Don't Shoot, Surrender

As if the NFL didn't have enough attention and bad weight on their shoulders after multiple accusations of players being domestically violent, there's more things that keeps attracting more and more attention to them.

As almost everyone knows,(because lets face it how could you miss it), Ferguson, Missouri is not one of the places to be right now because of the recent shooting of Michael Brown, an unarmed black teenager, who was killed by Darren Wilson, a white police officer, back on August 9th. There has been nothing but chaos down there since the shooting but while awaiting the grand jury's decision on whether to arrest Darren Wilson for murder things had been mostly quiet. But things would take a turn for the worse as the grand jury announced that they were not going to charge Officer Darren Wilson with the murder of Michael Brown.

On Sunday, five St. Louis Rams players including Jared Cook, Kenny Britt, Stedman Bailey, Chris Givens, and Tavon Austin entered the field from the tunnel after being announce with their hands raised in the "don't shoot, surrendering" pose to show their sympathy and salute for the protesters in Ferguson.

The St.Louis Rams players showing sympathy and support for the protesters in Ferguson after the shooting of Michael Brown.

This incident has sparked controversy between many, but mainly the St. Louis Police Department and the St.Louis Rams Football Team. The police expresses their frustration because they feel that they are "ignoring the mountains of evidence released from the St. Louis County Grand Jury" There were many articles and opinions as to whether these were  acceptable behaviors by these 5 players and whether or not they should be punished for these actions. According to an article written by ESPN, rams coach stated, "As far as the choice that the payers made, no they, were exercising their right to free speech, They will not be disciplined by the club nor will they be disciplined by the National Football League as it was released today."

Looking at this situation, I feel that the St. Louis Rams and the National Football League did the correct thing in not punishing them for their actions because it IS their right to freedom of speech and to express their sympathy and support for this incident. Obviously everyone isn't going to agree with their decision and the way that they decided on handling this situation but I feel it is the only way to be fair and treat both parties equal. Everyone is going to have their own views and feelings, but we need to remember the idea of treating everyone equal under the law.