Colin Kaepernick’s absence from the NFL hasn’t deterred the national anthem protests as more players are taking a stance against social injustice this preseason. But for Matthew Stafford’s wife, Kelly, she felt compelled to speak out against players kneeling or sitting for the national anthem.

On Wednesday, Stafford shared a long Instagram post about the increased activism in the NFL. She recognized that the country has issues, but felt that all players should still stand for the anthem.

She wrote:

“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

Stafford admitted that she would get backlash for the post, and she did. Yet, in a follow-up post on Wednesday, Stafford walked back on her initial comments, explaining that the response had opened her eyes to issues she was not aware of.

She wrote in the second post:

I truly meant no disrespect with my last post. If you know me personally, you know I love (mostly 😜) everyone and I try to be as open as possible! I want us all to be united and I think that takes putting opinions out there, hearing them, and discussing whether agreeing or not.. I believe that’s what inspires change. There are many comments that have truly opened my eyes to things I did not think about or know. I hope the posts and discussions keep happening. I will continue to read when I can.. but right now it’s time to handle these two babes.

Matthew and Kelly welcomed twin daughters in April.