Former Atlanta Falcons’ Player, Roddy White Plans on Reporting Cop; Says, “I Could’ve Died On A Traffic Stop”
Roddy White, hailing from James Island, South Carolina, who is also a former wide receiver with the Atlanta, Falcons had a disturbing encounter with a police officer in Dekalb County, Georgia this week. White was pulled over on Wednesday for speeding and for having expired tags. However, after being pulled over he noticed the officer getting out of the car, simultaneously unbuttoning the strap on his gun, and putting his hand on his weapon as he approached White’s car. The former NFL player became disturbed and took his concerns to Twitter detailing what happened during a routine traffic:
So I just got pulled over for speeding and my tag expired so I got 2 tickets which I wasn't complaining about I gladly excepted them
— Roddy White (@roddywhiteTV) November 16, 2016
But what I had a problem with is officer Kirby of the dekalb county police department bag #1970 I'm going to have to report this man
— Roddy White (@roddywhiteTV) November 16, 2016
This officer got out his car and immediately unbutton his his strap on his gun and put his hand on his gun and came to my car wit his hand
— Roddy White (@roddywhiteTV) November 16, 2016
On his gun like I was going to do something to him so I asked him why he had his hand on his gun the man said it was police procedure
— Roddy White (@roddywhiteTV) November 16, 2016
So I said really and he said no it's my procedure I than asked him why do u think I want to hurt you and he had no response I than said
— Roddy White (@roddywhiteTV) November 16, 2016
It's cops like you that makes this world a very ugly place its a good thing I already had all my information to give him or I could've died
— Roddy White (@roddywhiteTV) November 16, 2016
On a routine traffic stop cause if u stopping me for speeding I don't see a reason to grab your gun
— Roddy White (@roddywhiteTV) November 16, 2016
But I am going to report officer Kirby for his action it may save the next black man's life
— Roddy White (@roddywhiteTV) November 16, 2016
With the current climate here in the United States, communities all over the country are feeling the benefits of having technology to account for the consistent amount of disturbing events that are happening at these random traffic stops. If a man, who has been as successful as White has been can have this happen to him, imagine what is happening on a daily basis to regular, everyday, working people across the United States.
According to his tweets, Roddy White is doing the right thing by reporting his concerns to the Dekalb County Sheriff’s Office. These are the types of actions that have to be done in order for officers to understand their reactions, nervous behaviors, and fake fears are some of the root causes to why many of these random traffic stops to end in deaths.
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