PRO ATHLETES PROMOTE GUN VIOLENCE AWARENESS IN THE US

June 14, 2019

Everytown for Gun Safety, the US’s largest gun violence prevention organization, has joined with athletes from the NFL, WNBA and NBA to launch the Everytown Athletic Council.

Comprised of athletes who want to bring awareness to the issue and be part of the gun violence prevention movement, the group is partnering with Everytown on an ongoing basis to encourage people to join the movement and support common-sense solutions to reduce gun violence across the country.

“With the creation of the Everytown Athletic Council, the gun safety movement now includes a pioneering team of athletes whose strength and vision extends far beyond the playing field,” said John Feinblatt, President of Everytown for Gun Safety. “I’m grateful to every member of the Council for lending their considerable talents to the fight for gun safety.

Founding members of the Athletic Council include:

• Joakim Noah, 2014 NBA Defensive Player of the Year and Co-founder of Noah’s Arc Foundation
• Devereaux Peters, two-time WNBA champion with the Minnesota Lynx
• Xavier Rhodes, 2018 All-Pro cornerback for the Minnesota Vikings
• Delanie Walker, three-time Pro Bowl tight end with the Tennessee Titans
• DeAndre Washington, 4th year running back with the Oakland Raiders

Last week, the group’s first action recognized the ‘Wear Orange’ campaign, dedicated to honoring the lives of Americans affected by gun violence, and the 5th National Gun Violence Awareness Day on June 7. Hundreds of cultural influencers, brands, non-profit partner organizations, elected officials and a series of iconic landmarks participated in the campaign at nearly 750 events across the country from June 8- 9 to honor gun violence survivors and victims.

Additionally, the Golden State Warriors hosted 20 survivors of gun violence and volunteers with Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, a part of Everytown for Gun Safety, during Game 4 of the 2019 NBA Finals. Ahead of the game, Steve Kerr, head coach of the Golden State Warriors wore orange during his pregame press conference in support of the campaign.

At the same time, the WNBA Players Association (WNBPA) distributed special edition Wear Orange tee shirts and orange shoelaces for players on all 12 teams that played over Wear Orange Weekend.

Some of the Founding members shared on what it meant to them to be part of the vital initiative: 

“I’m excited to be one of the founders of Everytown’s Athletic Council. The movement to end gun violence is really important to me and my family,” said Joakim Noah, the 2014 NBA Defensive Player of the Year and Co-founder along with his mother of Noah’s Arc Foundation. “We started up Noah’s Arc to work with kids in Chicago who are affected by gun violence and to provide them with opportunities through sports and arts to make a positive impact on their communities. Through this Council, we will be able to build on this work and raise even more awareness that the current situation is not acceptable and that we each can play a role in ending gun violence.”

“I’m thrilled to be a part of starting up Everytown’s Athletic Council. Gun violence is an issue that impacts all Americans, and athletes can act as an important bridge, connecting voices who need to be heard with this larger movement that is demanding change,” said Devereaux Peters, two-time WNBA champion with the Minnesota Lynx.



“It is really important to me to be a part of this Council and the movement to end gun violence,” said Delanie Walker, three-time Pro Bowl tight end with the Tennessee Titans. “As a responsible gun owner, I want to help as many people as possible understand how to store guns safely and to protect our kids. As athletes, we have these platforms and can be leaders in that cultural change.”