The St. Louis County police chief announced that he received an apologetic call Monday from a Rams executive for the actions of five players who showed support for protesters in Ferguson, Missouri, during pregame introductions on Sunday. However, the executive and the team claim no such apology was made.

Police Chief Jon Belmar sent out an email to his staff Monday night after he said to have received an apology from the Rams vice president of football operations, Kevin Demoff, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Demoff said he never apologized on behalf of the players to Belmar.

Immediately prior to Sunday's game against the Oakland Raiders, tight end Jared Cook and receivers Kenny Britt, Tavon Austin, Stedman Bailey and Chris Givens all raised their hands in a surrender motion as they were introduced to the field. This physical position has become a symbol of the Ferguson protests along with the slogan "Hands Up, Don't Shoot" as a dig at the fact that slain black teen Michael Brown was unarmed when white officer Darren Wilson took lethal force against him.

The St. Louis Police Officers Association was "profoundly disappointed" by the players' behavior and called for the Rams to be punished by the NFL and asked for a "very public apology."

The NFL said Monday that they would not discipline the players involved in the act of solidarity.

Despite all of this, Belmar wrote to his officers that Demoff apologized for the five Rams players.

"I received a very nice call this morning from Mr. Kevin Demoff of the St. Louis Rams who wanted to take the opportunity to apologize to our department on behalf of the Rams for the 'Hands Up' gesture that some players took the field with yesterday," Belmar wrote in the email. "Demoff clearly regretted that any members of the Rams organization would act in a way that minimized the outstanding work that police officers and departments carry out each and every day. My impression of the call was that it was heartfelt and I assured him that I would share it with my staff."

Demoff defended himself to Nick Wagoner of ESPN, saying he never said he regretted the players' showing support for protesters.

"In those conversations, I expressed regret that players actions were construed negatively against law enforcement," Demoff said. "At no time in any of the conversations did I apologize for the actions of our players. [The Rams] do believe it is possible to support both our players' first amendment rights and the efforts of local law enforcement to make this a better community."

The players' gesture in question can be seen here.