Filipino American football player's letter read at fan's funeral

Doug Baldwin runs onto the field prior to a Seattle Seahawks game.

ASAM NEWS

AN EFFORT by NFL players in Seattle to draw attention to social injustice touched a Seattle Seahawk fan so much he arranged the donation of $25,000 to the group.

The Seattle Times reports that Steven Paschall heard about the player’s efforts while he was receiving treatment for Lymphoma.

The Equality and Justice for All Action Fund was created by players from the Seahawks to transform protest into lasting change.

Paschell himself had started a foundation in his late daughter’s name in 2009. The Kelly Ann Brown foundation has always stood for those who have been marginalized because of their race, gender or sexual orientation.

“Steve was impressed that the players were being proactive, first by drawing attention to the issue through their demonstrations on the field,’’ said Paschalle’s wife Katy Jo Steward. “The Seahawks have been criticized and maligned for sitting or kneeling during the national anthem. They are accused of being unpatriotic and worse. Steve and the rest of the board felt it was important to stand with them.’’

Two days after the donation, Paschall died at age 62.

Doug Baldwin, a starting tight end for the Seahawks who is both Filipino American and Black, wrote Paschall a touching handwritten note of thanks.

Baldwin's letter is below:

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Baldwin’s letter was read at Paschall’s service.

“For Steve to kind of in his last days request that, that that was something he wanted to do, I don’t know,” said Baldwin. “And then their whole family story and their daughter and her values and the things she cared about, it felt right and I felt compelled to tell them how grateful we were for their support.’’