Cleveland Browns' Isaiah Crowell apologizes for police throat slash post

CLEVELAND, July 12 (UPI) -- In another episode of "tweeted-then-deleted," Cleveland Browns running back Isaiah Crowell used his Instagram to speak out about "shooting deaths" committed by police officers.

The image was posted last week, but is still easily accessible on Twitter. It featured an officer getting his throat cut by an assailant, who was draped in an American flag.

"They give police all types of weapons and they continually choose to kill us....#Weak," Crowell wrote in the caption.

Crowell apologized Monday, but the Browns said he needs to do more. Cleveland.com reported that Crowell's post was made Wednesday afternoon, before the Dallas shooting.

"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, Crowell wrote on Twitter. "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 five 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.''

Crowell had 185 carries for 706 yards and scored five total touchdowns in his sophomore season in Cleveland. He also recently made Instagram posts that read "AltonSterling" and "The violence is not new, it's the cameras that are new."

"We have spoken to Isaiah regarding his extremely disturbing and unacceptable social media decision,'' the Browns said in the statement, via Pro Football Talk. "It was completely inappropriate and we have made him aware of our high level of disappointment. Isaiah has apologized but also knows that just an apology is insufficient and that he must take steps to make a positive difference after a very negative and impactful post.''

Crowell, 23, signed a three-year, $1.5 million contract in 2014. He is a restricted free agent after this season.

"Despicable. Repugnant. Hateful. Stupid. Divisive. Unthinkable," Cleveland.com columnist Bill Livingston wrote Monday.

"There are surely more words to condemn what Cleveland Browns' running back Isaiah Crowell did, but that's enough for starters," Livingston wrote.