Former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III blasted the police for tasing Olympian Fred Kerley during a tense encounter in Miami.
The stunning incident, which occurred in the early hours of Friday, was caught on tape. The video shows officers attempting to restrain Kerley, who medaled in both the Tokyo and Paris Olympics, when appears to resist as he’s forced to the ground.
“I’m going to tase him,” one officer says before deploying a stun gun. Kerley is then seen standing up briefly before officers manage to handcuff him.
Throughout the scuffle, the woman protests, shouting, “he didn’t do anything.”
This is COMPLETE OVERUSE OF FORCE by the Miami-Dade Police against Fred Kerley.
The same Fred Kerley, who just finished representing the USA and winning a Bronze Medal in the 100m at the 2024 Olympics in Paris. How do you represent your country and come home to unnecessary beat… pic.twitter.com/BMnf5tys8d
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) January 4, 2025
Griffin made his outrage known online. “Murderers and terrorists get treated better than Fred Kerley was in this situation,” he accused.
“Murderers and terrorists get treated with more grace and patience than Fred Kerley was in this situation.”
According to a statement released by Miami Beach police, the altercation began around 11:22 p.m. on Thursday when Kerley was conversing with officers about his car, which was parked nearby.
Police claim Kerley’s “demeanor became increasingly aggressive,” and he refused to leave after being asked to do so.
Officers allege Kerley then “assumed a fighting stance,” prompting attempts to arrest him, during which he resisted. They say a “dart-firing stun gun was effectively deployed” to subdue him.
The bodycam footage, which lasts approximately 7 ½ minutes, starts with Kerley, dressed in a gray hoodie, standing next to a police vehicle speaking with officers.
The first 30 seconds lack audio, making it unclear what is said. The video shows an officer placing a hand on Kerley’s chest and then his wrist, which seemingly triggers the altercation.
With at least four officers struggling to subdue him, one officer eventually fires a stun gun into Kerley’s back, causing him to fall instantly.
“I’m not resisting, I got handcuffs on!” Kerley can be heard saying after going down. While restrained, Kerley accuses the officers of misconduct, warning them they’d be going to jail.
It appears Kerley did not immediately identify himself as a Team USA Olympic sprinter. However, at one point, he’s heard telling officers, “Bro, get off my legs, I need my f***ng legs.”
Kerley was later booked into custody on charges of battery against a police officer, disorderly conduct, and resisting arrest, according to jail records.
Additionally, he was being held on older charges of strong-arm robbery and domestic battery by strangulation from six months prior.
“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,” Griffin III noted in his lengthy post.
“This is COMPLETE OVERUSE OF FORCE by the Miami-Dade Police against Fred Kerley,” he added.
Meanwhile, a separate incident involving rapper and “Law and Order: SVU” actor Ice-T during a traffic stop in New Jersey also showed a tense exchange with police.
The encounter unfolded when Ice-T was pulled over for expired license plates and missing a front plate.
Bodycam footage from May—only recently released—shows a Hudson County Sheriff’s officer informing Ice-T of the violations.
The actor, who portrays a police officer in his long-running day job, explains he was en route to the DMV to rectify the paperwork but had been unable to do so the previous day due to the “system being down.”
Stressing that the car had been parked for a while, he admits his driver’s license was also expired.
“That’s why I’m going to the DMV,” he explains, trying to negotiate leaving his car parked while he walks to the DMV.
The officer doesn’t agree, stating, “It is serious,” which visibly frustrates Ice-T. “You’re not gonna tow my f***king vehicle,” Ice-T fires back, exiting his car despite the officer warning, “Don’t touch me.”
The exchange escalates as Ice-T addresses the bodycam directly, shouting, “Get this on camera. This muthaf***ker. I’m a foot away from the DMV. You’re an a**hole!”
Backup is eventually called, and with the arrival of a sergeant, cooler heads prevail. The sergeant attempts to reduce the listed violations, but the original officer issues Ice-T four tickets for driving with a suspended license, failing to display a front plate, missing an inspection sticker, and expired tags.
Ice-T ultimately parks the car and walks to the DMV to resolve his paperwork. Before parting ways, the officer advises, “Just next time show some respect,” to which Ice-T retorts, “I don’t have to.”
Watch the full video here: