INDIANAPOLIS -- When Colts cornerback Antonio Cromartie was asked what he'd say to fans who tell him to just "be a football player," he gave a very straightforward answer.
"I'm a black man first," Cromartie said.
The 11-year pro made news in Indiana as the first Colts player to take a knee during the national anthem played before the games.
READ | Colts' Antonio Cromartie kneels during national anthem
The protest was started by San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick. Kneeling during the anthem has become a popular protest in sports in response to police shootings and racial inequality across the United States.
Indiana Fever players also decided to kneel before Wednesday night's playoff game.
PREVIOUS | Indiana Fever player explains team kneel during National Anthem
When explaining his reason for kneeling, Cromartie said he has six young, black sons.
"Why wouldn't I speak up for them, and speak up for the other young black men who are growing up?" Cromartie said. "Why wouldn't I take a stand for any of that? That's what it's all about. We're trying to make change."
RTV6's Dave Furst, Michael Grady and Brad Brown discussed Cromartie's decision to kneel during the anthem and the public's response to it this week in Horseplay.
Watch in the video player above.
COLTS | Watch Horseplay, the RTV6 Colts show, each Monday at 8 p.m. on the RTV6 Facebook page, on the RTV6 app or on theindychannel.com/horseplay.
