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.
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.
