harris Josh Harrison Donald Jones John Harty Akeem Hunt Brian Jones Willie Harvey Tony Hunter Charlie Jones Willie Harvey Jr. Earnest Hunter Sam Havrilak Wayne Hunter Charles Jones DJ Hayden Joe Jones Ke'bryan Hayes Deion Jones Alex Haynes Von Hutchins JT Jones Johnny L. Hector Sidney Hy Abramowitz Bennie Joppru Gene Heeter Duke Ihenacho Ken Irvin James Jordan Thomas Henderson Kemal Ishmael Karl Joseph Othello Henderson Sebastian Joseph-Day Amari Henderson Yonel Jourdain Malik Henry Darius Jackson Mario Henry Honor Jackson Mo Henry Maurice Jackson Kyle Juszczyk Ray Jackson Ryan K. Russell III Malik Jackson Kevin Kaesviharn Austin Jackson John Kaiser Jason Heyward Kendyl Jacox ND Kalu Clifford Hicks Ja'Wuan James Jeno James Mike Hiestand Quentin Jammer Frank Kearse Mike Jasper Khaylan Kearse-Thomas Dont’a Hightower Richard Hightower Keone Kela Rajon Hill Roy Jefferson Anthony Hill Willie Jefferson Efrem Hill Jegs Jegede Matt Kemp Brian Hill Derek Kennard Ronney Jenkins Tom Kennedy Jarvis Jenkins TY Hilton Rashad Jennings Rex Kern Brandon Hitner Jim Jensen Steve Kerr Liffort Hobley Josey Jewell Tyrone Keys William Joe Jackson Edward King Marcus Johnson Jason King Fulton Johnson Akeem King Travis Johnson Robert Holt Joe Johnson Rolland Hooks Jesse Johnson Sammy Knight Bob Horn A.J. Johnson Bobby Howard Sherman Johnson Rich Howell Isaiah Johnson Steve Korte Will Johnson Chris Kuper Nico Johnson Matt LaCosse Orlando Hudson Cameron Johnston Anthony Lamando Tyrone Hughes Sidney Jones John Hughes Dominique Jones Dante Hughes Robbie Jones Daymeion Hughes Garrick Jones Loren Landow Joey Mbu Jr. Eric Lane Ben McAdoo Jordan Moore Cedrick Lang Deuce McAllister Marlon Moore Jesse Langvardt Keenan McCardell Emery Moorehead Matt Lawrence Reggie McClain Patrick Morris Nate Lawrie Devin McCourty Michael Morton Emanuel Lawson Jason McCourty Raheem Mostert Josh McCown Jamie Mueller Kari Lee Lerentee McCray Al-Quadin Muhammad James Lee Marlon McCree Cleo Lemon Andrew McCutchen Laveranues Leon Coles Jr. Randall McDaniel Louis Murphy Jr. KC McDermott Chris Myers Fred Lester Tyler McDonald Picasso Nelson Jerry Levias O.J. McDuffie DeAndre Levy Leon McFadden Kimario McFadden Shane Nelson Thomas Lewis Booger McFarland Steven Nelson Jermaine Lewis Tony McGee Ty Neske Jeremy Lincoln Kevin McGill Ryan Neufeld Adam Linger Michael McGruder Anthony Newman Guy McIntyre Tyler Newsome David Long Doug McKenney Nathaniel Newton Jr. Shed Long Benardrick McKinney Jammal Lord James McKnight Steven Nielsen Clarence Love Rodney McLeod Roosevelt Nix Tom McMahon Jeff Nixon Cornelius Lucus Brandon McManus Sean Lumpkin Erik McMillan Cameron Lynch Mark McMillan Josh Norman Aaron Lynch Sean McNanie Tony McRae Jordan Mack Carter O’Donnell Mark Maddox Cornelius O’Donoghue Jason Michael Anthony Oakley Arthur Michalik Stephen Odom Doug Middleton Leonard Marshall Jamir Miller Marques Ogden Koda Martin Billy Miller Jason Martin Michael Ojemudia Chris Martin Eugene Milton Gabe Martin Jonathan Mincey Eric Martin Jr. Glenn Martinez Deji Olatoye Stump Mitchell Josh Oliver Earl Mitchell Louis Oliver Chris Matthews Arthur Moats Donovan Olumba Curtis Modkins Glendora Stephans-Wright on behalf of Gordon Arnold Wright Marcus Maxwell DJ Montgomery Kenny Onatolu Kenny Moore Joseph Orduna Cameron Maybin Raheem Orr Sr. DJ Moore Matt Orzech Corey Mays Jerry Ostroski James Owens KeiVarae Russell Glover Quin Mike Rutenberg John Pagano Randy R. Beverly, Sr. Donald Rutledge Ervin Parker Eason Ramson Sean Ryan Glenn Parker Demeco Ryans J'Vonne Parker Thomas Randolph CC Sabathia Kenyon Rasheed Nate Salley J’Vonne Parker Rigo Sanchez Ron Parker CJ Reavis Lonnie Sanders Lucius Sanford Silas Redd Rick Sanford Tim Patrick Cory Redding Mohamed Sanu JJ Redick Ricky Sapp Shea Patterson Mark Pattison Travis Reed Cedric Saunders JR Reed Brashad Peerman Malik Reed Dalton Schoen Jr. Josh Schuler Donovan Peoples-Jones Brooks Reed Tony Scott Josiah Scott Corey Peters Chris Reis Trent Scott Tyrell Peters Tutan Reyes Ed Reynolds Chris Scott Ricky Reynolds Jr. Drew Petzing LaRoy Reynolds Jordan Senn Shaun Phillips Alan Ricard Wasswa Serwanga Quentin Richardson Michael Pittman Wally Richardson Rickie Shaw Lafayette Pitts Jeffrey Richardson Sr. Justice Sheffield Chester Pitts Elston Ridgle Derrick Shelby Anthony Pleasant Charles L. Riggins Austen Pleasants Victor Riley Brandon Short Shawn Poindexter Cecil Shorts III Bill Ring Kurt Shultz DaShon Polk Ricky Siglar Brandon Siler Ryan Pope Cordell Roberson Mark Simmons Gregg Popovich Walter Robert Briggs Justin Simmons Jackson Porter Craig Robertson Jalen Simmons Daryl Porter Rob Robertson Ryan Sims John Potter Eugene Robinson Keith Sims Jerrell Powe Mark Robinson Alshermond Singleton Matt Robinson Nick Sirianni Peerless Price James Robinson Eric Price Connor Slomka Brian Price Jake Rogers Greg Slough Sheldon Price Charles Romes Bobby Slowik Malcolm Pridgeon Carlos Rosado Scott Slutzker Marvelle Ross Tyson Ross Rod Smith Mike Purcell Lee Rouson Anthony Q. Newman Dontavius Russell Bruce Smith Jaquiski Tartt Oliver Vernon Keith Smith Jonathan Taylor Lawrence Vickers Shaun Smith Billy Taylor Fred Taylor Sr. Evan Smith Chris Taylor Wade Smith Jawann Taylor Travis Vornkahl Kahani Smith Delanie Walker Cedric Smith Patrick Taylor Anthony Walker Dwight Smith Jamar Taylor Jeff Walker Ito Smith Quinton Teal Keith Smith Michael Walker Will Smith Tracy Walker Patrick Terrell Al Wallace Reginald Smith II Keith Thibodeaux Todd Walsh Reginald L. Smith II Marcus Thigpen Tim Walton Sr. DeMarcus Ware Katie Sowers George Warhop Denard Span Hollis Thomas Tony Sparano Damon Washington EJ Speed Joshua Thomas Tony Washington Chris Thompson Benjamin Watson Charles Spencer Billy Thompson Brandon Watson Chris Thompson Josh Watson Lewis Tillman Erik Spolestra Spencer Tillman John St. Clair Jim Tolbert Fred Weary LaDainian Tomlinson Donté Stallworth Jed Weaver Josh Stamer William Webb Jr. Jason Webster Giancarlo Stanton Charles Torwudzo Jr. Jemile Weeks Kevin Stefanski Touki Toussiant Brandon Wellington Jeremy Towns Dean Wells Simon Stepaniak Rodney Trafford Dominique Stevenson Lynden Trail Jeff Weston Ja’Whaun Bentley JC Tretter Phillip Wheeler Christian Stewart James White Baigeh Tucker Roddy White Otto Stowe Adrian White Chris Strausser Cole Tucker James White Derek Strozier Jacob Tuioti-Mariner Aaron Whitecotton Dwayne Stukes Fenuki Tupou Shafer Suggs David Wilkins II Pat Surtain Jim Wilks Harry Swayne Harry Sydney III Quinn Sypniewski Stan Van Gundy Chris Williams Phillip Vaughn Wise Roger T Duffy Raymond “Bubba” Ventrone Steve Tannen Shane Vereen Shaun Williams James Wilson Willie Wright Jamaine Winborne Brandon Wright Lawrence Williams Robert Windsor Tay Wright Kevin Williams Kobe Williams Ronnie Wingo Jordan Williams Milton Wynn Blaise Winter Rock Ya-Sin Daryl Williams Jr. Mitchell Wishnowsky James Yarbrough Wally Williams Jr. Will Witherspoon Kenny Young Mike Willie Nathaniel Willingham Nathan Wonsley Trevor Young Shawn Wooden Eric Young Jr. Jr. Al Woods Olamide Zaccheaus George Wilson Robert Woods David Zawatson CJ Wilson Wesley Woodyard Raymond Zeller Charles Wilson Blidi Wreh-Wilson Justin Zimmer Josh Wilson Kenyatta Wright Jeremy Zuttah Rodney Wright

In addition to the players and coaches, the following front office personnel and general managers have lent their support:

David A. Jenkins Allison Bojarski Louis Clark Edward Aaron Perez Chloe Booher Katherine Conklin Christopher Acosta Daksha Cordova Armond Aghanian Stephen Bowen Felipe Corral Robert Akinsanmi Dustin Bowlin Omar Coss Y Leon David Akosim Emma Bradford Keith Cossrow Kelly Allen Courtland Bragg Kara Costa Kahlil Allen Alyse Brehm Anthony Coughlan Leo Amos Ron Brewer Patrick Crawley Renie Anderson Ethan Brodsky Matt Cummings Monique Anderson Morocco Brown AJ Curry Justin Anderson Jade Burroughs Issiah Davis Brock Anderson Joey Buskirk Brian Decker Paul Andraos Zach Byrne Alison DeGroot Patrick Arthur Colton Cadarette Brittany Deise Nana-Yaw Asamoah Lindsay Caine Mike Derice Chad Austin Jessop Geneva Camacho Amber Derrow Adrian Bailey Lucas Cambra Keith Dobkowski Chanelle Balfour Kaycee Canlas Anne Doepner Chris Ballard Eddie Capobianco Gabrielle Doheny Lauren Bartomioli Corey Casado Jordan Dolbin Megan Bell Nick Caserio William Dorrance Nancy Bernstein Dick Cass Anne Duffy Andrew Berry Concetta Cavaleri Deandra Duggans Lindsey Bethel Gerardo Chapa Alex Duplessis Heather Birdsall Jonathan Charles Philip Eident Nicole Blake Taylor Chavez Regis Eller Michael Blanchard Hedy Chen Dylan Bohanan Mitch Chester Rich Elmore Steve Bohlson Kimberly Chexnayder Hayley Elwood Max Boigon Hsu-Wei Chow Cameron Etheredge Nicole Ewell Jacob Janower Laura Malfy Amy Falkow Mike Jasinski Jon Marc Carrier Hannah Farr Maurice Jennings Dylan Marchionda Carly Fasciglione Malik Jiffry Dylan Marcionda David Feldman Janiece Jiminez Josephine Martinez Eric Finkelstein Peter John-Baptiste Josephine Martínez Gerverus Flagg Stephanie Johnson Jesse May Matthew Forzese JW Johnson Michelle McKenna McKenzie Fox Matthew Joye Justen Medina Lisa Friel Tyler Judkins Marissa Melnick Zachary Galia Megan Julian Sana Merchant Robert Gallo Ina Jung Emily Michka Belynda Gardner Alix Kane Allison Miner Alex Gaskin Hank Kauffman Charlotte Minetti Logan Gerber Catherine Keenan Bryndon Minter Amy Ghanbari Liza Kellerman Douglas Mishkin Cyrus Ghavi Courtney Kelley Mark Mitchell Colleen Gilmartin Kevin Kelly Damon Mitchell Richard Gitahi Danielle Kennedy Anisha Mooradian Isaac Gittens Cassandra Kicak Jamie Moore Tyler Glassman Christine Kim Jordan Morse Scott Goldman Nicole King Brandon Murphy Reaganne Goode Emily Kinman Ryan Murphy Colton Gordon Kacey Knauf Jessica Murphy Jon Gottlieb Rachel Kohn Jaynie Murrell Ally Greifinger Scott Koppenhaver Gabe Myers Shannon Gross Samantha Kordelski Jacklyn N. Bove Amanda Guerriero Cara Kuei Heather Nanberg Lucretia Hallowell Thomas Kurniady Gregory Nelson Christopher Halpin Mike LaBianca Margaret Nelson Jamie Han Jamaal LaFrance Gina Newell Goldwyn Harper Shirley Lalicker Nam Nguyen Keenan Harrell Shannon Lane Rhett Nichols Sydney Harris Cady Langdon Jarrett Nobles Chase Hartman Matt Lathrop Drew Norton Mo Henry Jason Lavine Georgia Nze Joanne Hernandez Patrick Lee Denny O’Leary Glen Herold Damani Leech Peter O’Reilly Candace Hickson Laura Lefton Scott O’Malley Henry Hodgson Emily Leitner James Onumonu Natara Holloway Craig Lepire Stephen P. Richer Christina Hovestadt George Li Dennis Padua Andrew Hoyle Ben Liebenberg Tasso Panopoulos Serena Huang Alissa Lieppman Nikki Patel James Hubbard Erin Littrell Aubrey Peacock Venessa Hutchinson David Lomeli Marcos Perez Stephanie Hwu Lisa Loomis Andre Perez Kathleen Ikpi Joseph Lovallo Liliana Perez Elizabeth Iniguez Joe Lovallo Marcos Pérez Anthony Isetta Michael Lujan Les Pico David Issiah Brooklyn M. McDaniels Kelsey Pietrangelo Arthur J. McAfee III Fred Maas Lindsay Pinckney Boyd Jackson Wayne Mackie Tyler Pino Taylor James Wyndam Makowsky Bob Quinn Brian Raab Carly Slivinski Kristen Vasquez Joshua Rabenovets Alexandra Smoczkiewicz Christine Vicari Ashton Ramsburg Jason Spanos Allison Villafañe Sam Rapoport Donna Steele Kelly Viseltear Carmella Re-Sugiura Taylor Stern David Wagner Matt Reamer Samantha Strejeck Jarick Walker Amanda Remy Staci Strickland Tanner Walters Ghazzal Rezvan James T. Collins Jr. Aubrey Walton Yolanda Rivera Sean Tabler Cheyanne Warren-Diaz Tracie Rodburg Mark Tamar Kirsten Watson Jennifer Rojas Allison Taylor Ruth Wels Isabelle Roy Jenner Tekancic Sam Rubinroit Kloi Terzian Kiara Wilcox Josh Rupprecht Jordan Thomas Mollie Wilkie Sean Ryan Dylan Thompson Valeria Williams Annely Salgado Aja Thorpe Astasia Williams Melissa Schiller Nick Toney Michael Woo Sarah Schmidt Jamil Toure Rod Wood Josh Schuler Gina Tran Timothy Yoon Grace Senko Kenlyn Tyree Darrel Young Matthew Shapiro. Ted Tywang Yasmin Youssef Nick Shook Peyton Zeigler Shakish Simon Darren Urban Lucy Zhang Russell Simon Victoria Valencia Marco Zucconi Dajah Siplin Marcus van der Hoek