Defensive back Antonio Cromartie, an 11-year NFL veteran, was released by the Indianapolis Colts after the team’s recent loss to Jacksonville, a game in which Cromartie was benched for the second half.

Now his wife Terricka is claiming publicly that her husband was released not because of poor play, but because he kneeled during the National Anthem a la 49er quarterback Colin Kaepernick to protest racism and oppression in America, according to Mediaite.

The cornerback knelt during the anthem and raised his fist before the game against Jacksonville, which was played in London.

Terricka Cromartie, in a now deleted Instagram post which was quoted by ESPN, asserted that Colts owner Jim Irsay, who has been outspoken in his opposition to the Anthem protests, ordered Cromartie not to kneel for the Anthem, and that his refusal was the real reason for being released from the team.

“One things for sure I know my husband was told Not to take a Knee and he went with his heart and he took one,” Terricka wrote. “And that cost him his Job.. and Clearly this Statement backs that up… Just a Paid To put on a show.”

That last line was a reference to Irsay's comment that “[w]hat we all have to be aware of as players, owners, PR people, equipment managers, is when the lights go on we are entertainment. We are being paid to put on a show. There are other places to express yourself.”

Antonio Cromartie posted the following on Instagram:

The Colts did not respond to the Cromarties’ comments and insist that Cromartie was released for performance reasons.

“I’ve said it before and I will say it again," said head coach Chuck Pagano in an earlier statement, "every decision that we make as far as our roster goes and this team goes, is based on two things — what is best for this team and what gives us the best chance to win.”