Shortly after 28-year-old Ahmad Khan Rahami was arrested in connection to Saturday night’s explosion in New York City, Republican Congressman Lee Zeldin (N.Y.) took to Twitter to post what many perceive as placing blame on NFL star Colin Kaepernick for the crime.

Kaepernick is responsible for kicking off a silent protest during the national anthem. Since the 49ers quarterback started kneeling through the patriotic song in the NFL preseason, several players have followed suit.

During appearances with press, Kaepernick has noted that his protest will continue until equal rights are obtained for people of color and other minorities.

“I’m not anti-American. I love America,” Kaepernick said in a previous interview earlier this month. “I love people. That’s why I’m doing this. I want to help make America better, and I think having these conversations helps everybody have a better understanding of where everybody is coming from.”

Several players from youth leagues, high school, college and the NFL have joined and/or commended Kaepernick for his efforts. President Obama defendant Kaepernick’s decision to silently protest the national anthem saying, “he’s exercising his constitutional right.”

“I think there’s a long history of sports figures doing so,” he said when asked about the controversy at the G20 Summit of world leaders last week. “[…] I don’t doubt his sincerity, based on what I’ve heard. I think he cares about some real, legitimate issues that have to be talked about.”