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cali

(114,904 posts)
Mon Dec 1, 2014, 01:10 PM Dec 2014

NFL to St Louis Police: No we won't discipline the Rams players

The NFL will not adhere to a request from the St. Louis Police Officer’s Association to discipline St. Louis Rams players who did the “hands up, don’t shoot” pose used by protesters in Ferguson, Mo. during pre-game introductions on Sunday.

“We respect and understand the concerns of all individuals who have expressed views on this tragic situation,” NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said in a statement to USA TODAY Sports.

The police officer’s association issued a letter late Sunday condemning the players’ actions as “tasteless, offensive and inflammatory” given a grand jury’s decision not to indict Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson in the fatal shooting of black teenager Michael Brown.

Five Rams players raised their hands as they walked out of the tunnel onto the field at the Edwards Jones Dome before Sunday’s game against the Oakland Raiders.

<snip>

Tight end Jared Cook said he and his teammates wanted to show solidarity with protesters, because they had not been able to physically join them since the grand jury’s announcement was made last week. Cook said his family members went to Ferguson last week and reported back to him what they saw.

<snip>

http://ftw.usatoday.com/2014/12/nfl-rams-ferguson-protest

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NFL to St Louis Police: No we won't discipline the Rams players (Original Post) cali Dec 2014 OP
There you go, cops demanding respect no matter what, as if saying NoJusticeNoPeace Dec 2014 #1
Why do I picture Cartman saying "Respect my authoritah!!" Initech Dec 2014 #6
Cartman's got it right... left_of_center Dec 2014 #42
“tasteless, offensive and inflammatory” olegramps Dec 2014 #25
Ah...the undermining authority = treason stratagem. BadgerKid Dec 2014 #54
Good for the NFL (management). Contact info for the Players Association (the union) below: KingCharlemagne Dec 2014 #2
thumbs up NFL! napkinz Dec 2014 #3
Never thought I'd find myself agreeing with that. calimary Dec 2014 #48
There's only one appropriate response to this: Ykcutnek Dec 2014 #4
yes indeed. perfect. cali Dec 2014 #11
My facebook feed is filled with "outraged" people. Inkfreak Dec 2014 #5
St. Louis Police Association as the same mentality Dawson Leery Dec 2014 #7
Blue code gang. L0oniX Dec 2014 #36
video Go Vols Dec 2014 #8
Excellent damnedifIknow Dec 2014 #9
I agree with the NFL on this totally. Mr.Bill Dec 2014 #10
So SLPD will be shooting one of those players soon. Just to teach them a lesson. nt TeamPooka Dec 2014 #12
No they will not. pangaia Dec 2014 #33
Never say never. nt TeamPooka Dec 2014 #44
They may not, but you know there are most likely quite a few who were thinking it. nt logosoco Dec 2014 #49
The players who had their hands up are black, that's not far fetched uponit7771 Dec 2014 #55
Not unless they're in a car or on the street while wearing pants with a waistband nt geek tragedy Dec 2014 #59
Good for the players hifiguy Dec 2014 #13
Smart. JohnnyRingo Dec 2014 #14
Police appear to be such unbelievably delicate flowers 99th_Monkey Dec 2014 #15
ROFL. BootinUp Dec 2014 #16
Good, as they should. K&R uppityperson Dec 2014 #17
Every cop in America should kneel before the public aint_no_life_nowhere Dec 2014 #18
Agree! As long as they cover for each other, they are all bad. mountain grammy Dec 2014 #22
Screw the police... joeybee12 Dec 2014 #19
Raising hands reflects badly on the police lark Dec 2014 #20
So the cops, for their part in all of this, grab their riot gear SomethingFishy Dec 2014 #21
I am proud of each and every one of these players mountain grammy Dec 2014 #23
The St. Louis Rams should tell the Police Assoc... Historic NY Dec 2014 #24
They may have to customerserviceguy Dec 2014 #28
I sure the Highway Patrol would jump at it.. Historic NY Dec 2014 #37
"uhhh... yonder Dec 2014 #47
Who do you think takes down crazies in a hospital? ieoeja Dec 2014 #65
Hmmm customerserviceguy Dec 2014 #69
Waaaaaa! BanzaiBonnie Dec 2014 #26
While I agree with the NFLs stance I do think the players involved should issue an apology. cstanleytech Dec 2014 #27
If they were decent and honest they wouldn't want any apology save from their side of the Blue Wall TheKentuckian Dec 2014 #40
Kicked and recommended! Enthusiast Dec 2014 #29
Our whole nation is waiting for an apology from randr Dec 2014 #30
Way to go NFL. Those brave players need to be honored, not pilloried. Dont call me Shirley Dec 2014 #31
1st Amendment rights..... RationalMan Dec 2014 #32
I'm gaining a lot of respect for the NFL! MoonRiver Dec 2014 #34
Those players are large black men Bluzmann57 Dec 2014 #35
I agree with the NFL this time. TNNurse Dec 2014 #38
k&r n/t lordsummerisle Dec 2014 #39
Good for the NFL -- Fuck the St. Loui police for having the gall to even "request" such a thing. nt whathehell Dec 2014 #41
I feel the same way harun Dec 2014 #63
Republicans The Wizard Dec 2014 #43
They just don't get it. cui bono Dec 2014 #45
who writes these things? ashling Dec 2014 #46
It is wording that is meant to imply that the request is authoritative & to be obeyed. Faryn Balyncd Dec 2014 #50
I suppose it could show bias ashling Dec 2014 #51
The NFL knows if they punished the players, they could face serious blowback. BillZBubb Dec 2014 #52
Eggs xactly. The Commish has a feces eating grin about this. RedCloud Dec 2014 #68
Now let's see more athletes... americannightmare Dec 2014 #53
Advanced Citizenship isn't such easy thing for police to grasp. imthevicar Dec 2014 #56
There is only one response: F**k You St. Louis Police. /nt dballance Dec 2014 #57
And now they say they got an apology. cwydro Dec 2014 #58
I'd like to see my Lions do some o' that. navarth Dec 2014 #60
There it is, punishment on the spot mrdmk Dec 2014 #61
Man, those St. Louis cops have a thin skin. They should have just ignored it librechik Dec 2014 #62
Good! There are a lot of authoritarian fucking pigs that really hate the First Amendment. nt ohnoyoudidnt Dec 2014 #64
so they got one right for a change (but they have welcomed back ray rice) niyad Dec 2014 #66
I suggest ALL the teas do this:) grahamhgreen Dec 2014 #67

NoJusticeNoPeace

(5,018 posts)
1. There you go, cops demanding respect no matter what, as if saying
Mon Dec 1, 2014, 01:12 PM
Dec 2014

"you will god damn respect us, not question us, never show the slightest disrespect"

We must use our brains folks and realize we have a HUGE police problem.

HUGE

olegramps

(8,200 posts)
25. “tasteless, offensive and inflammatory”
Mon Dec 1, 2014, 05:05 PM
Dec 2014

Perfectly describes todays police treatment of citizens. Add, "disrespectful, bully", and a host of derogatory terms. They were looking in the mirror when they wrote that crap.

 

KingCharlemagne

(7,908 posts)
2. Good for the NFL (management). Contact info for the Players Association (the union) below:
Mon Dec 1, 2014, 01:15 PM
Dec 2014
https://www.nflplayers.com/About-us/Department--Contacts/

(Click on Communication tab to get email addresses for those who handle the media.)

calimary

(80,700 posts)
48. Never thought I'd find myself agreeing with that.
Mon Dec 1, 2014, 10:52 PM
Dec 2014

Not exactly a fan of the NFL. If that hyper-violent, obscenely greedy, and misogynist outfit were disbanded tomorrow I wouldn't shed a single tear. I'm actually surprised they did the right thing here. I can so rarely make such a statement about the NFL - and mean it sincerely.

Inkfreak

(1,695 posts)
5. My facebook feed is filled with "outraged" people.
Mon Dec 1, 2014, 01:23 PM
Dec 2014

Who couldn't be bothered posting one thing about Ray Rice. Now I generally give a shit what people post, it's not worth getting in a tizzy about. I just found it interesting that they are sooo appalled. Good on the NFL.

Dawson Leery

(19,348 posts)
7. St. Louis Police Association as the same mentality
Mon Dec 1, 2014, 01:35 PM
Dec 2014

as those in third world countries. Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Kazakhstan allow their police to censor those whom they disagree with as well as they are allowed to directly place legal proposals into the legislature without the consent of the committees for votes.

Mr.Bill

(24,104 posts)
10. I agree with the NFL on this totally.
Mon Dec 1, 2014, 01:54 PM
Dec 2014

But I remember years ago when a player's strike was looming and the players from opposing teams wanted to meet on the center of the field before the game and shake hands in a show of union solidarity, the NFL forbade them from doing it and threatened fines.

 

hifiguy

(33,688 posts)
13. Good for the players
Mon Dec 1, 2014, 02:44 PM
Dec 2014

and good for the NFL. The NFL seldom does the right thing, but they certainly did so in this case.

JohnnyRingo

(18,581 posts)
14. Smart.
Mon Dec 1, 2014, 03:08 PM
Dec 2014

Nothing to gain by admonishing the players. Besides, I believe the players offered their silent protest with much dignity and class.

No one is going to miss a single football game because the players went unpunished, regardless of what a few idiot armchair coaches may have said in their fits of racist anger.

 

99th_Monkey

(19,326 posts)
15. Police appear to be such unbelievably delicate flowers
Mon Dec 1, 2014, 03:18 PM
Dec 2014

They cannot even endure something like a few innocuous "hands-up, don't shoot" gestures without
immediately calling a Waambulance.

Un-fuking-beleivable. If they had just let it go by, without comment or whining, way fewer people
would even be aware of it ... by their whining, they actually are keeping the story alive for a few
more news cycles.

aint_no_life_nowhere

(21,925 posts)
18. Every cop in America should kneel before the public
Mon Dec 1, 2014, 03:31 PM
Dec 2014

and swear never to turn their backs to known criminal conduct on the part of their fellow cops and to immediately report known murderers and criminals in their midst. I believe that most cops conduct themselves with honor and a desire to serve the law, except when it comes to closing their ranks to hide the criminals among them. The fact that Wilson's initial statement at the station house was neither recorded with a tape recorder or even written down by the investigating officer could very well be a part of this kind of cover-up and I wouldn't put it past them. I'm glad the authoritarians couldn't get the NFL to comply.

mountain grammy

(26,571 posts)
22. Agree! As long as they cover for each other, they are all bad.
Mon Dec 1, 2014, 04:04 PM
Dec 2014

Good cops have got to start speaking up and speaking out.

lark

(23,003 posts)
20. Raising hands reflects badly on the police
Mon Dec 1, 2014, 03:43 PM
Dec 2014

but killing innocent unarmed black kids is totally OK and is just doing their job. What a disgusting lot those Ferguson/St. Louis/Mo. cops and their KKK supporters are.

SomethingFishy

(4,876 posts)
21. So the cops, for their part in all of this, grab their riot gear
Mon Dec 1, 2014, 03:55 PM
Dec 2014

their automatic weapons, and their military hardware and head out to the streets. They should be congratulated and thanked for the fine job they are doing. While the Rams players should be punished, for putting their hands in the air.

I give up.

Historic NY

(37,449 posts)
24. The St. Louis Rams should tell the Police Assoc...
Mon Dec 1, 2014, 04:08 PM
Dec 2014

if they're so aggrieved, then perhaps the Rams could get other police agencies hired on for game security.

customerserviceguy

(25,183 posts)
28. They may have to
Mon Dec 1, 2014, 06:20 PM
Dec 2014

Not sure if I'm absolutely right about this, but I had the impression that police were paid overtime wages by the NFL to show up at games and provide security. Of course, most of them like the opportunity to make extra money and the prestige of being at a game, but if there's a "blue flu" of St. Louis police officers turning down overtime for the next Rams home game, they might have to raid the malls for Paul Blarts.

It will be interesting to see what happens when lightly-trained rent-a-cops meet drunken fans in the stands.

 

ieoeja

(9,748 posts)
65. Who do you think takes down crazies in a hospital?
Tue Dec 2, 2014, 12:40 PM
Dec 2014

It isn't cops. It isn't orderlies and nurses. It sure as fuck isn't a doctor.

It's a rent-a-cop. And it's not a rent-a-cop with any more training than your local mall's rent-a-cop.

I'm a little guy who has dealt with a lot of drunks over the years. As a rule, the last thing you want to do is get physical. Most "rowdy" drunks need "protected", not "handled".

Cops actually make piss poor security because they can't seem to get either of those ideas through their thick skulls. Far too many of them get their panties in a bunch about some drunk not respecting their authority. What part about "drunk", do they not understand? Cops working security often cause more problems than they prevent.

In the worst case scenario, yes, they're the best at it. But the worst case scenario is extremely rare. While the rowdy drunk is an every day thing. I will take rent-a-cop security over police security at football games any day.


customerserviceguy

(25,183 posts)
69. Hmmm
Wed Dec 3, 2014, 10:08 PM
Dec 2014

Thanks for the insight from your perspective.

Still, it wouldn't surprise me if the next St. Louis home game gets "blue flu". Maybe it won't be the disaster I envisioned above, and that would sure be good for the folks attending the game.

BanzaiBonnie

(3,621 posts)
26. Waaaaaa!
Mon Dec 1, 2014, 05:12 PM
Dec 2014

If they have to take it personally, then there must be some reason. Why do they want to keep protecting and using their shield to cover for bad apples?


And I'm so happy to see this issue pop into our national consciousness.

cstanleytech

(26,082 posts)
27. While I agree with the NFLs stance I do think the players involved should issue an apology.
Mon Dec 1, 2014, 05:53 PM
Dec 2014

Say along the lines of "To any decent and honest police officers we sincerely apologize, to the ones who arent decent and honest go piss up a rope!!"

randr

(12,408 posts)
30. Our whole nation is waiting for an apology from
Mon Dec 1, 2014, 06:55 PM
Dec 2014

the St. Louis Police Officers Association not to mention disciplinary action for killing unarmed citizens.

Dont call me Shirley

(10,998 posts)
31. Way to go NFL. Those brave players need to be honored, not pilloried.
Mon Dec 1, 2014, 07:10 PM
Dec 2014

P.S. Just sent an email to NFL in support of those brave players.

RationalMan

(96 posts)
32. 1st Amendment rights.....
Mon Dec 1, 2014, 07:47 PM
Dec 2014

I appreciate that the majority of police in this country are not like Darren Wilson but........

The members of the Rams have a constitutional right to express themselves without any need to apologize to anyone. The NFL has an opportunity, based on their rules and contracts, to restrict those rights in the context of an NFL event. It appears the NFL is not likely to do so.

The police have created an issue when there was none. They appear to be intolerant and their standing in the public eye is diminished.

Bluzmann57

(12,336 posts)
35. Those players are large black men
Mon Dec 1, 2014, 08:14 PM
Dec 2014

And are undoubtedly smart enough to realize that they could be targets without their uniforms on. I mean think about it, an African American who has some money, probably drives a nice car, lives in a nice house, and likely has nice clothing. They must be criminals to have all that. Right? So let's pull 'em over and if they even look like they are moving, shoot 'em! At least that's the way the cops are thinking.

harun

(11,348 posts)
63. I feel the same way
Tue Dec 2, 2014, 12:11 PM
Dec 2014

It is one thing to come out and stay they strongly disagree for any number of reasons, but to demand anything is going in the wrong direction.

They should be de-escalating every opportunity they get, not starting to look for new fights.

The Wizard

(12,482 posts)
43. Republicans
Mon Dec 1, 2014, 10:01 PM
Dec 2014

and their law enforcement handmaidens are professional victims. Their immediate responses are feigned outrage, knickers in a wad, the vapors and searching for the fainting couch.

cui bono

(19,926 posts)
45. They just don't get it.
Mon Dec 1, 2014, 10:48 PM
Dec 2014

Even if the grand jury didn't indict, there is still a problem with police killings of brown people.

Assholes.

ashling

(25,771 posts)
46. who writes these things?
Mon Dec 1, 2014, 10:48 PM
Dec 2014

"will not adhere to a request..."?

you can ignore a request

you can comply or not comply with a request

but "adhere" to a request? That's an awkward wording.

Faryn Balyncd

(5,125 posts)
50. It is wording that is meant to imply that the request is authoritative & to be obeyed.
Mon Dec 1, 2014, 11:07 PM
Dec 2014


This is not language of an unbiased journalist. It is the willful abuse of language designed to paint the NFL in an unfavorable light.


The propagandist masquerading as a journalist should be fired if USAToday wants to be a legitimate news organization rather than a conduit for RW memes.


Propaganda is most effective when the points to be made are not argued as propositions, but are hidden in the framing & the semantics.








BillZBubb

(10,650 posts)
52. The NFL knows if they punished the players, they could face serious blowback.
Tue Dec 2, 2014, 12:34 AM
Dec 2014

A good portion of the NFL workforce is no doubt sympathetic to the people of Ferguson. Punish those guys and things could spin out of control, maybe as far as a league wide work stoppage.

Letting it be means it probably ends in St. Louis.

RedCloud

(9,230 posts)
68. Eggs xactly. The Commish has a feces eating grin about this.
Tue Dec 2, 2014, 01:10 PM
Dec 2014

They know who butters their bread but I bet privately they don't think what they say.

 

cwydro

(51,308 posts)
58. And now they say they got an apology.
Tue Dec 2, 2014, 10:10 AM
Dec 2014

I sure hope not, but my cynicism leads me to believe the NFL is trying to have it both ways.

navarth

(5,927 posts)
60. I'd like to see my Lions do some o' that.
Tue Dec 2, 2014, 10:58 AM
Dec 2014

Damn betcha. Rams showed class there. Then went out and scored 52 points. Kharma.

mrdmk

(2,943 posts)
61. There it is, punishment on the spot
Tue Dec 2, 2014, 11:16 AM
Dec 2014

Here is an example of people not letting people be human.

The authoritarian types feel it is their place to set the rules and have everyone else obey no matter the circumstances.

It is the authoritarians who are out of control. Of course, it is in their nature not to get it...

librechik

(30,663 posts)
62. Man, those St. Louis cops have a thin skin. They should have just ignored it
Tue Dec 2, 2014, 11:23 AM
Dec 2014

Their comment makes them look far worse than mere silence would have.

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