Miami defensive end Jason Taylor has received one of approximately 30 letters the FBI is examining as part of a threat to prominent black athletes, entertainers, politicians and civic leaders.
The letters have included threats of castration, shooting and being set on fire if the men do not “stop establishing relations with white females,” FBI special agent Robert Hawk of the Cleveland office said Thursday about the 1 1/2-to-2-year investigation.
“I have no comment on it,” said Taylor, whose wife, Katina, is white. “I have nothing to say about it whatsoever. It has nothing to do with being a player. It’s society.”
The letter was pieced together from different typefaces and sizes, similar to a movie depiction of a ransom note.
NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said the league sent a memo about the letters to the 32 head coaches Nov. 18 and asked the coaches to “share it with the players and security personnel.” The memo said six NFL players had received letters.
Bears coach Dick Jauron said the league contacted the team about three weeks ago. None of his players had received a letter.
“The numbers they referred to weren’t huge in terms of letters sent, but what I said to the team [was] one is too many,” Jauron said.
Hawk of the FBI’s Cleveland office said more than 30 “racially hateful letters” were postmarked Cleveland; Youngstown, Ohio; and Erie, Pa.
“The guess is that they are being written by one person,” Hawk said.
In Columbus, Ohio, a police report said Michelle Clarett, the mother of suspended Ohio State tailback Maurice Clarett, received a racially charged death threat addressed to her son at her home on Oct. 2. The typed message was from “OSU cheerleaders” and said that “black men should stay away from white women.”
TEAM, SYNOPSIS
Tennessee Titans
DE Jevon Kearse practiced for 1st time since spraining left ankle Nov. 16. Coach Jeff Fisher was very encouraged because Kearse was able to change direction while running without hurting himself. Fisher: “If he doesn’t have a setback as a result of what he did today, then he’ll have a chance to play.”
Green Bay Packers
Rookie LB Nick Barnett said he’ll be back in the lineup against Bears. “Oh, for sure I’m playing Sunday. I wouldn’t have sat out last week if the doctors hadn’t told me to. I was trying to go out there and play. It’s not like I chose to sit out,” Barnett said.
Buffalo Bills
QB Drew Bledsoe returned to practice on Thursday, a day after experiencing dizziness from 2nd hit to head in consecutive weeks. His status is unclear for Sunday. Backup QB Alex Van Pelt said Bledsoe took most of snaps and didn’t look tentative.
Houston Texans
QB David Carr was limited to short tosses for 2nd day because of shoulder injury, and RB Domanick Davis (thigh) was held out of practice. QB Dave Ragone and RB Tony Hollings, both rookies, might play Sunday. Davis: “We still haven’t made any decision. I’m going to just pray. Maybe I’ll wake up feeling good.”
Miami Dolphins
LB Zach Thomas (hip) was added to injury report as questionable. Thomas: “I’m doing everything I can to get back on the field. It may be a gameday decision on whether I play Sunday.”
