Bossier Parish Sheriff Julian Whittington is taking a stand on the NFL’s national anthem protests, and he has announced that his department will no longer purchase Ford vehicles.

In an open letter to his local Ford dealer, Sheriff Whittington explained not only why the sheriff’s office would not be purchasing Ford vehicles, but he urged other Louisiana sheriffs to do the same.

Sheriff Whittington hopes that the letter will encourage the dealer to tell Ford to stop financially supporting the NFL.

“…the recent events surrounding the NFL, its players and their audacity to thumb their collective noses at the American Flag, the American military as well as their obvious disdain for the profession of law enforcement in general; forces me to take a stand,” the sheriff wrote.

“The Bossier Sheriff’s Office will no longer purchase Ford products as long as Ford sides with these who have no regard for the men and women who protect and serve this great nation. “

Hyundai had been the only active automotive sponsor of the NFL until last year when Ford paid for a three-year deal to make Ford trucks the official trucks of the NFL.

The exact amount that Ford is paying the NFL hasn’t been released, but auto deals with the NFL are typically worth over $100 million.

While Ford pays their millions to the NFL, the players continue to kneel in protest during the national anthem.

The protests were started by Colin Kaepernick, who said that he would not stand up for “a flag for a county that oppresses black people,” and that there were “bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder.”

In response to the kneeling, Ford announced that they don’t necessarily agree with the players, but they respect their protest.

Hyundai remains the only other automotive sponsor of the NFL.

You can read the sheriff’s full letter below:

Hixson Ford of Alexandria Mr. Dallas Hixson 2506 MacArthur Drive Alexandria, LA 71301

Dear Mr. Hixson,

The Bossier Sheriff’s Office has, for many years now, enjoyed a pleasurable business relationship with your company.

Ford vehicles have been greatly utilized within the law enforcement community both for us and throughout the entire United States.

Ford has been a part of American history, and has stood for American values.

However, the recent events surrounding the NFL, its players and their audacity to thumb their collective noses at the American Flag, the American military as well as their obvious disdain for the profession of law enforcement in general; forces me to take a stand.

The Bossier Sheriff’s Office will no longer purchase Ford products as long as Ford sides with these who have no regard for the men and women who protect and serve this great nation.

Yes, the NFL players have a right to protests they deem necessary, but we, the Bossier Sheriff’s Office and the taxpayers of Bossier Parish have a right to spend our money elsewhere.

I realize that Ford Motor Co. has made this decision and may not necessarily be supported by your company, but, you are our dealer.

It is my hope that this letter will cause you to encourage Ford Motor Co. to change their advertising choice and cease to support the NFL with advertising dollars until the NFL leadership demands its players show proper respect for our nation’s colors.

I will be sending a copy of this letter to each of the 63 other Sheriffs in the State of Louisiana, the Louisiana Sheriff’s Association President, the National Sheriff’s Association President, and the International Association of Chiefs of Police, encouraging them to take a similar stand where Ford products are concerned.

We can no longer stand idly by and allow the fabric of this country to be dismantled. The men and women of law enforcement make it possible for the Ford Motor Co. to do business in a safe and secure environment.

It’s time they took a stand for each of them.

Sincerely,

Julian C. Whittington

Sheriff