News

Ex-Falcons WR Roddy White Tweets About Fear During Encounter With Cop At Traffic Stop

Roddy White, a former NFL star who played all of his 11 seasons as a wide receiver for the Atlanta Falcons, used a series of tweets on Wednesday to describe a traffic stop incident in Georgia that made him fear for his life.

Ex-Falcons WR Roddy White Tweets About Fear

When a DeKalb County, Georgia police officer allegedly put his hand over his holstered gun as he approached White’s car, the now-free agent said he became upset and concerned.

White received two traffic tickets, but said he wanted to report the officer for his actions.

White, who never got into any trouble with the law during his playing days, recounted the incident to CNN at his home Wednesday night.
“I said, ‘On a routine traffic stop for a speeding ticket, its protocol for you to get out of our car and put your hand on your weapon and come walk to someone’s car?’ He told me, ‘Yeah, yeah, that’s police protocol.'”
“So I was like, ‘Are you serious?'” White said the officer told him, “No, that’s my protocol, that’s what I do as a police officer.”
“It was a scary moment for me because at that time I was like anybody else — I felt vulnerable. If something went wrong or if I tried to argue with this guy … I could’ve got shot.”
White had not filed a report as of Wednesday night, as he tweeted he would. If he does, the incident will be investigated by the internal affairs unit, police stated. The former receiver was pulled over in suburban Atlanta and was cited for speeding and an expired license plate, which in itself he didn’t complain about, per his tweets.

Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter!

A week of sports news in your in-box.
We find the sports news you need to know, so you don't have to.

White claimed he didn’t realize he was speeding due to the busy traffic on Interstate 285. He said he followed advice his mother once gave him to get all his information ready and have the window rolled down by the time the officer approached.

Reactions to White’s tweets were mixed, with some people supporting the ex-wideout, and others– even white people– saying they had experienced the same thing. Some white people in the latter group criticized White for making this a race issue.

White said in his final tweet that reporting the officer for his behavior “could save the next black man’s life.”
White, 35, led the NFL in 2010 with 115 receptions and was named to the All-Pro team that year. He was released by the Falcons in March.
ATLANTA, GA – SEPTEMBER 03: Roddy White #84 of the Atlanta Falcons warms up prior to facing the Baltimore Ravens at Georgia Dome on September 3, 2015 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Pablo Mena

Writer and assistant editor for usports.org. NY Giants and Rangers fan. Film and TV enthusiast (especially Harry Potter and The Office) and lover of foreign languages and cultures.

Recent Posts

Paul George Exits With Knee Injury As 76ers Fall To 2-12 In Loss To Grizzlies

With their big three finally back in action Wednesday, the Philadelphia 76ers suffered another setback…

8 hours ago

VIDEO: Nike Pays Tribute to Rafael Nadal With 30-Foot Projection In Front of Eiffel Tower

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/tny--EWynOQ Nike paid tribute to Spanish tennis legend Rafael Nadal with a 10-meter-tall animated display…

1 day ago

VIDEO: Rafael Nadal Gets Emotional Tribute as He Retires From Tennis

https://youtu.be/dtJoJz9hC48 Tennis legend Rafael Nadal bid a heartfelt goodbye to his devoted Spanish fans as he brought…

1 day ago

VIDEO EXCLUSIVE: U.S. Olympic Fencer Eli Dershwitz Explains The Art Of Fencing

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/DQ9Rxhnuer4 U.S. Olympic fencer Eli Dershwitz shed light on the critical skills necessary in fencing…

2 days ago

Two Bears Offensive Linemen Return To Practice, Caleb Williams Desperate For Blocking

Two offensive linemen for the Chicago Bears returned to practice, a massive step in the…

3 days ago

VIDEO: UFC Heavyweight Champion Performs Viral Trump Dance In New York

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/s2g9t_33Myw President-elect Donald Trump received a warm welcome from Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) fighter Jon…

4 days ago