As Browns And Safety Forces Unite This Sunday, Cleveland Police Union President Steve Loomis Is Optimistic For The Future

When eleven players on the Cleveland Browns took a knee, many people were frustrated. Among those frustrated was Cleveland Police Union President Steve Loomis.

Loomis, who became Union president for a second time after being re-elected in 2014, talked about his frustrations with the situation that took place during Week Two of the NFL Pre-Season. He explained that he was more so upset with Browns management and not the Browns players for what went on before the Browns’ second exhibition game against the New York Giants at FirstEnergy Stadium.

“We really have no issue with whatever their issue is,” Loomis stated in reference to the kneeling. ” Our issue came with the Browns’ management knowing. It was a when and where.”

Loomis, who served in the United States Navy, told NEOSI that the situation was “eye-opening” to him at the time. “You’re not going to find a bigger group of Patriots,” Loomis went on to add when talking about the United States’ safety forces.

The CPD Union President went on to talk about the reports about the police union not participating in holding the flag during this Sunday’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Loomis mentions that the Browns reached out to him originally three months ago to honor the safety forces in a display on opening week for the team. Loomis gathered volunteers to partake in the festivities that the Browns would be holding opening day. “We were proud to be a part of that. We were doing it for the love of our country, love for the Browns.”

When the eleven players took a knee during the game against the Giants, Loomis states that he had three-quarters of his volunteers call and tell him ‘they’re out’ of the opening day ceremony.

“We decided collectively to send a letter to the Browns saying ‘Thanks, but no thanks.’ For Browns management to allow that on the clock is inappropriate and something we weren’t ready to tolerate.”

“We aren’t protesting the First Amendment, this is not a racial issue,” said Loomis on why the volunteers decided to decline to participate in the ceremony. “Grown men in that stadium were completely disrespectful.”

“Race is just not an issue in this.,” Loomis told NEOSI on Friday.”That has nothing to do with this and anyone with a lick of common sense can recognize that. Our issue is with the false narrative and ignorance of fact. That is the basis for their protest and the fact the Browns ownership allows the protest to occur while their employees are on the clock and during the National Anthem.”

The issue reached a national scale and Loomis saw that when he attended a National Police Convention in Nashville, Tennessee when numerous police officers from other states brought up the Browns kneeling during the National Anthem when speaking with Loomis. “I had no idea that thing blew up the way it did.” he said about how how large the story had grown.

What happened next was a meeting with the Browns and representatives of the Cleveland Police Department that took place on Thursday. The two sides discussed their thoughts on the situation at hand, listening to each other’s point of view. At the end of the meeting, the Browns extended their hand to the Cleveland Police Union.

“They asked us to come out of the tunnel with them.” Loomis said, as the police officers and other safety forces including firemen, EMT’s, and military will join the Browns in running out of the tunnel before their first regular season game.

In return, Loomis asked something of the team.

“Come out and help us hold the flag.”

The Browns will hold the American flag with the safety forces during the National Anthem, as they will also display a video honoring the safety forces on September 11th.

Loomis believes both sides are better following the meeting.

“We are cautiously optimistic that things are on the mend and issues have been resolved. Let’s just move forward.”

It will definitely be an encouraging display by the city of Cleveland before the Browns play host to the Pittsburgh Steelers this Sunday at FirstEnergy Stadium.