Pro Football Legends and Hall of Famers Demand That Washington Take Action to End Gun Violence in New PSA

Marshall Faulk, Michael Irvin, Deion Sanders, Emmitt Smith and LaDainian Tomlinson Say Now is the Time for Common-Sense Gun Law Reforms; www.DemandAPlan.org

NEW YORK, Feb. 8, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Mayors Against Illegal Guns today released a new public service announcement featuring pro football hall of famers and legends calling on Congress to take immediate action and pass sensible gun reforms that will help end the gun violence epidemic that kills 33 Americans every day.  Featured in the ad are Marshall Faulk, Michael Irvin, Deion Sanders, Emmitt Smith and LaDainian Tomlinson.  The ad can be viewed here: www.DemandAPlan.org/ProFootball

"Like most Americans, these football legends support sensible reforms that will help keep our children safe," said Mayors Against Illegal Guns Co-Chair and New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg.  "Common-sense proposals like background checks for all gun sales, removing military-style assault weapons from our streets and gun trafficking legislation are already in the red zone – it's time for Congress to take them over the goal line."

"We are grateful that these sports heroes – who are also fathers, brothers and uncles – are choosing to speak out," Mayors Against Illegal Guns Co-Chair and Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino said. "We need every voice to be heard to keep the pressure on Congress to pass legislation that will save American lives and make our neighborhoods safer."

The ad is a follow-up to the PSA the group released just one week after the Newtown shooting featuring more than fifty prominent actors and artists demanding a plan.  Mayors Against Illegal Guns worked with Suzy Shuster, former ABC Sports reporter and President of Hudson Productions to create the PSA. 

"Working in sports for nearly the past twenty years, I have seen first-hand how gun violence affects athletes and their families," said Shuster. "I have such great respect and admiration for the strength and character of the men who appear in this video, and know how much this message will affect the young men and women who look up to them."

Full script of the ad follows.

DEION SANDERS: How many more? How many more street corners?

MARSHALL FAULK: How many more schools?

EMMITT SMITH: How many more movie theaters?

MICHAEL IRVIN: How many more half-time moments of silence?

LADAINIAN TOMLINSON: Enough.

EMMITT SMITH: For the children of Sandy Hook Elementary.

LADAINIAN TOMLINSON: Demand a plan.

DEION SANDERS: You can't win without a plan.

EMMITT SMITH: I chose the game.

MICHAEL IRVIN: I played the game.

DEION SANDERS: This — right here? — oh baby, this is not a game.

EMMITT SMITH: It's time.

MARSHALL FAULK: It's time for our leaders to do something.

MICHAEL IRVIN: Demand a plan. Right Now.

EMMITT SMITH: Right now.

DEION SANDERS: Now.

[TITLE: DEMAND A PLAN TO END GUN VIOLENCE www.DEMANDAPLAN.org @DemandAPlan]

SOURCE Mayors Against Illegal Guns