NFL, Vikings show support for RB following hateful, racist messages

Per ESPN's Kevin Seifert, Mattison said that he received more than 60 "disgustingly disrespectful messages" through his Instagram account, including several that used the N-word and other slurs. He shared two of the messages on his Instagram story, both of which called for him to harm himself.

Mattison is in his fifth NFL season, and while he made six spot starts in place of four-time Pro Bowler Dalvin Cook during the 2020 and 2021 seasons (with significant success), this is his first year as the team's full-time starter. The Vikings released the 28-year-old Cook in June in a cost-cutting move and he joined the New York Jets in August.

Like his winless squad, Mattison has had a difficult start to the 2023 campaign.

The 25-year-old has turned 19 carries into 62 scoreless yards through two games and added six receptions for 21 yards and one touchdown on 10 targets. Mattison struggled mightily in Minnesota's "Thursday Night Football" loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, posting 28 rushing yards on eight attempts against his opponent's ferocious defensive front, losing a key first-half fumble.

Better days should be ahead for the Boise State product with a healthier offensive line, as evidenced by his career 4.1 yards per carry average.

Regardless of what kind of numbers Mattison (or any player for that matter) put up on a weekly basis though, they should never be subject to the kind of disgusting, hateful and racist messages that he received late Thursday night.