St. Louis Rams Deny 'Apology' to Local Law Enforcement for Players Solidarity With Ferguson
Rams reach out to four different St. Louis police organizations in an effort to smooth over lingering anger, but team spokesman Artis Twyman said the team ‘did not apologize’ for the acts of its players
The NFL also chose not to discipline five Rams players who put their hands up in a show of solidarity with Ferguson protesters
BY OREN YANIV , JASON MOLINET
NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
Tuesday, December 2, 2014, 1:40 AM
Rams COO Kevin Demoff tried to satisfy the outcry by local cops when he called St. Louis County Police Chief Jon Belmar on Monday and expressed regret for the players' actions on Sunday.
St. Louis County Police Chief Jon Belmar said the St. Louis Rams apologized to local law enforcement officials Monday after five players walked onto the field Sunday with their arms raised high in solidarity with the Ferguson protesters, a claim the team denied in a bizarre war of words that erupted overnight between the team and cops.
Police immediately cried foul at the act during the Rams' Week 13 home blowout of the Oakland Raiders, but the NFL sacked the cops' request and chose not to discipline the players.
There was still fallout to manage and Rams COO Kevin Demoff tried to satisfy the outcry by local cops when he called Belmar on Monday and apologized for the players' unsanctioned actions, according to the chief.
"Mr. Demoff clearly regretted that any members of the Ram's (sic) organization would act in a way that minimized the outstanding work that police officers and departments carry out each and every day," Belmar said in an email to the department, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported. "My impression of the call was that it was heartfelt and I assured him that I would share it with my staff."
Five black football players took the gridiron Sunday with the "hands up, don't shoot" gesture that came to symbolize the uproar following the shooting death of black teenager Michael Brown by white police officer Darren Wilson.
Rams COO Kevin Demoff called St. Louis County Police Chief Jon Belmar following the players’ gesture after outcry from local cops.
The St. Louis Police Officers Association called the athletes' gesture "tasteless, offensive and inflammatory" and asked the league to throw a flag on them.
The Rams said the organization had “positive discussions” with St. Louis Metropolitan Police Chief Sam Dotson, St. Louis County Police Chief Jon Belmar and representatives of the St. Louis Police Officers Association and St. Louis County Police Association.
“We expressed our respect for their concerns surrounding yesterday’s game,” the Rams said in a statement late Monday. “What has transpired over the past four months is a tragedy that has impacted our entire community. Together we are beginning a healing process that will require time, energy and honest dialogue. The Rams will continue to build on what have always been strong and valued relationships with local law enforcement and the greater St. Louis community as we come together to help heal our region.”
But CNN’s Rachel Nichols said Rams spokesman Artis Twyman told CNN the team “did not apologize” to St. Louis police.
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| St. Louis Rams express solidarity with Ferguson struggle. |
The NFL also chose not to discipline five Rams players who put their hands up in a show of solidarity with Ferguson protesters
BY OREN YANIV , JASON MOLINET
NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
Tuesday, December 2, 2014, 1:40 AM
Rams COO Kevin Demoff tried to satisfy the outcry by local cops when he called St. Louis County Police Chief Jon Belmar on Monday and expressed regret for the players' actions on Sunday.
St. Louis County Police Chief Jon Belmar said the St. Louis Rams apologized to local law enforcement officials Monday after five players walked onto the field Sunday with their arms raised high in solidarity with the Ferguson protesters, a claim the team denied in a bizarre war of words that erupted overnight between the team and cops.
Police immediately cried foul at the act during the Rams' Week 13 home blowout of the Oakland Raiders, but the NFL sacked the cops' request and chose not to discipline the players.
There was still fallout to manage and Rams COO Kevin Demoff tried to satisfy the outcry by local cops when he called Belmar on Monday and apologized for the players' unsanctioned actions, according to the chief.
"Mr. Demoff clearly regretted that any members of the Ram's (sic) organization would act in a way that minimized the outstanding work that police officers and departments carry out each and every day," Belmar said in an email to the department, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported. "My impression of the call was that it was heartfelt and I assured him that I would share it with my staff."
Five black football players took the gridiron Sunday with the "hands up, don't shoot" gesture that came to symbolize the uproar following the shooting death of black teenager Michael Brown by white police officer Darren Wilson.
Rams COO Kevin Demoff called St. Louis County Police Chief Jon Belmar following the players’ gesture after outcry from local cops.
The St. Louis Police Officers Association called the athletes' gesture "tasteless, offensive and inflammatory" and asked the league to throw a flag on them.
The Rams said the organization had “positive discussions” with St. Louis Metropolitan Police Chief Sam Dotson, St. Louis County Police Chief Jon Belmar and representatives of the St. Louis Police Officers Association and St. Louis County Police Association.
“We expressed our respect for their concerns surrounding yesterday’s game,” the Rams said in a statement late Monday. “What has transpired over the past four months is a tragedy that has impacted our entire community. Together we are beginning a healing process that will require time, energy and honest dialogue. The Rams will continue to build on what have always been strong and valued relationships with local law enforcement and the greater St. Louis community as we come together to help heal our region.”
But CNN’s Rachel Nichols said Rams spokesman Artis Twyman told CNN the team “did not apologize” to St. Louis police.
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