DeSean Jackson wears police caution tape cleats to "start a dialogue about senseless killings"

Former Philadelphia Eagles player and current Washington Redskins wide receiver DeSean Jackson says his choice of cleats during Sunday's pregame warmups is his is attempt to start a dialogue about the senseless killings of both civilians and police officers.

In a statement released by the Redskins, Jackson says:

Today is the start of my attempts to be part of a solution and start dialogue about the senseless killings of both citizens and police. I have chosen to wear these cleats in pregame today to use my platform as a pro athlete to add to this discussion. This isn't meant to be any kind of protest against the good men and women in law enforcement in this country. I just want to express my concern in a peaceful and productive way about issues that are currently impacting our country.

The Redskins released their own statement, too:

We stand in support of DeSean and the law enforcement community. We have great respect for law enforcement and the sacrifices they make each and every day to protect and serve our communities. We continue to have open dialogue with our players about issues that are important to them and support their efforts to bring awareness to those issues when done in a responsible manner.

On Twitter, artist Marcus Rivero, a.k.a. Soles By Sir, tweeted "I made these" in response to a photo of the cleats.

On Facebook, Rivero writes, "I never imagined being able to tell stories through my art. And while this may be a sensitive subject for some, I did them because DeSean's view was one of trying to be proactive without clumping every one into ONE group because of certain corrupt ones.(I.e. Cops in general)."

Jackson joined the Redskins after being released by the Eagles in 2014.