Firefighters in Jacksonville, FL are being criticized for T-shirts they wore to a charity boxing match with local police officers.
The Gun N’ Hoses match took place at Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena on Saturday and some firefights wore shirts that said “Firetruck Tha Police” with certain letters capitalized to spell a vulgar word.
“I would definitely say poor taste,” Sunny Montes said after seeing a photo of the shirts. “I think it’s insensitive to the police in general.”
According to Action News, many are saying the shirts were vulgar because the widows of two New York City police officers who were killed in the line of duty last year were the guests of honor.
“With our special guest and our current times that face first responders, this was a lack in judgment and for that I apologize for this …,” wrote Firefighter Jason Kerr on Facebook.
However, not everyone agrees that the shirt was offensive.
“It’s probably all in jest. I wouldn’t take it too seriously myself,” said Keith McCannon.
He believes the language is part of a friendly competition between firefighters and police officers.
“I’d think it was hilarious. I’d come back with something even funnier next year,” McCannon continued.
The Fraternal Order of Police has yet to comment on the matter.
Really, I find it funny, I’m not offended at all. I agree with this part of the article. “It’s probably all in jest. I wouldn’t take it too seriously myself,” said Keith McCannon. He believes the language is part of a friendly competition between firefighters and police officers. “I’d think it was hilarious. I’d come back with something even funnier next year,” McCannon continued.
I’d be tempted to buy one even though It would kind of be supporting the competition.