Former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III has accused cops of treating Fred Kerley worse than a ‘murderer and terrorist’ after the Olympic star was shockingly tasered in Miami.
Police bodycam footage emerged of the moment an officer tasered Team USA’s Kerley, a sprinter in the Paris Olympics, before he was arrested in Miami in the early hours of Friday.
The footage shows officers desperately trying to handcuff Kerley, who appears to be resisting while on the ground. A woman can be heard yelling ‘stop’ several times as the scuffle unfolds.
An officer can then be heard saying ‘I’m going to tase him’ before pulling out and deploying his dart-firing stun gun at Kerley, who managed to get to his feet.
As the other officers then put him in handcuffs the woman stood nearby shouts ‘he didn’t do anything’.
‘Murderers and terrorist get treated better than Fred Kerley was in this situation,’ Griffin said on social media. ‘Murderers and terrorist get treated with more grace and patience than Fred Kerley was in this situation.’
Bodycam footage has emerged of the moment police tasered American sprinter Fred Kerley
American sprinter Kerley was charged with battery on a police officer around 4am on Friday
The arrest of Fred Kerley (left) a sprinter for Team USA has enraged Robert Griffin III (right)
‘This is COMPLETE OVERUSE OF FORCE by the Miami-Dade Police against Fred Kerley.’
WSVN reported earlier on Friday that Kerley, who won 100m bronze at last year’s Olympics in Paris, approached an active police scene to discuss his vehicle which was parked nearby.
It’s claimed the 29-year-old then became increasingly aggressive and would not move on when asked to by the officers.
The Miami-Dad Police Department came under fire a few months ago as well for pulling over Dolphins star Tyreek Hill, with officers also being accused of using excessive force on the wide receiver.
‘Watch for yourself and you will see that NONE OF THIS WAS NECESSARY,’ Griffin continued.
‘Complying with the Police is always the best option, but American citizens should not be put in situations where they have to defend themselves from the Police. The Police are supposed to be helping us not harming or intimidating us.’
Griffin posted a lengthy statement to social media slamming Miami police for the incident
Kerley also won a silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics for Team USA in the 100-meter dash
‘How do you represent your country and come home to unnecessary beat downs like this? Being an Olympian doesn’t exempt you from being held accountable when you break the rules or the law of the land, but every human being should be exempt from being jumped and tased by 4 Police officers when it’s not warranted.’
‘In this footage it is clear that Fred Kerley was going about his business and not the aggressor in the situation. It is clear that the first Police officer put his hands on Fred for no apparent reason.’
‘From that point on, the Police officer escalated the situation by pushing Fred extremely hard after Fred clearly asked him not to touch him and gently removed his hand from his chest.’
‘The Officer then charged Fred and Fred defended himself. In what world is it okay for a Police officer to unnecessarily push a civilian or charge them with violent intentions.’
Kerley also won a silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics for Team USA in the 100-meter dash. He finished behind fellow American Noah Lyles and Jamaican star Kishane Thompson in Paris.
‘Ask yourself where is the audio from before the fight broke out?’ Griffin continued. ‘Was that accomplished here? No it wasn’t. Protect and serve the community, uphold the law fairly and ensure public safety. Is that what this is? No it’s not. This is ABUSE OF POWER. Fred Kerley didn’t deserve this. No one does.’
