Browns RB Isaiah Crowell pledges first game check to Dallas police after disturbing Instagram post - Los Angeles Times
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Browns RB Isaiah Crowell pledges first game check to Dallas police after disturbing Instagram post

Cleveland's Isaiah Crowell runs the ball during practice on June 1.
(Tony Dejak / Associated Press)
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Cleveland Browns running back Isaiah Crowell has apologized again for posting an illustration of a police officer getting his neck slashed by a hooded man last week on Instagram.

And this time he wants to show he really means it, by pledging his first game check to the Dallas Fallen Officer Foundation.

“I know this may not change your mind about me and I know I can’t take the post back, but I’m sorry,” Crowell said in a video posted to Facebook on Wednesday. “And moving forward I'm committed to being part of the solution.”

Crowell removed the offensive image soon after posting it last week and issued an apology in a statement Monday.

The Browns responded with a statement of their own, saying an apology isn’t enough.

"We have spoken to Isaiah regarding his extremely disturbing and unacceptable social media decision," the team stated.

"It was completely inappropriate and we have made him aware of our high level of disappointment. Isaiah has apologized but also knows that just an apology is insufficient and that he must take steps to make a positive difference after a very negative and impactful post."

Stephen Loomis, President of Cleveland Police Patrolmen's Assn., agreed that the original apology wasn’t good enough and told TMZ he would “pull Cleveland officers, sheriffs, state troopers out of First Energy Stadium this season if he doesn't make it right."

"He needs to go to Dallas, help the families who lost their loved ones last week, write them a check, look them in the eyes and give a heartfelt apology," Loomis said.

On Wednesday Loomis told TMZ he was satisfied with Crowell’s latest attempt at making amends.

"I appreciate the apology and we accept it. People are allowed to make mistakes in life. Our problem was that first apology. It wasn’t sincere. But Isaiah stepped up to the plate to make a personal apology, and we definitely appreciate his donation to the Fallen Officers Foundation."

In posting the image, Crowell was responding to the deaths of two African American men, in Louisiana and Minnesota, at the hands of police last week. His post came before the shooting deaths of five police officers by a sniper during a peaceful protest in Dallas on Thursday.

"Last week was an emotional and difficult week as we saw extreme acts of violence against black men across our country as well as against police officers in Dallas," Crowell said in Monday’s statement. "I posted an image to Instagram in the midst of that emotion that I shouldn't have and immediately removed it."

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https://twitter.com/IsaiahCrowell34/status/752618868359692288

He added: "I was very wrong in posting that image. Every single life matters, every death as a result of violence should be treated with equal outrage and penalty."

NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said: "The image was inappropriate and insensitive. He realized this, took down the post and has since apologized."

Crowell has rushed for 1,313 yards and 12 touchdowns in two seasons with the Browns.

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UPDATES:

July 13, 7:05 a.m.: This post has been updated with Crowell issuing a second apology and pledging a game check to the Dallas Fallen Officer Foundation. It also has been updated with quotes from Stephen Loomis.

July 13, 10:58 a.m.: This post has been update with Loomis’ most recent comment.

This post was originally published July 12 at 11:41 a.m.

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