Richard Sherman

Seahawks' Doug Baldwin calls for dramatic next step following player protests

Published Sep. 22, 2016 7:35 p.m. ET

share

facebookxredditlink

foxsports

Several NFL players have followed Colin Kaepernick's lead and used the national anthem to protest social and racial injustice around the nation. Others have continued the national discussion as Richard Sherman did this week, foregoing questions at his press conference and instead making a statement on the subject.

However, few players have talked about what needs to happen next. Which is what Sherman's Seattle Seahawks teammate Doug Baldwin addressed on Thursday, calling on the 50 state attorney generals to "call for a review of their policies and training policies for police and law enforcement to eliminate militaristic cultures while putting a higher emphasis on de-escalation tactics and crisis management measures."

Baldwin spoke out about the protests earlier this month and helped organize the Seahawks' linked-arms demonstration of unity during the national anthem on Sept. 11. Now the Stanford product is trying to translate the players' actions into real change and reform at the law enforcement level.

"You've heard the message, you've seen the protest and now we're working on the follow through," Baldwin told reporters. "Again, we're only a small group, a small portion of the population and there are people out there that have greater power than we do. Our voice is still going to continue to be heard but at the same time we need those that have the power to make the changes and act."

Baldwin said he consulted his father, a police officer in Pensacola, Fla., in preparing his statement and reached out to local law enforcement and elected officials in the Seattle area. Washington state attorney general Bob Ferguson tweeted that he would meet with Baldwin.

Here is Baldwin's entire opening statement:

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

share

Get more from Richard Sherman Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more

in this topic

Richard Sherman

Seattle Seahawks

National Football League