In a powerful statement that’s echoing across social media, Red Sox pitcher Liam Hendriks confronted the disturbing death threats aimed at him and his family following a tough loss to the New York Mets.

Taking to Instagram, Hendriks poured out his distress, saying, "Just as an FYI: Threats against me and my wife's life are horrible and cruel. You need help." His post wasn’t just a message; it was a plea for humanity.

With a career setback that includes his battle against non-Hodgkin lymphoma, Hendriks called the comments he received—urging him to commit suicide and wishing cancer upon him—"disgusting and vile." This year, the 36-year-old reliever has taken the mound in 11 games, struggling with a 5.56 ERA.

Wednesday's painful 5-1 defeat saw Hendriks stepping in to relieve Garrett Crochet, where he faced challenges including a series of hits that led to his team’s downfall.

In his impassioned post, Hendriks urged those hiding behind the safety of their screens to rethink their actions: "Maybe you should step back and reevaluate your life's purpose before attacking players and their families," he said. His words resonated with many, as he emphasized that this behavior needs to end.

This unsettling incident comes on the heels of another alarming event involving the Red Sox; just weeks earlier, All-Star left fielder Jarren Duran dealt with inappropriate comments from a fan during a game, leading to that fan's ejection.

These occurrences highlight a troubling trend, especially as athletes like Duran have bravely opened up about mental health struggles in recent times, even sharing past experiences with thoughts of suicide. It's a call to action for respect, compassion, and understanding in our sports culture.