Daily Life

Kate Upton criticises NFL players for #BlackLivesMatter protests

When you first heard about the #BlackLivesMatter activism currently turning the NFL's season-opening weekend into a powerful protest against racial injustice and police brutality, you probably had one thought: hmm, what might supermodel Kate Upton think about this?

No, of course nobody thought that. But Upton shared her thoughts on the issue anyway, in a lengthy Instagram post that can only be described as "controversial" (see also: "foolish", "tone-deaf", "why are you doing this? I liked you in The Other Woman, stop please"). 

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, middle, kneels during the national anthem before the team's NFL ...
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, middle, kneels during the national anthem before the team's NFL preseason football game against the San Diego Chargers, in San Diego. Photo: CHRIS CARLSON

In the post, the swimsuit model called the protests - which have seen NFL players kneeling and bowing their heads during pre-game recitals of the US national anthem, rather than the standard American response of getting on one's feet with hand on heart and wistful tear in eye - a "disgrace", particularly as they came on the 15th anniversary of the US's 9/11 attacks.

"In my opinion, the national anthem is a symbolic song about our country. It represents honouring the many brave men and women who sacrifice and have sacrificed their lives each and every single day to protect our freedom," she wrote. 

Great, let's all hear what Kate Upton has to say about #BlackLivesMatter.
Great, let's all hear what Kate Upton has to say about #BlackLivesMatter. 

"Sitting or kneeling down during the national anthem is a disgrace to those people who have served and currently serve our country. Sitting down during the national anthem on September 11th is even more horrific."

It's not necessarily the protests she's against, Upton wrote; she just really loves The Star-Spangled Banner, and seeing anyone not standing upright with quivering lip while those stars and stripes wave in the glorious breeze of an eagle's beating wings really sticks in her craw.

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"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," she wrote, probably after typing and deleting "'Muhrica f--- yeah!" fifty-one times.

 

In my opinion, the national anthem is a symbolic song about our country. 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. 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.

A photo posted by Kate Upton (@kateupton) on

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick first sparked the wave of protests almost two weeks ago, by refusing to stand for the national anthem during the NFL's preseason games.

"I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of colour," he told NFL Media following his initial protest. "To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder."

Since then, other NFL stars have showed their support for Kaepernick and continued his protest, including Miami Dolphins players in their season-opening game today, who took a knee during the national anthem - the protest which sparked Upton's missive.

While her post has somehow earned over 36k likes and counting since being posted this morning, highlighting the "divided" country she mentions in the post, others have called her out for her dismissive remarks.

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