Michael Thomas Reveals Death Threats over National Anthem Protest

Miami Dolphins safety Michael Thomas told James Walker of ESPN.com that he has received death threats on social media after kneeling during the national anthem before games to protest racial oppression. 

Thomas, who has protested alongside teammates Arian Foster, Kenny Stills and Jelani Jenkins, now joins San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick as the second player to receive death threats for pregame protests. Thomas told Walker:

"

I've definitely received something similar. Like I said, [racial oppression] is alive and well in this nation. A lot of people don't understand where we're coming from, but it's our reality. That's why we're doing this to try to find solutions. Regardless if it's serious or not, no one has come to my doorstep yet with a gun. So I know what I'm standing for is right. I believe that in my heart and I'm going to continue to do what I got to do to keep the conversation going.

"

A number of players have protested in their own manner, from the Kansas City Chiefs and the Seattle Seahawks locking arms among teammates to Malcolm Jenkins, Steven Means, Ron Brooks and Marcus Smith II of the Philadelphia Eagles raising their right fists.

The protests have certainly been controversial across the country, and "the president of the Broward County police union recently urged workers not to escort Dolphins players to games after their recent stance," according to Walker.

The Santa Clara Police Officer's Association also denounced Kaepernick's protest in early September and threatened that some police might not work the team's home games in response.

But Thomas, Foster, Stills and Jenkins recently went to a town hall meeting with police, perWalker, and Thomas felt the meeting was productive:

"

It was definitely great to hear the perspective of our law enforcement, because obviously their voice counts. It was great to hear that they honestly felt that there is a problem, and it's going to take maybe changing that culture of policing. So to hear that coming from them -- we weren't necessarily expecting to hear that from them. So that was great. That was powerful.

"

Thomas told Walker he was unsure if he would continue his protest into Week 3.