Five people are facing charges related to threatening CSU Rams safety Henry Blackburn following his controversial hit on CU Buffs two-way star Travis Hunter at the Rocky Mountain Showdown in September.
Blackburn received about 7,000 threats on social media following the game, according to . The post did not specifically name Blackburn and did not describe the nature of the charges, except that they were misdemeanors.
Detectives spent more than 100 hours investigating the threats, according to Fort Collins police, and identified one adult and four juveniles “that there was probable cause for misdemeanor charges.”
For Collins police declined to release the specific charges, citing statutory protections, and referred questions about the identity of the adult suspect to the agency’s records division.
The five suspects were issued a court summons, according to Fort Collins police.
Blackburn and his family reportedly received a deluge of threats, including death threats, following his hit on Hunter at the Sept. 16 game.
Blackburn struck Hunter in the chest with his shoulder as Hunter chased down an incomplete pass, earning Blackburn a flag for unsportsmanlike conduct. Hunter was treated for a lacerated liver at a local hospital and missed multiple games.
Both CSU Rams coach Jay Norvell and CU Buffs coach Deion Sanders condemned the threats, and Hunter and Blackburn later met up for a game of bowling .
“It is common for emotions to run high during sporting events,” Fort Collins Police Chief Jeff Swoboda said in a statement. “However, making threats to the physical safety of a person will not be tolerated and will be investigated fully by FCPS.”
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