Browns players wear shirts protesting police killings of Tamir Rice, John Crawford

Nancy Armour

USA TODAY Sports

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Andrew Hawkins wears a shirt calling attention to the police shootings of Tamir Rice and John Crawford before an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday.

CLEVELAND -- LeBron James isn't the only Cleveland athlete willing to take a stand.

Andrew Hawkins and at least one other Cleveland Browns player came out for pre-game introductions wearing T-shirts that read, "Justice for Tamir Rice and John Crawford."

Rice, a 12-year-old, was holding a toy gun when he was shot and killed by a Cleveland police officer last month. Crawford was shot and killed by police in August while holding an air gun in a Wal-Mart.

Both Rice and Crawford were black.

James has been increasingly outspoken on social issues. Earlier this week, he wore an "I Can't Breathe" T-shirt in honor of Eric Garner, who died after being put in a chokehold by a New York police officer.

NFL DRAFT HUB: Latest NFL Draft mock drafts, news, live picks, grades and analysis.

Featured Weekly Ad