Broadening Support For “Athletes’ Brief” On Marriage Equality

NFL stars and LGBT allies Chris Kluwe and Brendon Ayanbadejo announced the addition of numerous supporters for their “Athletes’ Brief” with the U.S. Supreme Court.

The Athletes' Brief was filed in the case of Hollingsworth v. Perry, which challenges California's Proposition 8 ban on same-sex marriage. The brief expresses the importance of equal rights and the role that athletes play in affecting public behavior by the way they treat others, especially their effect on young people. Some of the supporters include:

Brendon Ayanbadejo

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Baltimore Ravens linebacker, 2013 Super Bowl Champion.

Chris Kluwe

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NFL punter with the Minnesota Vikings.

Scott Fujita

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NFL Linebacker, most recently with New Orleans Saints

2009 Super Bowl Champion with Saints

Robbie Rogers

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Soccer Player, formerly with U. of Maryland, U.S. men’s national soccer team, professionally with Columbus Crew (2008 MLS Cup winner) and Leeds United

Cheryl Reeve

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WNBA Head Coach, Minnesota Lynx

WNBA Champion & Coach of the Year 2011

All-conference point guard, LaSalle

Hunter Hillenmeyer

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Former NFL linebacker with Chicago Bears

Hudson Taylor

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Division I Three-Time All-American wrestler

Columbia University coach

Rashad Evans

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Michigan State wrestler

Former UFC light heavyweight champion

Sean Avery

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Former NHL Left Wing with Detroit Red Wings, Los Angeles Kings, Dallas Stars and New York Rangers.

Adam Podlesh

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NFL punter, Chicago Bears

April Ross

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Professional beach volleyball player

National Freshman of the Year and All-American at USC

2012 Olympic Silver Medalist, Beach Volleyball

Jennifer Kessy

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Professional beach volleyball player

All-American at USC

2012 Olympic Silver Medalist, Beach Volleyball

Alex Mack

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NFL Center, Cleveland Browns

Winner of Draddy Trophy, the “academic Heisman”

Rebekkah Brunson

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WNBA Forward, Minnesota Lynx

2011 WNBA All-Star

Founder, 32 Foundation, sponsoring academic and athletic opportunities for youth in the DC area

Chris Gocong

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NFL linebacker, Cleveland Browns

Seimone Augustus

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WNBA guard/forward, Minnesota Lynx

Two-time Olympic gold medalist

Three-time All-America with LSU

2011 WNBA Champion (Finals MVP) and three-time All-Star

Connor Barwin

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NFL linebacker, Philadelphia Eagles, formerly with Houston Texans.

Pokey Chatman

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WNBA Head Coach, Chicago Sky

Kawika Mitchell

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Former NFL linebacker, New York Giants, Buffalo Bills, and New Orleans Saints

2007 Super Bowl Champion with Giants

D'Qwell Jackson

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NFL Linebacker, Cleveland Browns

Elected team captain

Michelle Marciniak

girlshoops.scout.com

Former point guard and National Champion (and MVP) with Tennessee Vols, and Seattle Storm of the WNBA

Former Asst. Coach – Univ. of S. Carolina