Cromartie's wife says Colts released him for protesting anthem

Following Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay's statement declaring he disagrees with players protesting the national anthem, Antonio Cromartie's wife says she knows why her husband was released from the team after four games.

In a private Instagram post Wednesday, Terrika Cromartie claims the Colts let her husband go because he took a knee. With a photo showing Irsay's full quote - "I think it's the wrong venue ... What we all have to be aware of as players, owners, PR people, equipment managers, is when the lights go on, we are entertainment" - Cromartie's caption read:

You are Nothing More than an Entertainer. Just Shut and do what we say. You have No rights as along as you are working for me.. there are other places for you to fight and stand for what you believe... Smh Maybe I read something different.. 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. And that cost him his Job.. and Clearly this Statement backs that up... Just a Paid To put on a show.. SMH

The cornerback is the only Colts player to protest this season so far. Some believed tight end Dwayne Allen was participating when cameras showed him on one knee before kickoff Sunday night, but he quickly dispelled the thought, explaining he was praying as he does before every game.

When Cromartie was released in early October, head coach Chuck Pagano told media it was a football decision, which the team stood by when asked about Terrika's comments Thursday.

"I've said it before and I will say it again, 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," Pagano said Oct. 5, according to ESPN's Mike Wells.