Indianapolis Colts

Cromartie's wife: Colts cut husband due to national anthem protest

Published Oct. 20, 2016 7:44 p.m. ET

foxsports

INDIANAPOLIS -- Terricka Cromartie believes the Indianapolis Colts cut her husband, Antonio, because of his national anthem protest.

On Thursday, she took her claims public on Instagram and noted earlier comments from team owner Jim Irsay as confirming it. Irsay called the protests not "a positive thing."

Cromartie's wife wrote, in part: "one things for sure I know my husband was told Not to take a knee and he went with his heart and took one. And that cost him his job." He was the only Colts' player to protest by taking a knee and raising his fist during the anthem.

Team spokesman Avis Roper responded by citing coach Chuck Pagano's previous answer about making the best decision for the team.

The Colts signed Cromartie on Aug. 22 to solidify a secondary decimated by injuries. He started each of Indy's first four games, but was benched in the second half against Jacksonville after being called for two penalties on the Jaguars' final first-half drive as well as poor play.

The 32-year-old Cromartie was cut the next day -- just as the Colts' regulars were getting healthy.