Broncos linebacker Brandon Marshall will receive the 2017 Courage Award from the Harvard Graduate School of Education’s Alumni of Color for his stance against social injustice, his discussions with the Denver Police Department about its use-of-force policy and his ongoing work in the local community.

According to a press release posted by Marshall on his Twitter account, the award will be presented at the Alumni of Color’s 2017 Conference at the Graduate School of Education, held March 3-4.

“The 2017 Alumni of Color Conference (AOCC) Courage Award is given to an individual demonstrating outstanding commitment to the principles of justice, equity, and including,” the release read. “Selected by the AOCC chairs, this inaugural award reflects the principles of the conference, including depth of character, extraordinary leadership, and engaged activism.”

Honored to be recognized by Harvard's Graduate School for taking a stance against social injustice this past year. 1 Corinthians 15:58 pic.twitter.com/WPcdcf7J8V — Brandon Marshall (@BMarshh54) February 21, 2017

Marshall joined 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick in kneeling for the national anthem before Broncos games last season to protest social injustice in the United States, including police brutality.

Shortly after kneeling for the first time, Marshall initiated a conversation with Denver Police Chief Robert White about police training and officers’ challenges in the field.

“It became pretty clear to me that his kneeling was to speak to the injustices that he feels are going across in our country,” White said. “But I also think he recognizes — and we talked about this — that most of the men and women in law enforcement, and certainly those in Denver, are out doing the right thing every single day. And it’s that small percentage that is a challenge for our community (that) is a challenge for me.”

Marshall kneeled for seven games last season and lost multiple endorsement deals as a result. He decided to stand midway in November after Denver Police announced they would revise their use-of-force policy to encourage officers to rely more on de-escalation techniques and limit the use of weapons.

“I’m encouraged with the many productive discussions and progress that has taken place as the Denver Police department has decided to review its use of force policy,” Marshall wrote in an Instagram post. “I’m proud to have joined so many of my peers throughout sports who’ve also made their own statements. Going forward, I will be standing for the National Anthem — not because everything is perfect, or because I’m changing my stance on things. But because of my hope for what we can become.”

Marshall also pledged to donate $300 per tackle he made last season (52) to selected local organizations, has worked with Denver’s Rose Andom Center to support victims of domestic violence, and, among other things, challenged Denver elementary school students to improve attendance.