Per ESPN
Alabama football coach Nick Saban urges West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin to support Freedom to Vote Act
by Alex Scarborough ESPN Staff Writer (from Auburn)
Alabama football coach Nick Saban was among a handful of sports figures from West Virginia to sign a letter urging Sen. Joe Manchin, a Democrat, to support the passage of the Freedom to Vote Act.
The letter, which was made public on Monday, also was signed by NBA Hall of Famer Jerry West, former West Virginia athletic director Oliver Luck, former NFL All-Pro Darryl Talley and former NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue….
"We come from some of our nation's most popular sports leagues, conferences and teams. 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."
"In the last year, some 20 states have enacted dozens of laws that restrict voting access and allow local officials or state legislatures to interfere inappropriately with Federal election outcomes. Motivated by the unanticipated outcomes of recent close elections conducted with integrity, these state laws seek to secure partisan advantage by eliminating reliable practices with proven safeguards and substituting practices ripe for manipulation.
"To complement your efforts to have the Senate enact balances and widely supported legislation, we will encourage others in sports, business and other endeavors to join with us in endorsing the concepts set forth in this letter."
Saban is apparently a friend to Joe.
Saban, who was born in Fairmont, West Virginia, is a longtime friend and supporter of Manchin.
it seems even the world of sports, even Alabama football, knows
when the refs and rules are crooked the game ain’t fair.
Kudos to these sports figures who usually avoid politics like the plague for standing up for a non-partisan issue — the RIGHT TO VOTE!
Senator Manchin — stand up for us all and your state of West Virginia