Seattle police officer surprised at practice in Renton with NFL Hispanic Leadership Award, grant

Seahawks receiver Doug Baldwin and mascot Blitz among those in attendance.

By Brian Beckley • September 14, 2016 7:26 pm
Seattle Sgt. Adrian Diaz accepts a check for $2
Seattle Sgt. Adrian Diaz accepts a check for $2

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Doug Baldwin surprised Seattle police officer Adrian Diaz in Renton on Wednesday with an NFL Hispanic Heritage Leadership Award and a for $2,000 for the NW Premier Junior Football/Police Athletic League flag football program.

Baldwin, along with Seahawks mascot Blitz, Seattle Police Chief Kathleen O’Toole and Deputy Chief Carmen Best surprised Diaz during a football practice at the Highlands Neighborhood Center Complex on Edmonds Avenue Northeast.

Diaz was selected as the local recipient of the NFL Hispanic Heritage Leadership Award. This award recognizes the contributions of Hispanic leaders in each NFL market.

Diaz has spearheaded more than 80 youth dialogues that open the door for youth and police to talk with each other in an open and non-threatening environment. He developed a youth police training program with a community based organization to include teaching officers on adolescent brain development and trauma informed care.

He also partnered with Northwest Premier Football League to help establish the Seattle Police Department’s first police activities league flag football season.