NFL To St. Louis Police Demanding An Apology Over ‘Hands Up’ Protest: No
The St. Louis Police Officers Association demanded a “very public apology” and discipline for five players who participated in an on-field protest on Sunday. The police have their answer now: No.
The Rams players who supported Ferguson, Missouri, protesters with a silent protest, will not be fined by the league.
“I know that there are those that will say that these players are simply exercising their First Amendment rights,” SLPOA business manager Jeff Roorda said in a statement earlier. “Well, I’ve got news for people who think that way: Cops have First Amendment rights too, and we plan to exercise ours. I’d remind the NFL and their players that it is not the violent thugs burning down buildings that buy their advertiser’s products. It’s cops and the good people of St. Louis and other NFL towns that do. Somebody needs to throw a flag on this play. If it’s not the NFL and the Rams, then it’ll be cops and their supporters.”
Brian McCarthy, the NFL’s VP of communications, responded in a statement on Monday:
“We respect and understand the concerns of all individuals who have expressed views on this tragic situation.”
“We kind of came collectively together and decided we wanted to do something,” Cook said after the game. “We haven’t been able to go down to Ferguson to do anything because we have been busy. Secondly, it’s kind of dangerous down there and none of us want to get caught up in anything.:
“So we wanted to come out and show our respect to the protests and the people who have been doing a heck of a job around the world.”
Watch courtesy of ESPN:
H/T: My pal @KnittingKnots with thanks.
Copyright 2014 Liberaland
By: Anomaly100
mea_mark December 1st, 2014 at 15:49
If the police don’t like the publicity that is going on out there, then they should think about the actions that are causing it. Like gunning people down when they shouldn’t be.
whatthe46 December 1st, 2014 at 16:34
you can carla keep saying the same things i wanna say. lol
Carla Akins December 1st, 2014 at 16:54
Great minds and all that…
M D Reese December 1st, 2014 at 19:12
I’m way late to the party, so I’m just up-clicking you guys.
mea_mark December 1st, 2014 at 17:15
You are just going to have to be quicker. lol
mea_mark December 1st, 2014 at 16:49
If the police don’t like the publicity that is going on out there, then they should think about the actions that are causing it. Like gunning people down when they shouldn’t be.
whatthe46 December 1st, 2014 at 17:34
you can carla keep saying the same things i wanna say. lol
Carla Akins December 1st, 2014 at 17:54
Great minds and all that…
M D Reese December 1st, 2014 at 20:12
I’m way late to the party, so I’m just up-clicking you guys.
mea_mark December 1st, 2014 at 18:15
You are just going to have to be quicker. lol
R.J. Carter December 1st, 2014 at 15:50
I’m not surprised the Rams did this. (I’m shocked as hell at the score of the game, though!)
I’m more surprised that people are that upset, but I can understand their frustrations. It’s their money paying for the game, and their money that the team has their hands out to to pay for the butt-ugly stadium dome.
neworleans878 December 1st, 2014 at 16:07
I was shocked too. Saw the game last week against K.C. where the Raiders won…you’d have thought they’d won the Super Bowl at the end! Don’t blame them, though.
whatthe46 December 1st, 2014 at 16:33
but, tebow can take a knee and no one complains.
R.J. Carter December 1st, 2014 at 16:44
I believe a number of people complained, actually.
I don’t think the NFL should fine the Rams players — that’s ludicrous. I’m just saying I can see why some people would be upset, after their money was put into the operation.
Anomaly 100 December 1st, 2014 at 18:19
I never understood the uproar over Tim Tebow saying a prayer.
M D Reese December 1st, 2014 at 19:10
I did–if you mean on the field. Public prayer is annoying–especially when you have paid to be entertained. I wish Christians would actually follow their Christ and go into their closets to pray in private. Public prayer is just to reassure the rest of the tribe that you believe exactly like they do, and to make those who don’t believe be made aware that they are considered to be the “Other” and not part of the tribe.
Anomaly 100 December 1st, 2014 at 20:09
Public prayer is not illegal. I have no issue with Muslims praying in public, on the field or off, so I didn’t take issue with Tebow.
I pray quietly at home or at church, but I don’t care if others pray publicly.
M D Reese December 2nd, 2014 at 15:26
Well good for you. I find it selfish, arrogant, and extremely annoying.
Anomaly 100 December 2nd, 2014 at 16:26
Annoying is not illegal though. Just sayin’.
M D Reese December 3rd, 2014 at 17:57
Oh I’m well aware of that.
Anomaly 100 December 3rd, 2014 at 19:24
But if I said a silent prayer to myself and that made you want to kill me, I’d have to wonder about you.
M D Reese December 3rd, 2014 at 20:57
If you were saying a silent prayer in your head without moving your lips,or clasping your hands or looking skyward towards the imaginary kingdom, I would have no way of knowing. I can’t read minds. And for the record, I don’t hate anybody (waste of time) nor would I ever kill anybody intentionally unless in defense of my life or another’s life.
That said, if you were standing around in front of my house acting creepy like a stalker, I would report you to the police as such, and/or get a restraining order if you threatened me.
Or I could just go stand in front of YOUR house and stare at it while you’re home I guess–Creeping you out. What’s good for the goose. I would really rather you just walk on by though and go bug somebody else.
Anomaly 100 December 4th, 2014 at 07:44
LOL @ “without moving my lips.”
You see, they are my lips. Not anyone else’s and I move them when I want to. If my lips offend you then so be it.
M D Reese December 4th, 2014 at 12:16
I did not say that your lips “offend” me, nor did I say that they would “offend me”. I said that if you were “praying” without giving any outward and obvious indications that you were praying, then I WOULDN’T EVEN KNOW that you were praying. If you were stalking me, then I would not be offended, I would be creeped out. Actually, I’m getting a little creeped out right now. Make that moderately creeped out.
Anomaly 100 December 4th, 2014 at 17:55
By me? OK.
R.J. Carter December 1st, 2014 at 16:50
I’m not surprised the Rams did this. (I’m shocked as hell at the score of the game, though!)
I’m more surprised that people are that upset, but I can understand their frustrations. It’s their money paying for the game, and their money that the team has their hands out to to pay for the butt-ugly stadium dome.
nola878 December 1st, 2014 at 17:07
I was shocked too. Saw the game last week against K.C. where the Raiders won…you’d have thought they’d won the Super Bowl at the end! Don’t blame them, though.
whatthe46 December 1st, 2014 at 17:33
but, tebow can take a knee and no one complains.
R.J. Carter December 1st, 2014 at 17:44
I believe a number of people complained, actually.
I don’t think the NFL should fine the Rams players — that’s ludicrous. I’m just saying I can see why some people would be upset, after their money was put into the operation.
Anomaly 100 December 1st, 2014 at 19:19
I never understood the uproar over Tim Tebow saying a prayer.
M D Reese December 1st, 2014 at 20:10
I did–if you mean on the field. Public prayer is annoying–especially when you have paid to be entertained. I wish Christians would actually follow their Christ and go into their closets to pray in private. Public prayer is just to reassure the rest of the tribe that you believe exactly like they do, and to make those who don’t believe be made aware that they are considered to be the “Other” and not part of the tribe.
Anomaly 100 December 1st, 2014 at 21:09
Public prayer is not illegal. I have no issue with Muslims praying in public, on the field or off, so I didn’t take issue with Tebow.
I pray quietly at home or at church, but I don’t care if others pray publicly.
M D Reese December 2nd, 2014 at 16:26
Well good for you. I find it selfish, arrogant, and extremely annoying.
Anomaly 100 December 2nd, 2014 at 17:26
Annoying is not illegal though. Just sayin’.
M D Reese December 3rd, 2014 at 18:57
Oh I’m well aware of that. Well, actually, it can be. If someone stood on the sidewalk in front of my house and yelled religious verses at me and told me that I was going to hell if I didn’t accept jeebus as my lord and master, I’m guessing that would be illegal. If they followed my around haranguing me with their crap, that would be stalking and harassment. It’s disturbing the peace if nothing else. In some places it could probably them shot.
Anomaly 100 December 3rd, 2014 at 20:24
But if I said a silent prayer to myself and that made you want to kill me, I’d have to wonder about you.
M D Reese December 3rd, 2014 at 21:57
If you were saying a silent prayer in your head without moving your lips,or clasping your hands or looking skyward towards the imaginary kingdom, I would have no way of knowing. I can’t read minds. And for the record, I don’t hate anybody (waste of time) nor would I ever kill anybody intentionally unless in defense of my life or another’s life.
That said, if you were standing around in front of my house acting creepy like a stalker, I would report you to the police as such, and/or get a restraining order if you threatened me.
Or I could just go stand in front of YOUR house and stare at it while you’re home I guess–Creeping you out in return. I would really rather you just walk on by though and go bug somebody else.
My comment about them possibly getting shot is that I live in a stand your ground state that has basically NO gun laws. I don’t have a gun, but I just assume that all of my neighbors do.
Anomaly 100 December 4th, 2014 at 08:44
LOL @ “without moving my lips.”
You see, they are my lips. Not anyone else’s and I move them when I want to. If my lips offend you then so be it.
M D Reese December 4th, 2014 at 13:16
I did not say that your lips “offend” me, nor did I say that they would “offend me”. I said that if you were “praying” without giving any outward and obvious indications that you were praying, then I WOULDN’T EVEN KNOW that you were praying. If you were stalking me, then I would not be offended, I would be creeped out. Actually, I’m getting a little creeped out right now. Make that moderately creeped out.
Anomaly 100 December 4th, 2014 at 18:55
By me? OK.
CMathues December 1st, 2014 at 15:55
Silent protest…..punish them! Punch a woman….no big deal.
M D Reese December 1st, 2014 at 19:05
I just watched an interview with the woman who was knocked unconscious and seems to think it was no big deal–Unbelievable. One of them is likely to end up in the hospital or dead–just a matter of time–and it will most likely be her.
Leannie December 1st, 2014 at 16:55
Silent protest…..punish them! Punch a woman….no big deal.
M D Reese December 1st, 2014 at 20:05
I just watched an interview with the woman who was knocked unconscious and seems to think it was no big deal–Unbelievable. One of them is likely to end up in the hospital or dead–just a matter of time–and it will most likely be her.
neworleans878 December 1st, 2014 at 16:03
Reminds me of the 1968 Mexico City Olympics.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:1968_Olympics_Black_Power_salute.jpg
Full story here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1968_Olympics_Black_Power_salute
Good for those gentlemen in 68…who were punished because politics “have no place in the Olympics” yet let athletes use the Nazi salute in 1936…and good for those gentlemen yesterday.
M D Reese December 1st, 2014 at 18:59
It also reminds me of Muhammad Ali who stood up and went to jail rather than be drafted and sent overseas by white men to kill yellow men who had never done him any harm, when he as a black man wasn’t even considered to be a full citizen in his own country. I really admired him for that. He is an amazing man.
nola878 December 1st, 2014 at 17:03
Reminds me of the 1968 Mexico City Olympics.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:1968_Olympics_Black_Power_salute.jpg
Full story here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1968_Olympics_Black_Power_salute
Good for those gentlemen in 68…who were punished because politics “have no place in the Olympics” yet let athletes use the Nazi salute in 1936…and good for those gentlemen yesterday.
M D Reese December 1st, 2014 at 19:59
It also reminds me of Muhammad Ali who stood up and went to jail rather than be drafted and sent overseas by white men to kill yellow men who had never done him any harm, when he as a black man wasn’t even considered to be a full citizen in his own country. I really admired him for that. He is an amazing man.
Carla Akins December 1st, 2014 at 16:31
*snicker* good for them.
whatthe46 December 1st, 2014 at 16:33
that’s what i said.
Carla Akins December 1st, 2014 at 17:31
*snicker* good for them.
whatthe46 December 1st, 2014 at 17:33
that’s what i said.
Hirightnow December 1st, 2014 at 16:38
Now,come out next game Cabbage-Patching and singing “Go Protest! Go Protest…”
Hirightnow December 1st, 2014 at 17:38
Now,come out next game Cabbage-Patching and singing “Go Protest! Go Protest…”
Shades December 1st, 2014 at 16:45
Not. Getting. One.
Shades December 1st, 2014 at 17:45
Not. Getting. One.
fairmont66 December 1st, 2014 at 16:48
Hey St. Louis PD they just told you where you can stick your demands!
fairmont66 December 1st, 2014 at 17:48
Hey St. Louis PD they just told you where you can stick your demands!
New Old Gnu December 1st, 2014 at 18:01
How long will it Be before we Hear of One of Those Players “Having a Problem” (Completely Unrelated, OF COURSE) With a St Louis Area Police Agency, while either Driving, or “Out in Public” ?? : )
tracey marie December 1st, 2014 at 18:02
far to soon, or a young man wearing a football jersey
New Old Gnu December 1st, 2014 at 18:09
With THAT State’s Attorney, I’m Sure that if they Kill “The Wrong guy” but
Explain that “They” THOUGHT He was One of Those Players …… They’ll “Walk” !! : )
tracey marie December 1st, 2014 at 18:12
sad isn’t Gnu.
New Old Gnu December 1st, 2014 at 18:14
Yeh Buddy : ) AND Pitiful that It’s NOT Gonna Change any time Soon !
M D Reese December 1st, 2014 at 18:55
Wearing a football jersey off the field will be called “thug” attire now…
New Old Gnu December 1st, 2014 at 19:07
Theryago, MD : ) … Good to Seeya : )
M D Reese December 2nd, 2014 at 15:37
You too!
New Old Gnu December 1st, 2014 at 19:01
How long will it Be before we Hear of One of Those Players “Having a Problem” (Completely Unrelated, OF COURSE) With a St Louis Area Police Agency, while either Driving, or “Out in Public” ?? : )
tracey marie December 1st, 2014 at 19:02
far to soon, or a young man wearing a football jersey
New Old Gnu December 1st, 2014 at 19:09
With THAT State’s Attorney, I’m Sure that if they Kill “The Wrong guy” but
Explain that “They” THOUGHT He was One of Those Players …… They’ll “Walk” !! : )
tracey marie December 1st, 2014 at 19:12
sad isn’t Gnu.
New Old Gnu December 1st, 2014 at 19:14
Yeh Buddy : ) AND Pitiful that It’s NOT Gonna Change any time Soon !
M D Reese December 1st, 2014 at 19:55
Wearing a football jersey off the field will be called “thug” attire now…
New Old Gnu December 1st, 2014 at 20:07
Theryago, MD : ) … Good to Seeya : )
M D Reese December 2nd, 2014 at 16:37
You too!
M D Reese December 1st, 2014 at 18:24
Their action was exactly right, and it graphically brought home the point that young black men in this country are in constant danger of being shot by the cops–especially if they are running for any reason.
New Old Gnu December 1st, 2014 at 18:26
After THIS, Probably, EVEN if They’re running on a Football Field !! : )
M D Reese December 1st, 2014 at 18:54
My thought as well. I’m really sick of the resurgence of the vilest of the vile in racism. I saw this movie back in the 50s and 60s. In a lot of ways, it’s actually WORSE now, because we really should be so far beyond this crap.
New Old Gnu December 1st, 2014 at 19:21
From ONE Perspective, it IS “Worse”, Now, simply because this IS NOT 1954 to 64 !! ….. IT’S 2014 !! … One would THINK We’d be a Little More OBVIOUSLY “Past” This “Level” of Racism, by Now …. Especially SICKENING that the Main Reason we’re Not is Because it’s become SO Politicized to the Point that SO MANY People (Right) find themselves, actually, supporting a Political Faction that Perpetuates it ……. Because THEY MUST OPPOSE ANYTHING seen as “Liberal” ….. EVEN if THAT is the “Right Thing” to DO !! : )
M D Reese December 2nd, 2014 at 15:36
I agree. And the cognitive dissonance is deafening. I have an acquaintance who lives in a “right to work” state. She was always bragging about how she didn’t have to pay union dues to those “thugs” blah blah blah, and how she was going to make a lot of retirement money in her 401k and so on. Well, her man Bush crashed the economy, her 401k went down the toilet, and she’ll be working until she’s 75. Meanwhile, I had a good union job for 12 years, worked at an ESOP company with bennies and profit sharing, and was able to retire at 60. But I can’t get any of that through to her—oh no, Liberals are bad for the economy and Unions are commie-pinko thugs.
New Old Gnu December 2nd, 2014 at 15:45
L M A O (While Crying) Sounds Like My “Ex” ….. Detests the Wealthy CEO who’s Company Recently “Acquired” the One SHE works for and has Eliminated about Half of her Fellow employess and SOON, will Her too ……. But MUST Adamantly Deny “Economic Inequality” has GROWN in this Country and Vehemently SUPPORTS “The Right” that FAVORS people like HIM and Portrays folks like Her as just “Making Bad Decisions in Life” and Not “Planning Ahead !! : )
It’d be HILARIOUS …. If only it wasn’t So SAD !!
M D Reese December 3rd, 2014 at 18:15
Yes! I just want to SHOUT at them and bang my shoe on the table until they start paying some damn attention. It’s absolutely freaking nuts.
But remember what Joni Mitchell said–“laughing and crying–you know it’s the same release…”
epazote December 1st, 2014 at 20:55
I believe Roorda should be forced to make a very public apology for on duty cops wearing “I Am Darren Wilson” wristbands
M D Reese December 2nd, 2014 at 15:10
Indeed.
M D Reese December 1st, 2014 at 19:24
Their action was exactly right, and it graphically brought home the point that young black men in this country are in constant danger of being shot by the cops–especially if they are running for any reason.
New Old Gnu December 1st, 2014 at 19:26
After THIS, Probably, EVEN if They’re running on a Football Field !! : )
M D Reese December 1st, 2014 at 19:54
My thought as well. I’m really sick of the resurgence of the vilest of the vile in racism. I saw this movie back in the 50s and 60s. In a lot of ways, it’s actually WORSE now, because we really should be so far beyond this crap.
New Old Gnu December 1st, 2014 at 20:21
From ONE Perspective, it IS “Worse”, Now, simply because this IS NOT 1954 to 64 !! ….. IT’S 2014 !! … One would THINK We’d be a Little More OBVIOUSLY “Past” This “Level” of Racism, by Now …. Especially SICKENING that the Main Reason we’re Not is Because it’s become SO Politicized to the Point that SO MANY People (Right) find themselves, actually, supporting a Political Faction that Perpetuates it ……. Because THEY MUST OPPOSE ANYTHING seen as “Liberal” ….. EVEN if THAT is the “Right Thing” to DO !! : )
M D Reese December 2nd, 2014 at 16:36
I agree. And the cognitive dissonance is deafening. I have an acquaintance who lives in a “right to work” state. She was always bragging about how she didn’t have to pay union dues to those “thugs” blah blah blah, and how she was going to make a lot of retirement money in her 401k and so on. Well, her man Bush crashed the economy, her 401k went down the toilet, and she’ll be working until she’s 75. Meanwhile, I had a good union job for 12 years, worked at an ESOP company with bennies and profit sharing, and was able to retire at 60. But I can’t get any of that through to her—oh no, Liberals are bad for the economy and Unions are commie-pinko thugs.
New Old Gnu December 2nd, 2014 at 16:45
L M A O (While Crying) Sounds Like My “Ex” ….. Detests the Wealthy CEO who’s Company Recently “Acquired” the One SHE works for and has Eliminated about Half of her Fellow employess and SOON, will Her too ……. But MUST Adamantly Deny “Economic Inequality” has GROWN in this Country and Vehemently SUPPORTS “The Right” that FAVORS people like HIM and Portrays folks like Her as just “Making Bad Decisions in Life” and Not “Planning Ahead !! : )
It’d be HILARIOUS …. If only it wasn’t So SAD !!
M D Reese December 3rd, 2014 at 19:15
Yes! I just want to SHOUT at them and bang my shoe on the table until they start paying some damn attention. It’s absolutely freaking nuts.
But remember what Joni Mitchell said–“laughing and crying–you know it’s the same release…”
epazote December 1st, 2014 at 21:55
I believe Roorda should be forced to make a very public apology for on duty cops wearing “I Am Darren Wilson” wristbands
M D Reese December 2nd, 2014 at 16:10
Indeed.