WWE Superstar Titus O’Neil addressed the press following a meeting with law enforcement officials in his hometown of Tampa, FL, last week.
“I understand the frustrations as a black man standing before you at this podium, living in America at 43 years old having to explain to my sons again while we’re dealing with this type of behavior in 2020. [It’s] a travesty in itself. I understand that people are out there hurting and upset and mad. I’m mad as hell.”
But he implored his fellow citizens to treat police officers and other first responders with respect.
“Folks that have an issue with law enforcement, it’s not just how you talk to them and how you treat them. Because guess what? If something happens at your house and something goes wrong in your neighborhood who are you gonna call law? Law enforcement [and] first responders…”
O’Neil pleaded for unity and asked that Tampa citizens come together and present an example for the rest of the country.
“[Everyone is] looking for a story. Let’s make the best story we possibly can for this area by telling everybody how Tampa did it the right way how Tampa came together the right way.”