Cleveland Police Demands Apology from NFL Player for Protesting Tamir Rice's Shooting

Cleveland Police condemned Cleveland Browns player Andrew Hawkins' attempt to show support to late Tamir Rice and John Crawford by wearing a T-shirt calling for justice in the police shooting cases during a warm-up session before Sunday's NFL match against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Cleveland Police Union's head termed Hawkins' action as "pathetic" and demanded an apology from the player.

"It's pretty pathetic when athletes think they know the law. They should stick to what they do best on the field. The Cleveland Police protect and serve Browns stadium. The Browns organization owes us an apology," said Jeffrey Follmer, president of the Cleveland Police Patrolmen's Association, CNN reports.  

Responding to the comment, the 28-year-old receiver said that he should not have to apologize for calling for justice.

"A call for justice shouldn't offend or disrespect anybody. A call for justice shouldn't warrant an apology," Hawkins said, ESPN reports.

The T-shirt that Hawkins wore that had "Justice for Tamir Rice - John Crawford" written on the front and on the back it had "The Real Battle of Ohio" printed.

The vice-president of communications for the Cleveland Browns, Peter John-Baptiste, said that the NFL team has "great respect" for the work of the Cleveland Police. However, he defended Hawkins' position as well by saying: "We also respect our players' rights to project their support and bring awareness to issues that are important to them if done so in a responsible manner."

The 12-year-old boy, Tamir Rice, was shot dead by Cleveland Police in November when he was playing with a toy air gun in a public park. The medical examiners ruled Friday that Rice's death was a homicide. Authorities clarified that the officer who shot dead the child mistook the air gun he was carrying for a real firearm.

Crawford was also killed by the police for carrying an air gun which he had found in a Walmart store in Beavercreek, Ohio.