Falcons kicker Younghoe Koo said Wednesday he is "deeply saddened" by the Atlanta-area shootings that left eight people dead, including six Asian women.
Koo, who was born in South Korea before moving to Ridgewood, New Jersey, at the age of 12, voiced his thoughts on social media.
"I am deeply saddened by the events that took place in Atlanta yesterday and although there is no definitive answer yet on what this investigation will bring, I feel now is the time to address the rise in hate crimes against ALL races over the last few years," Koo wrote on Instagram. "As an Asian American, I have heard the jokes and name calling. I often dealt with it by ignoring what was said and minding my own business.