Browns RB Isaiah Crowell Apologizes After Posting Gruesome Pic Of Cop Getting Throat Slashed

Cleveland Browns running back Isaiah Crowell apologized Monday for posting a disturbing photo on Instagram, although the team has said his apology is insufficient and should be followed up with ‘positive steps.’

Browns RB Isaiah Crowell Apologizes After Posting Gruesome Pic Of Cop Getting Throat Slashed

On Wednesday, Crowell posted a photo depicting a police officer having his throat slashed by an attacker, and then quickly deleted it, although it began spreading on Twitter.

The caption read, “They give police all types of weapons and they continually choose to kill us….#Weak” in reference to the recent shooting deaths of men in Louisiana and Minnesota by police.

The picture comes in the wake of two separate incidents of two black men being shot by police: Arlon Sterling in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and Philando Castile in Falcon Heights, Minnesota. The shootings occurred on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively.

The shootings have sparked a series of ‘Black Lives Matter’ protests all across the country, including one in Dallas on Thursday, which culminated in five policemen being killed by a sniper.

The Browns released a statement Monday saying Crowell, 23, must back up his apology with action.

“We have spoken to Isaiah regarding his extremely disturbing and unacceptable social media decision,” the Browns said in the statement, attributed to a team spokesman. “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.”

Many fans and some media, including ESPNCleveland’s Bruce Hooley, have called for harsh punishment for Crowell or even his immediate dismissal from the Browns.

“The image was inappropriate and insensitive,” NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said in an email response. “He realized this, took down the post and has since apologized.”

The running back, who posted the image the day before the Dallas ambush and not in response to it, acknowledged how inappropriate his action was.

“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 wrote. “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 five honorable police officers (Lorne Ahrens, Michael Krol, Michael J. Smith, Brent Thompson and Patrick Zamarripa) who were providing protection while trying to keep peace.”

He then continued:

“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 signed as an undrafted free agent with the Browns in 2014 after playing collegiately at Georgia and Alabama State. He was named SEC Freshman of the Year at Georgia in 2011. Over the course of his career, he has compiled 1,313 rushing yards in 333 attempts, 13 touchdowns, 28 receptions and 269 receiving yards.

CLEVELAND, OH – JANUARY 3: Isaiah Crowell #34 of the Cleveland Browns carries the ball during the first quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at FirstEnergy Stadium on January 3, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)