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Browns' Isaiah Crowell attends fallen Dallas police officer's funeral

Posted at 2:45 PM, Jul 19, 2016
and last updated 2016-07-19 14:45:03-04

The Cleveland Browns player who was thrown into the spotlight when he posted an image on Instagram of a police officer getting his throat slit attended a Dallas police officer's funeral this week.

Sergeant Demetrick Pennie said on Facebook Monday that he invited Isaiah Crowell to Dallas to attend the funeral of fallen police officer Patrick Zamarripa.

"When offered the opportunity, Isaiah Crowell didn't think twice before accepting," Sgt. Pennie wrote.

Crowell apologized shortly after removing the graphic image from his Instagram account. He said he posted the image "in the midst of that emotion that I shouldn't have and immediately removed it."

The running back also promised to donate his first game paycheck to a fund that assists the families of officers critically injured or killed in the line of duty.

RELATED | Cleveland police chief says Browns' Isaiah Crowell apologized for graphic Instagram post

"Based on my 17 years of experience in law enforcement, I found the meeting with Mr. Crowell to be authentic and reflective of the truest meaning of "Community Policing". The visit was very professional and non-threatening, which I think is a testament to the professionalism of the Dallas Police Department and is emblematic of our officers' compassion for the community at-large," wrote Sgt. Pennie on Monday.

He continued: "Crowell’s story is a path of redemption that parallels the experiences of Daniel entering the Lion’s Den. Crowell entered the most unlikely venue surrounded by thousands of police officers, which could have possibly been the most hostile environment he could have ever imagined himself walking into. But by the grace of God, he was accepted with open arms."