NFL notes: Broncos’ Marshall receives racist, threatening letter

Published 10:52 pm Friday, December 9, 2016

Associated Press

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Broncos linebacker Brandon Marshall posted on social media a racist, threatening letter that denounced him for taking a knee during the national anthem earlier this season. He said he wanted to expose the racism that exists in society.

Marshall said he received the letter a couple of weeks ago and turned it over to the team’s security department, which has been in contact with the NFL and local law enforcement.

Marshall posted the letter written on front and back in block lettering, on his social media accounts alongside his caption, which read: “The hatred by some against people of color is one of the reasons we are where we’re at in the world today, and they wonder why we feel the way we do and take the stances that we take.” He also noted, “I received this letter at work.”

“I just wanted to expose that racism still exists,” Marshall told reporters in the locker room Friday about an hour after posting the letter. “I wanted to expose that people still hate each other. We still hate each other, whether it’s because of your belief system or the color of your skin, whatever the case may be.”

Marshall said he quickly received hundreds of messages of support, although one detractor suggested he shouldn’t have posted it because it gave voice to the author.

“No, I did the right thing because it needs to be seen,” Marshall countered.

Marshall showed photos of the envelope and letter he snapped on his iPhone before turning them over to team security.

The letter came in an envelope purporting to be from “Mrs. Jackson’s sixth-grade class” in Denver and scribbled on the back were the words “We love you, Mr. Marshall.”

That was designed to make sure he read the letter, said Marshall, adding he suspects it was actually written by an adult.

The return address listed a middle school and address, which don’t match any middle schools in Colorado.

Smith meets with Goodell

ALAMEDA, Calif. — Suspended Oakland Raiders pass rusher Aldon Smith has met with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell in hopes of being reinstated.

A person with knowledge of the meeting says Smith sat down with the commissioner and other league staff Friday to make his case to be allowed back on the field following his yearlong suspension for violating rules on substance abuse.

There is no timeline for when or if Smith will be reinstated.

Kuechly may play vs. Chargers

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Panthers coach Ron Rivera says three-time All-Pro middle linebacker Luke Kuechly will play against the San Diego Chargers on Sunday if he’s cleared from the NFL’s concussion protocol.

The NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2013 has missed the last two games with a concussion. Kuechly is listed as questionable and Rivera says he hopes he can play, saying “anytime you got your leader out there, it is a doggone good thing.”

Vikings’ Smith out

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith will not play against Jacksonville on Sunday because of a severely sprained ankle.

He missed all three days of practice this week and could be out longer after hurting his left ankle during a loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Dec. 1.

Vaccaro suspended 4 games

METAIRIE, La. — The NFL says New Orleans Saints safety Kenny Vaccaro will serve a four-game suspension, starting this Sunday at Tampa Bay, because he violated league rules pertaining to performance enhancing drug use.

The league did not specify which banned substance was found in Vaccaro’s system. The league not only bans steroids, but also diuretics that have been known to mask steroid use.

Beckham fined

NEW YORK — Odell Beckham Jr. was fined $12,154 for verbal abuse/excessive profanity toward an official following the Giants’ 24-14 loss at Pittsburgh last weekend.

The fine wasn’t related to Beckham’s postgame comments to reporters when he described an unsettling exchange with one official, complained about several non-calls and suggested referee Terry McAulay’s crew shouldn’t work any more Giants games.

It was the same crew that worked New York’s game against Carolina last season in which Beckham and then-Panthers cornerback Josh Norman repeatedly drew flags for their confrontations.

4 games in London next year

LONDON — The NFL will stage four regular-season games in London next year.

The league says the teams and venues for the four games will be announced on Tuesday.