Browns running back Isaiah Crowell apologized Monday for posting a picture on his Instagram account that appeared to show a man slashing the throat of a police officer.
The posting was deleted, but not before it was screenshotted by someone. The picture started making the Twitter rounds on Monday, and Cleveland.com was first to report that the Browns knew of the post and that Crowell planned to issue a public apology.
The report said Crowell posted the drawing before five police officers were killed in Dallas last week but after men were in Louisiana and Minnesota were shot and killed by police. The caption on Crowell’s post read: “They give police all types of weapons and they continually choose to kill us....#Weak”
In a statement released by the Browns Monday afternoon, Crowell said: “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. I posted an image to Instagram in the midst of that emotion that I shouldn’t have and immediately removed it. It was an extremely poor decision and I apologize for that mistake and for offending people. My values and beliefs do not match that image.
“I am outraged and upset by the deaths of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile along with so many others. I am also outraged and saddened by the attacks in Dallas and the deaths of the 5 honorable police officers (Lorne Ahrens, Michael Krol, Michael J. Smith, Brent Thompson and Patrick Zamarripa) who were providing protection while trying to keep peace. We have to be better as a society. It’s not about color, it’s about what’s right and wrong.
“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.”
Crowell also posted his apology on his personal Twitter account.
The Cleveland.com report said the NFL did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment on the matter.
Crowell, 23, is entering his third NFL season. He made the Browns as an undrafted rookie out of Alabama State by way of Georgia in 2014, and last season he led the team with 706 rushing yards. He ran for eight touchdowns as a rookie in 2014.