Vikings’ Alexander Mattison Reveals Racist Messages From Fans After Loss to Eagles

The Minnesota running back shared two hateful DMs on his Instagram story.
Vikings’ Alexander Mattison Reveals Racist Messages From Fans After Loss to Eagles
Vikings’ Alexander Mattison Reveals Racist Messages From Fans After Loss to Eagles /

Vikings running back Alexander Mattison was racially abused after Minnesota’s 34–28 loss to the Eagles Thursday evening, he revealed in an Instagram story Friday morning.

Mattison shared a pair of racist, vulgar messages sent to him on Instagram after the game, which called him numerous slurs and suggested he take his own life.

“This is not ok,” Mattison wrote in text superimposed over the messages. “Y’all can come at me all you want about fantasy and ‘You suck,’ blah blah blah… but this s— is unacceptable… Under my helmet I am a human… a father… a son.”

The NFLPA condemned the abuse in a statement, writing, “We’re not going to share the images of the disgusting behavior and messages that [Mattison] was subject to last night, but we will call out and stand against this type of hate.”

On Friday afternoon, the Vikings added a statement, writing, “We are sickened by the hatred and racial slurs directed toward Alexander Mattison following last night’s game. There is simply no room for racist words or actions in sports or society. The Vikings will continue to fight to eliminate hate, to educate and to foster a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community that respects and values our unique backgrounds.”

Mattison carried the ball eight times for 28 yards with a lost fumble in the loss. The 25-year-old has spent his entire five-year career with the Vikings.


Published
Patrick Andres
PATRICK ANDRES

Patrick Andres is a staff writer on the Breaking and Trending News team at Sports Illustrated. He joined SI in December 2022, having worked for The Blade, Athlon Sports, Fear the Sword and Diamond Digest. Andres has covered everything from zero-attendance Big Ten basketball to a seven-overtime college football game. He is a graduate of Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism with a double major in history .