Isaiah Crowell Regrets Instagram Post, But Police Still Sore About It

Isaiah Crowell apologized Monday for posting an Instagram illustration of a police officer having his throat slit by a hooded figure.

The Cleveland Browns running back's post includes a caption which says: "They give police all types of weapons and they continually choose to kill us....#Weak" Crowell removed the image shortly after posting it.

In a statement, the athlete, who earns $10 million a year; said it was an "extremely poor decision" in response to police shooting and killing Alton Sterling and Philando Castile last week. Crowell evidently posted it just before five Dallas police officers were shot and killed last 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 the statement. "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."

Isaiah Crowell, 23, is an American football running back for the Cleveland Browns. He played college football at Georgia and Alabama State. Crowell, 23, led the Browns in rushing last season with 706 yards on 185 carries.

On May 10, 2014, Crowell signed as an undrafted free agent with the Cleveland Browns and was given a $10,000 signing bonus immediately. Crowell debuted in week one for the Browns as the third-string running back, and rushed for 32 yards and two touchdowns in a loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

He finished the season playing 16 games for 607 rushing yards on 148 attempts (4.1 yards per attempt) and 8 touchdowns plus 9 receptions for 87 yards, while starting 4 games. His best performance came in week 12 against the Atlanta Falcons where he rushed for 88 yards on 12 carries with two touchdowns.

Crowell's career has not been without controversy and arrests, however. At the University of Georgia, he was charged with two felonies involving carrying an unpermitted weapon and weed at the school. The University suspended the talented running back in 2012, reports the Atlanta Journal Constitution. He finished his college career at Alabama State.

Dustin DeRollo from the Los Angeles Police Protective League Writes:

We are absolutely disgusted by the Instagram post of Cleveland Browns running back, Isiah Crowell, depicting a hooded man slitting the throat of a police officer. To use imagery, clearly meant to replicate the propaganda put out by terrorist organizations such as ISIS to promote the murder of police officers is reprehensible.

There's no place in our society for the extremist and dangerous rhetoric used by Mr. Crowell. It is this type of hatred that fueled the coward who lay in wait to assassinate five law enforcement officers in Dallas last week while wounding seven more. Mr. Crowell's "apology" for his posting rings hollow to anyone who has had a loved one, a friend, or colleague die in the line of duty while protecting the public. Further, writing that you're sorry does not erase the hurt and pain you inflict on others.

We urge the National Football League to condemn Mr. Crowell's post and to and levy the appropriate sanctions against him. We think the imagery chosen used by Mr. Crowell goes beyond being "inappropriate" as currently characterized by the NFL. We believe the NFL should hold its players accountable to common decency standards.

Last Thursday, as a nation mourned the largest attack on American law enforcement since the September 11 attack, police officers all across this nation suited up and went on patrol. They did so despite watching the horror play out in Dallas. They did so despite the increase in threats and violent attacks against police officers. They did so because the men and women who serve as police officers choose to put themselves in harm's way to protect and help others.

We understand that this is an emotional time for many, but that does not excuse promoting violence. In Los Angeles, we value real dialogue and collaboration to ensure that a positive environment exists between police officers and community members. We hope others who seek to lead this dialogue will also condemn the acts of Mr. Crowell.

About the LAPPL: Formed in 1923, the Los Angeles Police Protective League (LAPPL) represents the more than 9,900 dedicated and professional sworn members of the Los Angeles Police Department. The LAPPL serves to advance the interests of LAPD officers through legislative and legal advocacy, political action and education. The LAPPL can be found on the Web at http://www.LAPD.com.