Pat Nevin says he had no choice but to intervene when he saw former team-mate Paul Canoville being routinely subjected to racial abuse during matches.
Canoville - the first black player in Chelsea's history - forged a close bond with Nevin after the Glaswegian remonstrated with and publicly condemned supporters who racially abused him.
In episode 14 of Sky Sports' My Icon series, Brighton boss and former Tottenham full-back Chris Hughton said players of his generation had no choice but to ignore abuse from the terraces if they wanted a career in the game.
But speaking at the Football Firsts Black History Month event in association with the Paul Canoville Foundation, Nevin said - despite receiving death threats - he was not prepared to allow his team-mate and friend to suffer in silence.
"I couldn't not intervene," Nevin told Sky Sports News.
"The accepted thought in football [at the time] was ignore the racism, maybe the club would do something about or maybe the FA will do something about it.
"At the time the black players were being told to shut up about it when a lot of them wanted to talk about it. Me speaking about it may have sounded brave, unusual - maybe I was the only one at the time but it was my background.
"Paul Canoville didn't know my background, which was quite political. I was a student doing a degree in Glasgow and us students got a wee bit involved in politics.
"I spent time at anti-apartheid marches. I come from an Irish background and 10 years before my time there were signs outside bars saying 'no blacks, no dogs, no Irish', so there was kind of something there as well.
"It was just about being brought up thinking equality and equal chances for everyone. I just wanted to make sure that for other people, it wasn't made difficult for them to do the things they should be able to do, live a normal life, work and be treated with respect.
"When I saw those viewpoints being brought into football stadiums it was like 'I won't bring my politics if you don't bring your politics. You've brought yours, I'm bringing mine, it's back on you'."
Nevin was speaking at the Hammersmith Town Hall event - supported by the FA, PFA and Kick It Out - ahead of a panel discussion with Chris Ramsey, Paul Elliot, Ricky Hill, Andy Impey, Hope Powell and Howard Gayle.
Canoville was unable to attend as he remains in hospital after complications following a bowel operation, which had left him in an induced coma for a week. But he managed to send a video message which was played to guests in attendance, and Elliot said he was thrilled to be part of the occasion.
"It's great to be among some distinguished, wonderful, esteemed former colleagues that I have played against, kicked, engaged with had a few drinks with over many years," Elliot said.
"It's lovely to have such an assortment of quality players who have all made a huge substantial positive difference to the game.
"Canners is a top man and together we have seen some of the most challenging of times. He was an outstanding player and his contribution to the game was fantastic.
"He's been a bit poorly but we have sent out our good thoughts to him and I'm delighted that he is on his way to a speedy and efficient recovery."
Coinciding with Black History Month, Sky Sports' #MyIcon campaign brings you 31 exclusive interviews with top BAME sports personalities across the month of October. For more information click here.