Some NFL fans don’t seem to realize that football is simply a game. After the Minnesota Vikings lost to the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday night, running back Alexander Mattison received numerous social messages that contained racial slurs and told him he should commit suicide.
Alexander Mattison Gets DMs With Racial Slurs After Loss to Eagles
It goes without saying that the messages sent to Mattison were utterly inappropriate. NFL players are human beings who want nothing more than to earn team wins and success on a personal level.
Mattison is far from the only athlete forced to read such messages from “fans” who think social media gives them the right to attack players from behind a keyboard.
The Vikings have since released a statement indicating they were “sickened by the hatred and racial slurs directed toward” Mattison after Thursday’s game.
We are sickened by the hatred and racial slurs directed toward Alexander Mattison following last night's game. pic.twitter.com/cdCRbxipr6
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) September 15, 2023
Mattison posted eight carries for 28 yards and a fumble in the Vikings’ 38-24 loss. Minnesota added three other fumbles as a team during Thursday night’s defeat.
The Vikings selected Mattison in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft. He re-signed with the club on a two-year deal this offseason and became Minnesota’s starting running back following Dalvin Cook’s June release.