Kate Upton Calls Players Kneeling During National Anthem 'Horrific'

Before an otherwise insignificant preseason game, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick refused to stand during the playing of the National Anthem as a protest against the “bodies in the street.” He said he’ll continue to kneel until there’s “significant change,” and other NFL players, including Brandon Marshall and Eric Reid, are publicly supporting him. (As has President Obama, who stated, “He’s exercising his constitutional right.”) But more than a few athletes, coaches, and celebrities have slammed Kaepernick for “disrespecting the flag,” according to Drew Brees.

One unlikely voice of dissent against Kaepernick and his supporters is supermodel-turned-actress Kate Upton.

“In my opinion, the national anthem is a symbolic song about our country,” she wrote in a lengthy Instagram post on Sunday, after four Miami Dolphins players kneeled during The Star-Spangled Banner. “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.” Here is her full post:

“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.”

That Instagram post was her way of attempting to clarify remarks she made earlier in the day on Twitter.

https://twitter.com/KateUpton/status/775092537707077632

https://twitter.com/KateUpton/status/775093441676075008

https://twitter.com/KateUpton/status/775151520941744128

https://twitter.com/KateUpton/status/775153280259350528

https://twitter.com/KateUpton/status/775156173137911808

But where was she when Chewbacca Mom tainted America forever? Anyway, after her comments, Kate was reminded by Twitter of her politician uncle, Republican U.S. Representative Fred Upton, who, as noted by @ElleLewis6, “voted against the Zadroga Act for 9/11 Responders’ Compensation and Health Care 3 times in 2010. Under pressure magnified by comedian Jon Stewart in 2015, he and many other republican reps changed their minds.”