Browns WR Andrew Hawkins yesterday "slipped on a black T-shirt" over his jersey prior to the team's home game against the Bengals as a "silent protest of recent deadly Ohio police shootings that drew an immediate and scathing response from the Cleveland Police Patrolmen's Association," according to Jason Molinet of the N.Y. DAILY NEWS. Hawkins' shirt read: "Justice for Tamir Rice and John Crawford." CPPA President Jeffrey Follmer in a statement said, "It's pretty pathetic when athletes think they know the law. They should stick to what they know best on the field" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 12/15). The Browns responded with a statement that read: "We have great respect for the Cleveland Police Department and the work that they do to protect and serve our city. 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" (ESPN.com, 12/14).
CREATING A BUZZ: Hornets G Gerald Henderson said that
he and his teammates wearing "I Can’t Breathe" T-shirts while warming up for Saturday’s home game against the Nets "wasn’t about anger or protest, but rather spreading awareness." Henderson: "For me it’s just an awareness thing. I didn’t wear it to say anybody was wrong in doing anything." He added that "no one was pressured to be part of the gesture." Henderson: "We decided as a team to wear them. You see a lot of different teams, a lot of different guys, wearing them" (
CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 12/15).
