When Washington state attorney general Bob Ferguson heard about Doug Baldwin's call to action last month, he decided he wanted to reach out to the Seattle Seahawks wide receiver.
So he Tweeted at him.
.@DougBaldwinJr Watched your press conference today with interest. I'll be reaching out soon to see if you'd like to sit down and chat. -BF
— WA Attorney General (@AGOWA) September 22, 2016
Since then, the two have spoken on the phone, exchanged text messages, and are in the process of setting up an in-person meeting.
Baldwin originally asked attorney generals from all 50 states to review training policies for police and law enforcement to "eliminate militaristic cultures while putting a higher emphasis on de-escalation tactics and crisis management measures."
Since then, Baldwin has received plenty of feedback -- both positive and negative. Some think he should just stick to being a football player. Ferguson is not one of those people.
"I admire him for it. I do. I admire him for it," Ferguson said. "It's not easy to take a stand like that. Let's be honest. A professional football player of his stature doesn't need to. That's not something he has to do with his time, and yet he's chosen to do it, take on a really challenging issue and important issue. I admire him for using the platform that he obviously has to elevate the conversation on this important issue.
"To say he's only an athlete, that's just silly. He's a resident of my state. He's got an important platform. And I have read much of what he's had to say on this issue. ... Look, I don't think one can reach any conclusion other than he has been extremely thoughtful about this issue. I think his perspective is valuable, and that's why I'm looking forward to hearing what he has to say in person."
Baldwin has created a "Building Bridges" task force to meet with local law enforcement and politicians. Last week, he and other members of the Seahawks organization hosted members of the Seattle Police Department at the team's practice facility.
Baldwin updated the progress of his mission earlier this week.
"The concrete next step is putting together a plan where we can give to the attorney generals that we meet with and basically say, 'Here, this is from the research we've done, the things that we have heard, listened to, what we've learned -- we think this is a rational approach to things,' " Baldwin said. "Not to say they haven't already done that. I feel like we've got to do something."
Baldwin has said often that the process for him is about listening and gathering information. Ferguson believes Baldwin's focus is in the right place.
"I think you'll find many members of law enforcement who would like more resources for training," Ferguson said. "Washington state has some really innovative trainings on de-escalation that have received national attention. But a challenge, to be candid, is the funding for that, to provide the resources for the more extensive training on issues like de-escalation.
"So I see some potential common areas where I see Doug Baldwin going and where I think I can be helpful in my role as attorney general."
Asked about how receptive his colleagues might be to Baldwin's proposals, Ferguson said, "I can't paint with too broad a brush. You've got 50 different attorney generals across the country, but that said, my feeling is that each attorney general recognizes the importance of these issues. And my feeling is that each one of us, each attorney general, is itching for solutions. And so that's why I do think that Doug has got his finger on something important here on this issue of training. And so obviously, again, I can't speak for my colleagues around the country, but I do know there is interest in this subject, and any constructive voice is always appreciated."