The director of the Michigan State Police Col. Kriste Kibbey Etue posted a message on her Facebook page Sunday, in an apparent reference to athletes participating in anthem demonstrations, calling them "millionaire ingrates who hate America and disrespect our armed forces and veterans" and "a bunch of rich, entitled, arrogant, ungrateful, anti-American degenerates." She apologized for the post Tuesday.

Shanon Banner, a spokeswoman for Etue, told the Detroit Free Press the colonel's Facebook post was not about race, and was posted not publicly, but so that only Etue's friends would see it.

"As a public servant, Col. Etue has great respect for the armed forces and those who fight to protect our freedoms, Banner said in an e-mail to the Free Press.

Etue did not create the post, Banner said. "It’s a meme that is posted in other places around the Internet," she said.

The Michigan State Police released a message from Etue on Tuesday night via Facebook that apologized for the post:

It was a mistake to share this message on Facebook and I sincerely apologize to anyone who was offended.

I will continue my focus on the unity at the Michigan State Police and in communities across Michigan.

Despite the apology, activists are calling for the director to be fired.