Five Hall of Fame pro sports figures with West Virginia connections signed a letter to Senator Joe Manchin urging Manchin to support John Lewis Voting Rights Act, saying Americans’ right to vote is under threat.
“Some of us have roots and shaped our lives in West Virginia, others followed very different paths and some of us have been rivals in sports or business. But we are all certain that democracy is best when voting is open to everyone on a level playing field; the referees are neutral; and at the end of the game the final score is respected and accepted,” the letter read, in the expected sports analogy.
NBA legend Jerry West; college football coach Nick Saban; NFL player and WVU Hall of Famer Oliver Luck; NFLer and WVU Hall of Famer Darryl Tilley; and former NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue signed the letter.