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Matthew Stafford’s Wife Hammers People Disrespecting The National Anthem

Matthew Stafford (Credit: Getty Images/Jonathan Daniel)

David Hookstead Sports And Entertainment Editor
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Don’t plan on seeing Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford kneeling on the sidelines any time soon.

Stafford’s wife Kelly sounded off Wednesday morning on Instagram about the national anthem, and there’s no wiggle room in her caption of the American flag.

She captioned the photo:

“If you think the country can be better, stand for the ideal. If you think the answer is people showing unity, stand with them. The anthem is not the national police song. The anthem is not the national racists song. The anthem is an exercise in how this country can endure and rise, how we can agree on its future potential, even while struggling with its present.

The anthem’s words depict a flag that is suffering through bombs and rockets. You could easily view those bombs and rockets as the challenges our democracy faces today, and the flag a symbol of rising above them.” -Mitch albom

I’ve been hesitant to talk about this, as I know I will get backlash from it.. but I believe we can stand and show our unity against everything that doesn’t represent what this flag stands for. Let’s stand united against terrorists, against racism, against white supremacists, against killing of cops, against police brutality, against sex slave trafficking.. against anything that is not the ideal for this country. 

Let’s unite in the fact that God made us all unique and different and that is something we should cherish. You can disagree with me and that is totally ok.. let’s use this forum to discuss (not yell at each other) and listen to one another. 

#landofthefree #homeofthebrave
#illstandwithyou #nfl #standunited#unitedwestand

“If you think the country can be better, stand for the ideal. If you think the answer is people showing unity, stand with them. The anthem is not the national police song. The anthem is not the national racists song. The anthem is an exercise in how this country can endure and rise, how we can agree on its future potential, even while struggling with its present. The anthem’s words depict a flag that is suffering through bombs and rockets. You could easily view those bombs and rockets as the challenges our democracy faces today, and the flag a symbol of rising above them.” -Mitch albom I’ve been hesitant to talk about this, as I know I will get backlash from it.. but I believe we can stand and show our unity against everything that doesn’t represent what this flag stands for. Let’s stand united against terrorists, against racism, against white supremacists, against killing of cops, against police brutality, against sex slave trafficking.. against anything that is not the ideal for this country. Let’s unite in the fact that God made us all unique and different and that is something we should cherish. You can disagree with me and that is totally ok.. let’s use this forum to discuss (not yell at each other) and listen to one another. #landofthefree #homeofthebrave #illstandwithyou #nfl #standunited #unitedwestand

A post shared by Kelly Stafford (@kbstafford89) on

I’m sure lots of Colin Kaepernick supporters will read her note and respond rationally after thinking it over. Oh wait, this is the era of hot takes and social media.

I’m also not the biggest fan of players’ wives weighing in on subjects if they will have an impact in the locker room or on the field. Do I agree with Stafford’s sentiment? Obviously. I believe people should stand for the national anthem, but I’m not sure I want my quarterback’s wife getting involved with the hottest topic in the NFL right now.

Either way, I think her sentiments probably mean her husband agrees, and won’t be joining the Kaepernick unemployment club anytime soon.

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