SPARTANBURG, SC (Talon News) -- An open letter in support of President George W. Bush signed by 24 Olympic and professional athletes, including Ernie Banks, John Elway, Steve Largent, Karl Malone, Jack Nicklaus, Mary Lou Retton, Nolan Ryan, Roger Staubach, and Lynn Swann was released on Thursday.
Featuring legends and superstars from Major League Baseball, the National Football League, the National Basketball Association, the Professional Golf Association, and the Olympics, the letter addressed to "our fellow Americans" shares why these athletes believe Bush deserves to be elected to another term.
"We have given much thought to the values and characteristics that make a great athlete," the letter, which was sent to Bush campaign supporters on Thursday, begins. "Our lives have been spent trying to run farther, push further, and jump higher than the person beside us, or across the field of our chosen sport. With years of training and exhaustive competition beneath our belts, we have identified the values necessary to compete and win -- values like personal strength, determination, a sense of fair play and faith."
These athletes say these same qualities also make up "a great president."
"[T]he determination to do what is right, regardless of the latest polls, the personal strength to bear the weight of the nation on your shoulders, and the faith that a higher power will direct the actions of good people," the letter continues. "We see in President Bush these same qualities."
Recalling the tragic events on September 11, 2001, the athletes contend Bush's strong faith "saw us through those dark days after the terrorist attack."
"The economy was rocked by the dual blows of the terrorists' cowardly action and the reckless disregard of the rules by a few rogue executives," referring to the corporate scandals.
"But President Bush's decisive, principled leadership has moved America forward, and today our nation is safer and our economy is strong and getting stronger," the athletes concluded in the letter.
In the war on terrorism, the athletes state it "take decisiveness" and "continued support for our troops and first responders."
"But most importantly, it takes courage and inspirational leadership in the White House," the letter asserted. "In these critical times, our President has had the courage to stand up and do what's right."
Describing Bush as one with "unwavering character," the athletes state that the president is worthy of another four years in the White House.
"He is a leader we can depend on to make the tough decisions and the right decisions," the letter exclaimed. "Please join us in supporting a candidate of courage, President Bush -- a leader who backs our troops defending our nation and shares our values."
MLB stars signing the letter include Todd Walker, Bob Feller, Adam Dunn, Craig Biggio, Carlos Beltran, Banks, and Ryan.
NFL athletes backing Bush include Chris Spielman, Anthony Munoz, Bernie Kosar, Matt Hasselbeck, Elway, Largent, Staubach, and Swann.
Olympians signing this letter in support of President Bush include Daniel Beery, Josh Davis, Natalie Golda, Dot Richardson, Janet Lynn Salomon, Kerri Strug, and Retton.
Malone, an NBA All-Star and future Hall of Famer, and Nicklaus, arguably the greatest golfer of all time, round out the list.
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