Body-camera footage shows former Major League Baseball player Johnny Damon claiming he was targeted by police in February on suspicion of DUI as a result of his support for former President Donald Trump.
The film, which was released on Tuesday, features Damon and his wife, Michelle Mangan-Damon, displaying their “Blue Lives Matter” slogan on the license plate, with Damon saying, “Guys, we’re all for cops.”
Damon has long supported Trump and appeared at an Orlando rally with him before 2016 election day, according to Washington Post. Damon, originally from Orlando, was shot in the early hours of February 19 in Windermere, Florida.
At one point during the stop, Damon says, “I know people are trying to target me because I’m a Trump supporter.”
One officer replies, “I don’t think it has anything to do with it,” to which Damon replies, “Yes, yes.”
Damon’s blood alcohol level was said to be .30, almost four times the legal limit of .08. Damon agreed to a sobriety test in the field, but stumbled during the walking exercises and failed to follow a red light with his eyes as he kept his head still.
Damon was accused of resisting an officer without violence and was cited for driving under the influence of alcohol and driving a stop sign. Mangan-Damon was also arrested and charged with battery on an officer and who resisted violently.
Damon played 18 years in MLB for seven different teams. Twice All-Star, he won two World Series championships – with the Red Sox in 2004 and the Yankees in 2009. He last appeared in a game in 2012, finishing his career with 2,769 hits.