Former University of Georgia running back Isaiah Crowell said Wednesday he will donate about $35,000 to a fallen officers fund in Dallas as part of his apology for posting a drawing on Instagram last week showing a police officer getting his throat slashed.
Crowell, a Columbus native who now plays for the NFL’s Cleveland Browns, apologized again for the post and said he would donate his first game check to a fund for the police officers slain and injured during a sniper attack last week. He didn't say what the exact amount would be, but his yearly salary is $600,000 covering 17 weeks of the NFL season, including a bye.
Crowell, 23, posted the drawing after men in Louisiana and Minnesota were shot and killed by police. He subsequently deleted the post, but a screenshot continued to be circulated on social media, prompting his apology Monday.
Five police officers were killed in a sniper attack in Dallas last Thursday night at a protest over the two deaths.
"I know this might not change your mind about me, and I know I can't take the post back, but I'm sorry and moving forward I'm committed to being part of the solution," Crowell said in the video.
In a statement Monday, Crowell said, "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."
“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.”
Cowell ran 185 times for 850 yards with five touchdowns in his first season at Georgia in 2011 and was named SEC Freshman of the Year. But he was dismissed from the team in the offseason after being arrested on weapons charges. He enrolled at Alabama State and played there for two seasons. The charges were later dropped.
Crowell had 607 and 706 yards rushing in his first two seasons as a pro with the Browns.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.
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