"My wearing of the T-shirt was a stance against wrong individuals doing the wrong thing for the wrong reason to innocent people," said Browns receiver Andrew Hawkins about wearing this T-shirt before Sunday's game against Cincinnati.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Cleveland Browns wide receiver Andrew Hawkins defended his wearing a "Justice for Tamir Rice" shirt during warm-ups before Sunday's game against the Bengals.

"My wearing of the T-shirt wasn't a stance against every police officer or every police department," Hawkins said. "My wearing of the T-shirt was a stance against wrong individuals doing the wrong thing for the wrong reason to innocent people."

Hawkins made the statement the day after Cleveland police union president Jeff Follmer called Hawkins' shirt "pathetic" and said Hawkins should stick to playing football.

Follmer said on Monday that he took issue with Hawkins' statements, especially ones that characterized some officers as "not-so-good."

"What he doesn't talk about is that our officers were in a situation because of another male's actions, who tragically turned out to be 12," Follmer said. "He doesn't talk about the fact that (Rice) didn't respond to our officer's commands and tried to pull the gun from his waistband."

The Browns responded by saying they respected both the police and their players' rights to take on causes they feel are important.

Rice, 12, was fatally shot on Nov. 22 by rookie Cleveland police officer Timothy Loehmann less than two seconds after he arrived to investigate a complaint about the boy carrying what turned out to be an airsoft pellet gun.

Hawkins shirt read "Justice for Tamir Rice and John Crawford" on the front and "The Real Battle for Ohio" on the back. Crawford, 22, was fatally shot by police on Aug. 5 while holding a toy rifle inside a Walmart in Beavercreek, outside Dayton.

Hawkins took no questions from the media after speaking for more than six minutes. He said he knew wearing the shirt could have consequences, including tarnishing his reputation. He said that realization scared him, but he needed to support Rice and his family.

"If I was to run away from what I felt in my soul was the right thing to do, that would make me a coward and I couldn't live with that," Hawkins said.

Hawkins said he thought about his 2-year-old son someday suffering the same fate as Rice.

"That little boy is my world," Hawkins said, choking up. "My number one reason for wearing the T-shirt was the thought of what happened to Tamir Rice happening to my little Austin. And that scares the living hell out of me."

Hawkins said he grew up respecting police, but was also taught to be wary of some officers.

"My mom also taught me just as there are good police officers, there are some not-so-good police officers who assume the worst of me without knowing anything about me for reasons I can't control," Hawkins said.

Hawkins said he believes there should be consequences for police officers who make mistakes and hurt people based on "preconceived notions or the wrong motives."

Hawkins said he believes calls for justice means fair treatment for everyone involved. He said he has friends and family who are good police officers and called them "brave."

"A call for justice shouldn't warrant an apology," Hawkins said.