Tom Coughlin commemorates slain NYPD officers with black stripe, peace pin
Giants head coach Tom Coughlin wears a peace pin and black stripe on his sweatshirt to commemorate two slain NYPD officers during a game against the St. Louis Rams on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2014. Credit: Twitter
Giants coach Tom Coughlin honored the two New York Police Department officers who were shot and killed Saturday, wearing a black stripe on his sweatshirt and a peace sign pinned just below the NY logo over his heart in Sunday's game against the Rams.
"We wore this because the New York Giants wanted to honor and mourn the assassination of the two New York City policemen that took place [Saturday] night in our city,'' a clearly emotional Coughlin said while tapping his left shoulder after his team's 37-27 victory. "We also wanted to wear this pin representing peace. Let's hope that the voice of reason can prevail.''
The Giants left the New York area at about 2 p.m. Saturday for the game in St. Louis, shortly before the shooting of police officers Wenjian Liu and Rafael Ramos. In the past, Coughlin has worn FDNY or NYPA hats to commemorate those who have been killed in the line of duty, particularly in regard to Sept. 11.
The Giants attempted to find some NYPD gear, but it was hard to come by in St. Louis. So they made their own makeshift salute with black tape on Coughlin's shoulder and a charm from someone's jewelry pinned to his chest.
St. Louis, of course, has had its own episodes of violence in recent weeks and months. The nearby town of Ferguson erupted in riots after the police shooting of Michael Brown and the decision of a grand jury not to press charges against the officer.
Many athletes have spoken out against police violence, including five Rams players who were introduced while holding their hands in the air at a home game last month.
"Violence never solved anything,'' Coughlin said. "I realize there are issues, but solve them with non-violent means.''
Tom Rock began covering sports for Newsday in 1996 and became its NFL columnist in 2022. He previously was Newsday's Giants beat writer beginning in 2008.
