Excerpts from the ChicagoSunTimes.com:
The president of the Chicago Firefighters Union is apologizing for a protest during the national anthem that marred a charity football game dedicated to the memory of two fallen Chicago heroes.
Local 2 President Jim Tracy said he was appalled and embarrassed about what he called the “classless behavior of one of our members” during the “First Responders Bowl” last weekend.
Tracy was referring to African-American Firefighter Camron McGarity, who kneeled while the Star Spangled Banner was played before the football game.
“This game was about honoring our Line of Duty Death brothers Paul Bauer, CPD and Juan Bucio, CFD and their families for their bravery and commitment to the City of Chicago,” Tracy wrote in an email to the rank-and-file.
“This was not the place to make a self-serving, attention-drawing, pot-stirring statement. This person has not made this statement at any other games this year. He chose this game for this classless act for his own personal gain.”
The annual game is a great fundraiser against rivals, which benefits the Gold Badge and Gold Star widows and orphans.
Sources said teammates found McGarity’s protest so disrespectful to the heroes for whom the charity game was dedicated, there’s been internal talk about kicking him off the team next season. But that’s apparently as far as the punishment will go.
Chicago Fire Commissioner Jose Santiago, a retired Marine, has no plan to discipline or even reprimand McGarity.
thanks Dan
