FOURTH-AND-LONG: Coaches and Athletes Now Pressuring Joe Manchin on Voting Rights Bill

Well, they’ve tried everything else.

According to Fox News, University of Alabama Head Football Coach Nick Saban and NBA Hall of Famer Jerry West have signed a letter urging Senator Joe Manchin to pass the voting rights bill.

In the letter, the group said the principles that help ensure fair and free elections are “now under intentional and unprecedented challenge,” and “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.”

Former NFL players Oliver Luck and Darryl Talley, graduates of West Virginia University, as well as former NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue, signed the letter.

Manchin commented on the letter, telling reporters that Saban included a message saying he supports the filibuster and to not get rid of it.

“We should all support the right to vote, everyone, but not breaking the rules to make new rules,” Manchin said.