The National Football League is once again selling merchandise that infuriated the Fraternal Order of Police a mere two years ago.
On Tuesday, the NFL released its “2023 Inspire Change Hats” that feature team logos next to slogans like “Police Community Relations,” “Criminal Justice Reform,” “Social Justice” and “Economic Opportunities.”
Just dropped: The 2023 Inspire Change Hats ✨
— Steelers Pro Shop (@SteelersShop) November 28, 2023
As Outkick noted, the NFL has donated to social justice efforts including the Vera Institute of Justice, the Oregon Justice Resource Center, and the Community Justice Exchange. Fox News has accused the groups of supporting the “defund the police” movement.
The National Fraternal of Police blasted the merchandise in the past.
“I find it incredibly ironic that NFL teams travel and play every week under the protection of local law enforcement,” Fraternal Order of Police Patrick Yoes wrote on Twitter in December of 2021.
“We have officers in stadiums, parking lots, and even on the sidelines to ensure the safety of the players, team personnel, and, of course, the fans,” Yoes said.
“The NFL pays for this security because they want their venues and attendees to be safe. Now, we learn they are sending thousands of dollars to groups whose mission is to end policing and our justice system,” he added. “How irresponsible is this? If it weren’t such a serious issue, we would just laugh at them and go about our business. But make no mistake, this is a very serious issue.”
[Outkick]
