In Kaepernick-esque fashion, the Cleveland Browns started off the 2017 NFL season in disgrace as a dozen players kneeled during the National Anthem at the team’s preseason home game against the New York Giants on August 21.

The decision made by a select group of players to protest perceived racial injustice has not only drawn the ire of Browns head coach, Hue Jackson, who expressed his disappointment with his players’ decision to use the game as a platform to convey their message, but also from Cleveland’s public safety officials.

According to Fox 8 Cleveland, the Cleveland Police Patrolmen’s Association and the city’s EMTs, dispatchers and paramedics were approached by the Browns organization weeks ago to hold the American flag on the field before their opening regular season game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on September 10.

EMS union president Daniel Nemeth said it sounded great until a group of Browns players took a knee during the anthem. “This hit home with me. I am a veteran, an 8-year veteran with the U.S. Marine Corps. So, to disrespect the flag by taking a knee is not something I was going to be a part of,” Nemeth said.

Cleveland Police Union President Steve Loomis also commented on the matter:

“I’m here at a national police convention, and soon as they hear that I’m from Cleveland, the first question is ‘What about those stinking Browns?'” Loomis said. “So if the ownership of the Browns and the league are going to allow that type of stuff to happen, and then come to us and say, ‘We want you to help us with the flag,’ that’s hypocritical. We’re not gonna participate.”

The stadium sits just steps away from city hall. The FOX 8 I-Team learned the stand being made by the safety forces was discussed by the city’s top brass. A city spokesman said the police have been told the Browns will replace the officers, paramedics and firefighters with members of the military.

In response to the criticism levied by the police and EMS union, a Browns player provided this response:

Linebacker Christian Kirksey recently explained the demonstration by saying, “We respect our veterans, respect our military. We’re not protesting against them. We just have our reasons of why we’re doing what we’re doing.”

But Nemeth said, even if players kneel to pray during the anthem, why then?

“Never really saw it a problem to pray before the game, after the game, during halftime. You told me, and you showed me what your true feelings are.”

As if the Browns haven’t already faded into obscurity as a result of years of abysmal performance, any repeat occurrences going forward could have disastrous consequences for the team. For the Browns players, pick another forum to express grievances against a country that made you rich and prosperous. Enough is enough.

[Note: This article was written by Zachary Smith]