Broncos' Brandon Marshall honored with inaugural Harvard social justice award

DENVER – Broncos linebacker Brandon Marshall will be honored by the Harvard Graduate School of Education for his social justice work over the past year.

Marshall will receive the school’s inaugural 2017 Alumni of Color Conference (AOCC) Courage Award at a ceremony to be held March 3-4, according to a news release Marshall posted to Twitter Monday.

The school says the award “is given to an individual demonstrating outstanding commitment to the principles of justice, equity, and inclusion.”

Honored to be recognized by Harvard's Graduate School for taking a stance against social injustice this past year. 1 Corinthians 15:58 pic.twitter.com/WPcdcf7J8V

— Brandon Marshall (@BMarshh54) February 21, 2017

Its winner is picked by the AOCC chairs. The university says the award “reflects the principles of the conference, including depth of character, extraordinary leadership, and engaged activism.”

Marshall drew the praise and ire of many across the country early last season when he started taking a knee in solidarity with former college teammate Colin Kaepernick during the playing of the National Anthem.

He lost several endorsement deals for his stance, which he said was to protest questionable police shootings across the country over the past several years.

But he did not simply make a statement. Marshall met with Denver Police Chief Robert White days after he first took a knee. The two talked extensively about social justice issues and police reform, and Marshall agreed to attend a DPD “shoot or don’t shoot” course and to go on a ride-along with officers.

He eventually stopped kneeling during the National Anthem after the department revised its use-of-force policy.

Marshall also participated in several Denver-area initiatives aimed at supporting students, women and domestic violence victims.

“In addition to his work with reform efforts in Denver, Brandon has also remained active championing the rights of women and is an advocate for survivors of domestic violence,” the press release from the Harvard Graduate School of Education said.