Seattle Seahawks

Seahawks' Doug Baldwin says he's received death threats

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Seahawks wideout Doug Baldwin told 60 Minutes Sports that he has received death threats over his comments about police training procedures.

Baldwin spoke in September and called for attorney generals across the U.S. to review training and conduct policies for police officers. Baldwin’s father is a police officer, and his comments came as part of a wave of social justice commentary from the Seahawks, including teammate Richard Sherman.

“A couple of people told me to watch my back,” Baldwin said, according to ESPN.

“If something was to happen to me, I think that would just further prove my point that there are issues in our culture, in our society that need to be changed.”

In Baldwin’s original comments, he made clear that it was “not an indictment of law enforcement agencies,” harping on the mistakes of the few over the day-to-day jobs of many.

49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick has also said he’s received death threats after sparking a growing protest movement by choosing to kneel during the national anthem. Baldwin says he and Kaepernick have had several conversations since, and was asked by 60 Minutes whether he would have taken a stand otherwise.

“Not at all,” Baldwin replied. ”The reason you're asking me this question is because Colin Kaepernick took a knee during the national anthem, and regardless of what people want to say about it disrespecting the military or the country or whatever it may be, he shed light on an issue that needed to be revealed.

“So now we're having this conversation. I'm fortunate enough and glad that he did that. He took the leadership role, stepped up, took the hits, and now we're able to move forward with this conversation.’

Baldwin’s interview will air Tuesday on Showtime.

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