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December 02, 2014
St. Louis Police demand apology from Rams players for 'Hands up, don't shoot' gesture before game
St. Louis Police Officers Association called for a 'very public apology' and wants the players involved disciplined by the team or NFL after five Rams players came onto the field with their hands raised in a gesture of solidarity with protesters in nearby Ferguson, Mo.
St. Louis cops are demanding “a very public apology” from their hometown football team after five Rams players did a pregame “hands-up-don’t-shoot” gesture of solidarity with protesters in nearby Ferguson.
The St. Louis Police Officers Association immediately condemned the players, saying it was “profoundly disappointed” in the coordinated move, which came during pregame introductions Sunday at St. Louis’ Edward Jones Dome.
The five black players — Jared Cook, Tavon Austin, Kenny Britt, Stedman Bailey and Chris Given — came onto the field with their hands raised, a pose that has become symbol of the ongoing protest over the police shooting of unarmed black teen Michael Brown.
“I just think there has be to a change,” said tight end Cook. “There has to be change that starts with the people that are most influential around the world.”
The action came during the Rams’ first home game since the Nov. 24 announcement that Officer Darren Wilson would not be indicted for the Aug. 9 shooting of Brown, 18. The players’ gesture also came on day after Wilson resigned from the Ferguson Police Department.
The St. Louis police union statement said the players “chose to ignore the mountains of evidence” released by the grand jury and engaged “in a display that police officers around the nation found tasteless, offensive and inflammatory.”
The group called for the players to be disciplined and accused the Rams and the NFL of being hypocritical.
"We respect and understand the concerns of all individuals who have expressed views on this tragic situation," the NFL said in a statement to The News.
Union business manager Jeff Roorda said it was “way out-of-bounds” for the players to conduct an on-field protest while being protected by officers who have been working 12-hour shifts and even gave up their Thanksgiving holiday to defend their community.
Wild Thing's comment.......
I agree with the police, what the 5 black players did was over the top and totally unacceptable. I agree with free speech, BUT these players are being paid to play football, NOT to use their time on the field to make a political statement against those that protect and serve our country as policemen.
Posted by Wild Thing at December 2, 2014 12:45 AM
