NFL will not fine St. Louis Rams players for 'don't shoot' poses

St. Louis Rams players who gave a "hands up, don't shoot" pose in reference to the Ferguson protests will not be fined, according to ESPN.

Rams' tight end Jared Cook and receivers Kenny Britt, Stedman Bailey, Chris Givens and Tavon Austin gave the pose during pregame introductions before Sunday's game against the Oakland Raiders in St. Louis. The St. Louis Police Officers Association then called for the players to be disciplined and for the Rams organization to issue a public apology.

"I'd remind the NFL and their players that it is not the violent thugs burning down buildings that buy their advertiser's products. It's cops and the good people of St. Louis and other NFL towns that do. Somebody needs to throw a flag on this play. If it's not the NFL and the Rams, then it'll be cops and their supporters," SLPOA business manager Jeff Roorda said in the statement.

NFL's VP of communications Brian McCarthy released the following statement in response: "We respect and understand the concerns of all individuals who have expressed views on this tragic situation."

Some of the St. Louis players commented on why they made the poses. "We haven't been able to go down to Ferguson to do anything because we have been busy. Secondly, it's kind of dangerous down there and none of us want to get caught up in anything," Rams tight end Jared Cook said. "So we wanted to come out and show our respect to the protests and the people who have been doing a heck of a job around the world."

"We wanted to show that we are organized for a great cause and something positive comes out of it," Rams' wide receiver Kenny Britt told ESPN. "That's what we hope we can make happen. That's our community. We wanted to let the community know that we support the community."

Protests erupted in the nearby St. Louis city of Ferguson following the shooting death of Michael Brown by former police officer Darren Wilson. A grand jury recently ruled not to indict Wilson for the shooting. This past Saturday, Wilson resigned from the Ferguson police force.