Lions' Walker remembers late cousin Arbery after arrests

Detroit Lions safety Tracy Walker reflected Friday on Ahmaud Arbery, his late cousin who was shot and killed in February while jogging unarmed in Satilla Shores, Georgia.

It took months, mounting public pressure, and a leaked video of the shooting before any arrests were made. Police arrested 64-year-old Gregory McMichael and 34-year-old Travis McMichael on Thursday, one day before Arbery would have celebrated his 26th birthday.

"It's crazy that a man was out there jogging by himself and just getting exercise and he was shot down," Walker told Cydney Contreras and Holly Passalaqua of E! News. "We can't continue to kill ourselves and kill each other off. That's not OK. We can't continue with the violence."

Arbery, an African-American man, was jogging in a predominantly white community when he was killed. Thousands have posted "#IRunWithMaud" on social media in support of Arbery since his death.

"It's amazing to have that much support, have that many people get behind one simple cause, and that's justice," Walker said.

Walker remembered his cousin as "a person full of laughter and joy," who enjoyed brightening the days of those around him.

"He would be the guy that would just turn everybody's frown upside down by saying a simple joke," he said.

The NFL Players Coalition submitted a letter to the U.S. Department of Justice on Friday, urging attorney general William Barr to ask the FBI and DOJ to investigate the incident. The letter contained signatures from numerous current and former players, including Tom Brady, Julian Edelman, and Doug Baldwin. Other sports figures, such as NBA coach Steve Kerr and NBA analyst and former coach Stan Van Gundy, also signed the document.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation vowed Friday to launch an independent investigation into the handling of Arbery's case.

Walker, 25, is entering his third season with the Lions.