MSP director faces investigation after NFL protest post

The Michigan State Police says an internal investigation will determine whether the agency's director will be disciplined for sharing a Facebook post that called some NFL players "anti-American degenerates."

Spokeswoman Shanon Banner said in an email Friday that Col. Kriste Kibbey Etue will be treated the same as any other state police employee accused of misconduct.

Banner says if Etue is found to have violated agency policy, she could receive a written reprimand or a five-day suspension.

Etue has apologized, and Gov. Rick Snyder says he won't fire her. Some legislators, civil rights groups and others want her out.

Etue shared a post signed "we the people." It calls NFL players who kneel during the national anthem "millionaire ingrates who hate America and disrespect our armed forces and veterans."

The message shared Sunday by Col. Kriste Kibbey Etue called the players "millionaire ingrates who hate America and disrespect our armed forces and veterans." The posting also called the protesters "rich, entitled, ungrateful."

A statement from Etue late Tuesday said it was a mistake to share the post and she'll "continue my focus on unity."

Michigan State Police director apologizes for NFL protest post

The taking of a knee during the national anthem was started last year by former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick to draw attention to social inequality and police treatment of blacks.

This past Sunday, several Detroit Lions players kneeled during the national anthem and linked arms with standing players, the coach and team owner - part of a unified protest against comments made by President Donald Trump, who suggested last week that NFL owners should fire players who kneel.

Lions owner Martha Firestone Ford was among numerous owners to issue statements supporting the players' right to protest.

The Associated Press contributed to this report