Johnson studying every issue, candidate
Broncos’ LB encourages voters to put in the research
ENGLEWOOD — As he readies to submit his first Colorado election ballot since joining the Broncos in 2018, inside linebacker Alexander Johnson has a message for his fellow citizens: Research the candidates and issues.
“I would say this close to the election is when people may get misled,” he said in a phone inter view. “You see a lot of people promoting the vote, but I don’t feel like they’re teaching people the proper way to vote.”
Johnson grew up in Tennessee and related his request to when he was first eligible to vote.
“That first time, I just voted for the president my grandmother voted for,” he said. “That’s not the proper way to vote. When you go into the (voting booth), you need to have done your research and study the people in the state because there are different levels to the system. Start with the governor and everybody else in the state and then you vote for the president you want in of fice.”
Asked if he has reminded teammates and family members that ever y vote counts, Johnson said: “I was one of those guys when I was in college. But then I learned a bit about the system and the electoral votes and that’s been my biggest thing, electing the people under the president because they’re the ones who speak on our behalf.”
Johnson said the election isn’t a major talking point in the Broncos’ locker room, which has been closed to the media this year due to league-mandated social distancing measures.
“A few people mention it and will say something about it, but it’s not something we’re talking about ever y day,” he said.
The Broncos haven’t sat on the political sidelines, though.
The bill SB20-217 called for accountability and integrity in the law enforcement community. Part of the bill required body cameras, collecting data on the use of force and making the findings public, banning chokeholds and prohibiting tear gas before ordering citizens to disperse. Johnson ser ved as a lobbyist of sorts. The bill was passed by Colorado State Senate and signed by Gov. Polis in mid-june, a week after the Broncos marched through downtown Denver to address racial inequality. Johnson spent several minutes at the head of the march.
Johnson said he didn’t vote in the last election, but is “paying close attention and doing my research,” this year.
“A lot of people sit back and think, ‘You don’t need to go into politics,’” he said. “But at end of the day, politics is about the people. If you’re not into it, you’re at a disadvantage in trying to represent yourself.”