NFL says it won't discipline Rams players for Ferguson protest

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 St. Louis Police Officers Association released a statement Sunday evening condemning the St. Louis Rams football players who entered the field displaying the "hands up don't shoot" pose.

A spokesman for the St. Louis Rams says the team was unaware of the demonstration before the game.

Wide receivers Stedman Bailey, Tavon Austin, Chris Givens and Kenny Britt and tight end Jared Cook all took the field displaying the gesture, which mimics the "Hands Up, Don't Shoot" stance that has become a frequent image among protesters since the shooting death of 18-year-old Michael Brown by police officer Darren Wilson in nearby Ferguson, Mo. in August. Last week, a grand jury decided not to press charges against Wilson.

Here's a portion of the statement:

The St. Louis Police Officers Association is profoundly disappointed with the members of the St. Louis Rams football team who chose to ignore the mountains of evidence released from the St. Louis County Grand Jury this week and engage in a display that police officers around the nation found tasteless, offensive and inflammatory.

"Now that the evidence is in and Officer Wilson's account has been verified by physical and ballistic evidence as well as eye-witness testimony, which led the grand jury to conclude that no probable cause existed that Wilson engaged in any wrongdoing, it is unthinkable that hometown athletes would so publicly perpetuate a narrative that has been disproven over-and-over again," said SLPOA Business Manager Jeff Roorda said in the statement.

"I'd remind the NFL and their players that it is not the violent thugs burning down buildings that buy their advertiser's products. It's cops and the good people of St. Louis and other NFL towns that do. Somebody needs to throw a flag on this play. If it's not the NFL and the Rams, then it'll be cops and their supporters."

Contributing: Lindsay Jones and Chris Strauss

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