Angry Cleveland Browns fans took to Facebook on Tuesday after a group of players kneeled during the national anthem and one fan, in particular, shared her stance on the situation.
Tiffany Kristen, fiancée of Akron police officer Justin Winebrenner who was killed while off-duty in 2015, took to Facebook on Wednesday to voice her frustrations.
In a Facebook post getting more than 1,000 shares, she recalled how five years ago she purchased Browns season tickets with her fiancé, which quickly became an annual tradition.
"We clapped, cheered and even cussed on Sundays up in Cleveland. I have some of my most incredible memories on game days by the lake with my fiancé," Tiffany said.
After seeing some of the Browns players kneel during the national anthem, Tiffany expressed how she is having second thoughts about attending any more Browns games in the future.
She wrote:
After purchasing my tickets this year, watching the kneeling members of the team bring me anything but that. To the players & fans who don't agree with standing for our country and anthem, I am creating this to show you just who you are offending. Had I not already purchased our seats for this season I wouldn't have & if this behavior continues and is allowed I will not next year.
Nearly 12 hours after contacting the Vice President of Communications from the Browns, she received a response addressing her concerns.
Thank you for sharing your opinion with us regarding a group of players kneeling in prayer during last night’s National Anthem.
As an organization, we have a profound respect for our country’s National Anthem, flag and the servicemen and servicewomen in the United States and abroad. We feel it is important for our team to join in this great tradition and special moment of recognition, and at the same time, we also respect the great liberties afforded by our country, including the freedom of personal expression.
We fully understand and appreciate that this is an issue people feel passionately about for many different reasons.
As this topic has been discussed throughout the NFL and country, players were informed that their individual rights will always be respected by our organization, but they were urged to take meaningful consideration prior to any action, be respectful of all viewpoints and clearly articulate their personal feelings about why it was individually important to them during their postgame comments.
Whether or not an individual or group agrees with how any peaceful statement is made, we respect everyone’s opportunity to do so as a citizen of the United States when they feel moved to speak on a topic that impacts their lives and other members of our country.
Our entire organization greatly values our fans’ opinions on all topics, especially ones that are clearly of high importance to them. We do not take your sentiments lightly and appreciate you expressing and sharing them with our team.
Tiffany responded to the post by thanking everyone for the support and kind words.
"I'm feeling very emotional & blessed reading & realizing I am not alone in my thoughts & beliefs," she said.
