Colts Cut Antonio Cromartie Over Anthem Protest?

In an NFL owners meeting earlier this week, Irsay was asked for his opinion on players kneeling during the anthem. He said the conduct of protests by players have "not been a positive thing."

In an interview with USA Today's Jarret Bell, Irsay elucidated by saying he thinks the stadium is not the right venue for the protests. He further stated that during games, players are expected to "do what they are paid to do," and that is what he referred to as "put on a show."

After the aforementioned statement, Terricka Cromartie, Antonio Cromartie's wife went to Instagram to convey her disappointment. In the deleted post, she expressed that his husband was told not to kneel, but he did. She also alleges that the protest "cost her husband his job."

Coach Chuck Pagano released a statement on October 5 regarding Mrs. Cromarties' comments. He described Antonio Cromartie's release as a "football decision" based on "what is best for the team," and what gives them "the best chance to win."

Cromartie also posted uploaded a photo of a quote from Martin Luther King Jr. Although he did not mention his release, it appeared that he is impacted by the statements Irsay released.

They say it's not the right place or venue to do what is right and stand for what is right. I guarantee that most of the people that's sending me hate messages don't even know the top 2 members that are leading in this country in homelessness. Well let me educate you. #1 Veterans #2 Children. But you guys care so much about the people that fought for this country. It's crazy while I was Indiana I had a chance to talk to some veterans that didn't have a problem with me taking a knee. Because they understood my reason behind it. I thank them my grandfather and my friends for their support who also served this country. Some of y'all I have to sit back and pray for, Because right now with everything that's going on in this country and with these two idiots making the presidential debate a reality show and a joke and it's sad. I pray that we make a change for the better. It starts by being honest with yourself, also by not being blind with what's going on in our communities and our country. I've played this game for 11 years and I am grateful for the opportunity the lord and the @chargers gave me back in 2006. #BeAboutChange #teamcromartie

A photo posted by Antonio Cromartie (@antoniocromartie31) on Oct 20, 2016 at 2:32pm PDT

Cromartie became the first player from the Colts to kneel during the anthem before their game against the San Diego Chargers. The following week, he did it again against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The 32-year-old cornerback was a free agent for months before the Colts signed him. He then started four games, but was unable to produce a good showing.

Aside from Jim Irsay, Houston Texans owner Bob McNair also aired out his opinion on anthem protests. He told USA Today that he believes fans come to football games to get away from issues within their everyday lives. Additionally, he thinks that conducting protest during games turn the fans off.