Colts Player to Critics: 'I'll Continue to Kneel and I'll Continue to Pray'

After being spotted by "Sunday Night Football" cameras taking a knee during the pre-game National Anthem, Indianapolis Colts Tight End Dwayne Allen got slapped with criticism on social media.

Some of the nasty tweets called him a "disgrace to America" and a "racist pig," and those were the nicer ones.

But in a video posted on the team's website, the five-year veteran explained that he wasn't kneeling out of protest, he was praying.

"For every game of my career, I have taken a knee towards the end of our anthem to say a prayer for every man that steps foot on that field," Allen said.

For over 4 years, @Dallen83 has knelt in prayer at the end of the National Anthem for every game. Sunday was no different: pic.twitter.com/EMVM8P9aWP

— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) October 19, 2016

"What I want most is for this world to be a better place for everyone who lives in it, for this country to be a better America for everyone who lives in it," Allen added. "And for those reasons, I'll continue to kneel and I'll continue to pray. I love this country. I love everyone that lives in it. Go Colts."

Allen has been open about his faith ever since he came into the league in 2011. Last year, he told CBN Sports reporter Tom Buehring how Jesus Christ "unshackled" him from sin and anger.

This hasn't been the first time Allen has explained why he's kneeled during the anthem - something he started doing long before San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick did so.

After he was spotted kneeling last month along with teammate Antonio Cromartie, Allen said he supports "all of our players in peaceful protesting."