St. Louis Rams, Police Disagree Over 'Apology' for Players' Ferguson Gesture

[Purveyor]

Dec 2, 2014, 12:23 AM ET
By DAN GOOD and JOSHUA HOYOS

A St. Louis Rams official spoke with local police officials Monday, after five players from the team entered their home field Sunday with their arms raised, showing support for nearby Ferguson – a gesture that drew ire from law enforcement. But Rams Chief Operating Officer Kevin Demoff and police officials disagree over whether Demoff’s efforts marked an apology.

Demoff says he did not apologize for the players’ actions.

"In those conversations, I expressed regret that players actions were construed negatively against law enforcement," Demoff told ESPN.com.

"At no time in any of the conversations did I apologize for the actions of our players," Demoff added. "[The Rams] do believe it is possible to support both our players' first amendment rights and the efforts of local law enforcement to make this a better community."

Demoff’s statement was spurned by St. Louis County Police Chief Jon Belmar sending an email to staff Monday, alerting them of Demoff’s “apology.”

“I received a very nice call this morning from Mr. Kevin Demoff of the St. Louis Rams who wanted to take the opportunity to apologize to our department on behalf of the Rams for the ‘Hands Up’ gesture that some players took the field with yesterday,” the email reads.

more...

http://abcnews.go.com/Sports/st-louis-rams-police-disagree-apology-players-ferguson/story?id=27295696

[Cha]

1. Oh this is Good! Thank you for this update on the "apology", Purveyor.

[Blue_Tires]

2. Weak...Demoff shouldn't have met with them or fucking apologized for jack shit

When does Black America get its apology from LEOs, judges and prosecutors intentionally throwing their case away?

[Kalidurga]

3. it is possible to support both our players' first amendment rights,,,

and the efforts of local law enforcement to make this a better community."


Great when does law enforcement start making better communities?

[Rex]

4. So the Chief lied. Or Demoff did.

Why such the worry over players having an opinion? Touchy nerves.

[geek tragedy]

8. amazing how those most likely to brandish weapons are the most delicate of flowers

when it comes to their fee-fees being hurt

[Rex]

10. Guilty conscience.

IMO, otherwise why care what someone's opinion is?

[Cha]

5. KICK!

[cwydro]

6. I had a feeling that the NFL

would act like weasels and apologize behind closed doors.

Pathetic.

[geek tragedy]

7. Man, the St Louis PD is doing everything they can to make me hate cops nt

[Rex]

11. IKR? I am bigtime pro law enforcement

Yet St. Louis PD is really making me hate law enforcement too.

[Gothmog]

9. There was nothing to apologize for

[Nye Bevan]

12. "Express regret" versus "apologize"? Seems like splitting hairs to me (nt)

[SweetieD]

13. In my opinion it was an apology and unneccesary.