NFL anthem protests: Tennessee Titans tight end Delanie Walker receives death threats
Friday 29 September 2017 14:08, UK
Tennessee Titans' Delanie Walker says he and his family have received death threats since he told fans not to come to games if they felt disrespected by NFL players' protests.
Walker and his Titans team-mates joined the Seattle Seahawks in staying inside their locker rooms during the national anthem ahead of their game on Sunday, with Walker then walking out arm in arm with quarterback Marcus Mariota.
On Monday, Walker tried to make clear he supports the military in a protest that is seeking equal rights.
"The fans that don't want to come to the games, OK, bye," Walker said. "I mean if you feel that's something where we're disrespecting you, don't come to the games. You don't have to. No one is telling you to come to the game. It's your freedom and your choice to do that."
Since those comments, the Pro Bowl tight end has shared the "heartbreaking" threats he has received in a social media post.
Walker isn't the only NFL player dealing with a backlash from protesting. Detroit Lions defensive tackle Akeem Spence shared on Twitter that his father, a contractor, was denied a job on a house due to his protest. He was among the Lions players who took a knee before their game against the Atlanta Falcons.
