Minnesota Vikings release statement on racial backlash against RB Alexander Mattison

The Vikings issued a statement Friday, saying the team is “sickened by the hatred and racial slurs” that were directed towards running back Alexander Mattison after Minnesota’s loss to the Eagles.

Mattison posted some of the messages he’d received on Instagram. And that prompted the quick statement from his team management.

“We are sickened by the hatred and racial slurs directed toward Alexander Mattison following last night’s game,” the statement said. “There simply is no room for racist words or actions in sports and society. The Vikings will continue to fight to eliminate hate, to educate and foster a diverse, equitable and inclusive community that respects and values our unique backgrounds. We stand with Alexander and all players, who, unfortunately experience this type of ignorant and prejudicial behavior, and we ask our fans to continue to fight to eliminate racism.”

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

NFL sent a similar message of support for Alexander Mattison

Like the Vikings, the NFL also issued a statement condemning the behavior. The league said: “The NFL strongly condemns the racist comments directed towards Alexander Mattison online after last night’s game. Such hateful behavior is completely unacceptable in the NFL or anywhere else. We stand firmly with Alexander and remind fans to remember the humanity of all players and celebrate their contributions to the game we all love.”

Alexander Mattison revealed that after he returned with the team from Philadelphia, so-called fans inundated his Instagram account with more than 60 direct messages. He then posted:

“Y’all can come at me all you want about fantasy [football], ‘You suck,’ blah blah blah. I really could care less. But this s— is unacceptable. SMFH I hope the 60+ people who decided to come at me with disgustingly disrespectful messages tonight in DM’s and comments, really reflect on wtf you say and how it could truly affect someone. 

“Under my helmet, I am a human.. a father.. a son. This is sick. SMH.” Some of the messages he shared told him to kill himself while using racist language.

Alexander Mattison’s DM’s after the game.

This is simply unacceptable, players are humans too and deserve respect. pic.twitter.com/ceFXrsDWvC

— NFL Retweet (@NFLRT) September 15, 2023

Mattison is in his fifth season with the Vikings. Minnesota selected the former Boise State star in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft. He primarily played behind Dalvin Cook, who rushed for more than 1,000 yards in each of the past four seasons. However, the Vikings cut Cook because of financial reasons. He signed with the Jets.

The Vikings didn’t lean much on their running game Thursday night in the 34-28 loss to the Eagles, the defending NFC champs. Mattison carried the ball eight times for 28 yards. And that represented all the Vikings generated as an offense. Quarterback Kirk Cousins kept the Vikings in the game, completing 31 of 44 passes for 364 yards and four touchdowns.

Mattison fumbled in the first half. The Vikings lost three fumbles, overall, before halftime.