Broncos Brandon Marshall Shares Racist Letter He Received At Work

By Ryan Mayer

DENVER (CBS4) - Denver Broncos linebacker Brandon Marshall was one of many NFL athletes to join 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick's decision to kneel during the national anthem as protest against injustice in the United States. Marshall, like the other players, received plenty of criticism and backlash from fans, media, and sponsors alike.

On his Instagram account Friday, he shared an example of the kind of hate mail that he has received since adding his voice to the protest.

In addition to showing a photo of the letter in two separate Instagram posts (see them here -- WARNING: disturbing language), he wrote the following:

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. I received this letter at work.

Marshall stopped kneeling during the anthem in early November after saying that he was "encouraged with the many productive discussions and progress that has taken place as the Denver Police department has decided to review its use of force policy."

"I was taken aback. I had to read it over again. Somebody really sent that to me," Marshall said. "I'm like, 'Man this is wild.' This stood out to me that someone would have so much hate or malice toward me or put so much energy to writing something like that. A lot of messages and lot of people say, 'That's not everybody ... we support you, we love you ... think you are a great person."

That hasn't stopped Marshall's activism as he has pledged $300 for every tackle that he makes to various organizations addressing social issues in the Denver area.

Broncos Coach Gary Kubiak said the team is aware of the letter and is handling the matter.

Marshall has a hamstring injury and won't play in Sunday's game against the Tennessee Titans.