On the fifteenth anniversary of 9/11, four members of the Miami Dolphins were kneeling during the national anthem to protest in the same way Colin Kaepernick did a few weeks back. Many people were angry that they have done this, calling it disrespectful especially since it was on the day of the infamous terror attack. Sports Illustrated model, Kate Upton, made a post on Instagram calling their protest “horrific” and a “disgrace.”

In a tweet she stated, “protest and speak your mind whenever you want but during the 120 secs you should support the people who protect our freedom”. She also stated in another tweet, “[The football players] have every right to protest and should stand up for beliefs. Justice system IS corrupt. Not the same time during anthem on 9/11”.

Some people agreed with her and called the protest disrespectful and disgusting, while others didn’t agree that it was a bad thing. Several believed that the four members of the team were exercising their freedoms by not standing. Supporters of the players have gone to Twitter to share their opinions. Some claim that they no longer support the Miami Dolphins, and others say they never supported them in the first place. Many now support the team because of their actions.

Since the Colin Kaepernick and the Miami Dolphins protests, others have joined in. Marcus Peters of the Kansas City Chiefs raised his fist, a symbol that is commonly associated with the Black Lives Matter movement. In response to the backlash, the Kansas City Chiefs stated, “After having a number of thoughtful discussions as a group regarding our representation during the National Anthem, we decided collectively to lock arms as a sign of solidarity. It was our goal to be unified as a team and to be respectful of everyone’s opinions, and the remembrance of 9/11. It’s our job as professional athletes to make a positive impact on our communities and to be proactive when change is needed. Together we are going to continue to have conversations, educate ourselves and others on social issues and work with local law enforcement officials and leaders to make an impact on the Kansas City community.”