Alexander Mattison is thanking those who have shown him support in the wake of receiving racist messages.
The Vikings running back previously shared his Instagram direct messages, which were filled with racist posts and some that told him to kill himself after Minnesota’s 34-28 loss to the Eagles on Thursday night.
“Hey n—r do you know how to hold onto a gun and pull the trigger I mean give it a try cause you clearly can’t hold on to a football which is you’re [sic] PROFESSIONAL CARRER [sic] so try something new please,” one user wrote to the 25-year-old.”
On Saturday afternoon, Mattison thanked those who have remained in his corner throughout all of the hateful messages.
“Thank you to everyone that has shown love and support to me and my family during this time,” he wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, while also sharing a long note.
Mattison, who tallied 28 yards in the loss to Philadelphia and committed two fumbles, one of which was negated by a penalty, wanted people to know what sometimes happens to NFL players, who are “real people.”
“By no means do I care for the attention or pity that comes with being in this position. I simply would like to acknowledge what happens in the dark and behind the scenes; for there are many people who are blind to the realness and severity of its regular occurrence towards people like me,” he said in his statement.
“Over the years I have been finding my voice, speaking up and standing for those who may be sitting in silence experiencing anything similar.
“We are real people under the helmet – men, sons, husbands and brothers. We should not be de-humanized, nor should our identities or ethnicities be attacked for our play on the field. No athlete deserves to be harassed, disrespected and threatened.”
Mattison added that he is a proponent of mental health and hopes to help those in need through his I AM GIFTED Foundation, which previously reportedly hosted a local family during Week 1 that dealt with suicide.
According to the foundation’s website, Mattison started the foundation after his own mental health battles and wanted a way to give back to the community that’s helped him.
In his Saturday statement, Mattison added that social media has opened up avenues for some individuals to continue their “bullying and harassment.”
“Racism at it’s core is centered in fear and ignorance – and the only way we can work against it is to address it head on. 56% of the NFL is comprised of Black men, so I know I am not the only one who has had this negative experience,” he said. “We deserve better from the fans.”
Mattison is in his fifth season in the NFL after he was taken in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft.
He’s accumulated 1,732 yards in 61 career games and finds himself as the lead back in Minnesota with the Vikings cutting Pro Bowler Dalvin Cook during the offseason.
