It’s official. One of the greatest players in Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) Tecmo Bowl history has come out in support of bail reform. Not only did former Buffalo Bills running back Thurman Thomas score Tecmo touchdowns with aplomb…he’s now a social crusader intent on effecting change in the criminal justice system.
Last week, Thomas went before lawmakers in New York’s Erie County and gave support to ending cash bail. Said Thomas:
When the breadwinner in the family, be it a man or a woman, is jailed while awaiting trial, their family suffers financially when that person cannot work or provide income. This can lead to the family losing their home rented accommodations or going on public assistance.
April Baskin, a legislator in Erie County, is calling on her county to support the state’s effort at bail reform. While such a bill has been pushed forward in the state assembly, it has not yet moved on to the State Senate. Thomas added that the current cash bail system disproportionately affects African Americans:
I’ve been able to step up with some of my friends back home (in Houston) and help them until they get permission to get released from jail that why it’s important to me.