Supermodel Kate Upton calls Dolphins players taking a knee on 9/11 'unacceptable'

Supermodel Kate Upton says Dolphins players should be proud to be American

Several Dolphins players took a knee during the national anthem prior to Sunday's Week 1 game against the Seahawks, following in the footsteps of 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who began the practice during the preseason.

#Dolphins players Kenny Stills, Michael Thomas, Arian Foster and Jelani Jenkins took a knee during national anthem. pic.twitter.com/AJx9f763KE

— James Walker (@JamesWalkerNFL) September 11, 2016

And while different teams have chosen to protest differently -- Chiefs' players interlocked arms instead of kneeling -- the issue remains a politically divisive one. Last month, CBS NFL analyst and former NFL quarterback Boomer Esiason called Kaepernick's actions "disrespectful," and on Sunday evening, supermodel and actress Kate Upton tweeted her displeasure with the Dolphins' players decision.

This is unacceptable. You should be proud to be an American. Especially on 9/11 when we should support each other. https://t.co/qFozwaH9Bu

— Kate Upton (@KateUpton) September 11, 2016

Upton's remarks didn't go unnoticed (which, we imagine, was the point):

@Piscesboy69@KateUpton and Kate is exercising her freedom of speech by criticizing their actions. She is entitled to do so under the Cnstn

— (((Port Dauphin))) (@portdauphin) September 11, 2016

@KateUpton where in this picture does it show you they aren't proud to be Americans? Protesting wrongs is how we became a country.

— slattern (@slatt3rn) September 11, 2016

A few minutes after the tweet above, Upton then tweeted this:

Protest&speak ur mind whenever u want but during the 120secs you should support the people who protect our freedom. https://t.co/qFozwaH9Bu

— Kate Upton (@KateUpton) September 11, 2016

And that, too, elicited a response:

@KateUpton In other words they should have freedom of speech except when it's inconvenient? Doesn't work that way.

— Tom Moran (@Piscesboy69) September 11, 2016

Kaepernick, whose team doesn't play until Monday night, has said that he'll continue to kneel during the national anthem to protest the oppression of black people in the United States.