CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Cleveland police union president said on Sunday that Browns wide receiver Andrew Hawkins' "Justice for Tamir Rice" shirt is "pathetic."

Jeff Follmer said on Sunday that Hawkins' shirt was disrespectful and demanded an apology from the Browns.

Hawkins wore a shirt that said "Justice for Tamir Rice and John Crawford" on the front and "The Real Battle for Ohio" on the back during pre-game warm-ups before the Browns home game against the Cincinnati Bengals at FirstEnergy Stadium.

"He's an athlete. He's someone with no facts of the case whatsoever," Follmer said. "He's disrespecting the police on a job that we had to do and make a split-second decision."

The Browns in a statement said they respect Cleveland police and their players right to support certain causes.

"We have great respect for the Cleveland Police Department and the work that they do to protect and serve our city," the statement says. "We also respect our players' rights to project their support and bring awareness to issues that are important to them if done so in a responsible manner."

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 Tamir carrying what turned out to be a fake gun.

Crawford, 22, was fatally shot by police on Aug. 5 while holding a toy rifle inside a Walmart in Beavercreek, outside Dayton.

Follmer said many Cleveland police officers work security for the Browns games and are employed by Browns.

"He should stick to playing football and let us worry about law enforcement," Follmer said. "The players don't know what our job entails. Don't judge us by what you're reading in the media."