St. Louis Rams tight end Jared Cook and four of his teammates made headlines last week when they made the "Hands Up, Dont' Shoot" gesture during pre-game warmups. Some, including the St. Louis Police Officers Association, criticized the players for the gesture. On Wednesday, Cook said he wouldn't change any of his actions in hindsight and would "absolutely" repeat the gesture.
Rams’ Jared Cook would ‘absolutely’ repeat ‘Hands Up, Don’t Shoot’ gesture
The Rams tight end was one of five players who participated in the display before the game.
Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
“I think our our message got mixed up a little bit,” Cook said during a press conference. “It’s bigger than what’s being portrayed.”
Cook went on to say the show of support was for the peaceful protestors and others who are trying to make a positive impact in their communities, both in Ferguson and around the world. Cook said he had a hard time seeing how police and others could perceive the gesture as a slight against them because he and the other teammates clarified the purpose of the message in post-game comments. He said he would “absolutely not” change what he did based on the reactions of others.
“It was something that we wanted to do for the people in Ferguson and around the world that are protesting peacefully and that are doing things in the community right to help bring Ferguson back and the communities around the world,” Cook said.
Cook also said that Rams players have not been asked to not make the gesture again, but wasn’t sure whether players would repeat the gesture.
“I think we kind of got our point across. Especially now, I think the world understands a little more why we did it,” he said.
You can watch the entire press conference on the team’s website.
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