Kate Upton Criticizes Miami Dolphins for Kneeling During National Anthem

Yesterday, four Miami Dolphins players refused to stand during the National Anthem, instead opting to kneel. The controversial move comes after San Francisco quarterback Colin Kaepernick ditched the anthem to protest racial injustice, and Kate Upton is decidedly not on board.

The supermodel, who's engaged to Detroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander, was especially upset that the Dolphins' protest took place on September 11, and penned a lengthy comment on Instagram. "Sitting or kneeling down during the national anthem is a disgrace to those people who have served or currently serve our country," she wrote. "Sitting down during the national anthem on September 11 is even more horrific."

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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 post shared by Kate Upton (@kateupton) on Sep 11, 2016 at 4:12pm PDT

Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but of course it bears pointing out that the national anthem means different things to different people. For those protesting, it's a reminder of the racial and social injustice in this country, which Upton seems to get.

Have every right to protest&should stand up for beliefs.Justice system IS corrupt.Not the time during anthem on 9/11 https://t.co/JH1J9gTusV
— Kate Upton (@KateUpton) September 12, 2016

Running back Aaron Foster had this to say in response to critics:

there was a pre game speech from our president commemorating those that lost their lives on that tragic day on 9/11. we stood for that.
— feeno (@ArianFoster) September 12, 2016

Meanwhile, Jelani Jenkins said, "I chose to get involved to see if I could create change, raise awareness. And I want to make it clear that there is no disrespect to the military or to police officers—I'm not about that. I love everyone. I would like to keep moving forward in the right direction with everybody: equal rights, equal opportunity. From my position, it doesn't seem that it's happening. That's why I took a stand."

This seems more than fair, no?

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