Kate Upton Blasts NFL Players for Kneeling During National Anthem on 9/11

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“Sitting or kneeling down during the national anthem is a disgrace to those people who have served and currently serve our country” the model writes on Instagram

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Kate Upton is the latest star who feels obliged to chime in on NFL players’ current protest against racial injustice by not standing during the national anthem.

Upton was incensed on Sunday by the sight of four Miami Dolphins players exercising their constitutional right to protest and took to Instagram to voice her horror and indignation.

“Sitting or kneeling down during the national anthem is a disgrace to those people who have served and currently serve our country,” she wrote as a caption to a photo of the aforementioned Dolphins kneeling. “Sitting down during the national anthem on September 11th is even more horrific.”

Others on various social media networks pointed out that perhaps that was just the moment to stick to one’s deeply held beliefs, in celebration of what America stands for.

Upton fired back with a tweet of her own.

Sept. 11 was the first Sunday of the regular NFL season. With each game since San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick announced his intention to protest during the national anthem, more and more players have joined him.

For the Dolphins, Kenny Stills, Michael Thomas, Arian Foster and Jelani Jenkins took a knee during the anthem on Sunday. Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Marcus Peters raised his fist, along with Martellus Bennett and Devin McCourty of the New England Patriots, and Jurrell Casey, Wesley Woodyard and Jason McCourty of the Tennessee Titans. The Seattle Seahawks joined arms as a team in a sign of unity.

Upton isn’t the first person tangentially related to the sport of football to opine on the players’ protest. Rob Lowe also felt the need to weigh in, tweeting a message to the NFL that players who wanted to protest the anthem on Sunday should be kept in the locker room.

Read Upton’s full Instagram post below.

In my opinion, the national anthem is a symbolic song about our country. It represents honoring the many brave men and women who sacrifice and have sacrificed their lives each and every single day to protect our freedom. Sitting or kneeling down during the national anthem is a disgrace to those people who have served and currently serve our country. Sitting down during the national anthem on September 11th is even more horrific. Protest all you want and use social media all you want. However, during the nearly two minutes when that song is playing, I believe everyone should put their hands on their heart and be proud of our country for we are all truly blessed. Recent history has shown that it is a place where anyone no matter what race or gender has the potential to become President of the United States. We live in the most special place in the world and should be thankful. After the song is over, I would encourage everyone to please use the podium they have, stand up for their beliefs, and make America a better place. The rebuilding of battery park and the freedom tower demonstrates that amazing things can be done in this country when we work together towards a common goal. It is a shame how quickly we have forgotten this as a society. Today we are more divided then ever before. I could never imagine multiple people sitting down during the national anthem on the September 11th anniversary. The lessons of 911 should teach us that if we come together, the world can be a better and more peaceful place #neverforget.

A photo posted by Kate Upton (@kateupton) on

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