Sports fans know that Richard Sherman is a talented athlete. His brief press conference remarks, as reported in the Sept. 22 issue of the Spokesman-Review, indicate that he is also an intelligent, thoughtful and caring human being.

I agree with almost everything Sherman had to say. We must all work with the police and each other to bring people together.

I believe Sherman was giving his message to the wrong audience. It is great that he “does a lot of community service.” If he could convince all of his professional athlete colleagues to do the same, it would be a great step toward his goal of bringing people together.

Are professional athletes who sit or take a knee during the national anthem really helping the kids in the streets? If they are doing more for their communities when they are off the field and not in the spotlight, great.

Professional athletes can have more influence on boys and young men than any other group in our society.

Edward Fisk

Spokane Valley