Antonio Cromartie was one of many players following Colin Kaepernick’s lead with a protest during the national anthem before games. It is his wife’s belief he was cut by the Colts because of it.
In an Instagram post, which has since been removed, Terricka Cromartie took Colts owner Jim Irsay to task over statements he made in response to the national anthem protest movement. Irsay suggested a football stadium was the wrong venue to perform such an act or display, which clearly is a debatable stance.
“You are Nothing More than an Entertainer. Just Shut and do what we say. You have No rights as along as you are working for me. [T]here are other places for you to fight and stand for what you believe,” the post said, according to ESPN reporter Mike Wells.”One thing’s for sure I know my husband was told Not to take a Knee and he went with his heart and he took one. And that cost him his Job.. and Clearly this Statement backs that up… Just a Paid To put on a show.”
Colts head coach Chuck Pagano said the release of Cromartie was nothing more than a football decision.
“I’ve said it before and I will say it again, every decision that we make as far as our roster goes and this team goes, is based on two things — what is best for this team and what gives us the best chance to win,” Pagano said.
Earlier this month. Cromartie was having a rough season on the field, so there was a justification for cutting a player with the performance this season Cromartie has had, despite being a four-time Pro Bowl player in his career. The Colts were also getting deeper in the secondary as injured players started to get healthy.
Was the anthem protesting a distraction to the team? Probably not to the guys on the field. From an off-the-field standpoint? That’s hard to tell, but we know where Cromartie’s wife falls on the subject.
[ESPN]
