Cleveland Browns wide receiver Andrew Hawkins says he joined the growing ranks of athletes protesting police shootings because of a fear something could one day happen to his son. Hawkins wore a black shirt during pre-game warmups and introductions Sunday that read: "Justice for Tamir Rice and John Crawford" on the front and "The Real Battle for Ohio" on the back. Hawkins says he chose to wear the shirt because he thought it was the right thing to do.
The Cleveland police union has called for an apology. Hawkins says he will not apologize and the Browns have issued a statement supporting him. The 12-year-old Rice was carrying a fake gun and died November 22 after he was shot by a rookie officer. The 22-year-old Crawford was shot and killed by a Beavercreek police officer on August 5 while holding an air-pellet rifle inside a store.