Athletes Who Love America

The United States' World Cup run is over, but what better reason is there to keep stoking that Stars and Stripes fervor than the anniversary of America's independence? 

The Fourth of July, like the World Cup and Olympic Games, is the one occasion when it's socially acceptable to gird your loins with Old Glory (well...in an image of the flag, not the actual flag) and get ripped with family, friends and neighbors.

Patriotism is essentially the act of rooting for Team America, so patriotism and sports are an awesome combination. 

And with the exception of men's soccer, being a fan of Team America usually means being the fan of a champion.

American athletes, like a lot of us, showed their patriotic side during the World Cup by decking themselves out in flag swag and posting pics on Instagram. 

These athletes love America—and if you begin to hear a faint chant of "USA, USA, USA!..." in your head, don't try to fight it...join in.

Jonathan Stewart, Carolina Panthers

Instagram ID: @jonathanstewar1

Caption: Happy 4th everyone #thankful 

Ryan Lochte, Olympic Swimmer

Instagram ID: ryanlochte 

Caption: Proud to be All-American in #mycalvins, and honored to partner with @CalvinKlein @Macys #americanicons 

Roy Hibbert, Indiana Pacers

Instagram ID: @royhibbert55

Caption: Team America…… Yea. U know the song. Working out in these today. Feeling patriotic. 

Wesley Woodyard, Tennessee Titans

Instagram ID: @wooddro52

Caption: Happy 4th!!! @mrsvdoubleu @jessicamari @lisa_alli @de_s @britt_m_hall #Notty 

Heather McPhie, Freestyle Moguls Skier

Instagram ID: @heathermcphie 

Caption: @ilanared found a great coat today during my photo shoot with Red Bull…of course I put it on! 

Chris Myers, Houston Texans

Instagram ID: @cmyers55

Caption: #USA @jmyers03 @torlovsky3 @calbright14 @leahalbright

Paula Creamer, LPGA

Instagram ID: @paulacreamer1

Caption: [No caption]

Ahmad Black, NFL Free Agent

Instagram ID: @ahmadblack3535

Caption: #rp…me and my favorite white boy @gobig3

Carmelo Anthony, New York Knicks

Instagram ID: @carmeloanthony 

Caption: [No caption]

Randall Cobb, Green Bay Packers

Instagram ID: @rlcobb18

Caption: “They even talk about your baby crazy” 

Greg Bretz, Snowboarder

Instagram ID: @gregbretzz 

Caption: Leaving mammoth for Sochi tomorrow. Had to make sure my house was patriotic before I left. 

Alfred Morris, Washington Redskins

Instagram ID: @thoroughbred_fred

Caption: Captain American was able to make it out to Georgetown hospital gain this year was able to find a mini me

Sean Avery, Retired NHLer

Instagram ID: @imseanavery

Caption: [No caption]

B.W. Webb, Dallas Cowboys

Instagram ID: @ohgi_3dawg3

Caption: Outfit from last night! Told y’all I’m bringing onesies back!! #privae #dallas #olympic6 #carmine6 #kicks0l0gy #nicekicks #solecollector #kicksonfire #kickstagram #wdwtd #kotd 

Donte Stallworth, Retired NFLer

Instagram ID: @dontestallworth

Caption: I found the section with all the American flag attire! 

Heather Mitts, Retired Soccer Player

Instagram ID: @hmitts2

Caption: #worldcup #tbt

Ndamukong Suh, Detroit Lions

Instagram ID: @ndamukong_suh

Caption: For the love #Soccer!!! I owe my athletic ability to the sport of #FUTBOL! Thanks @NikeSoccer for letting me be apart of this! #FamilySport #Nike #Gooooal!!!!

McKayla Maroney, Gymnast

Instagram ID: @mckaylamaroney

Caption: [No Caption]

Mark Herzlich, New York Giants

Instagram ID: @markherzlich

Caption: Headed to #theSquire for some lunch with @anthonycastonzo July 4th all weekend #Merica*$#*Ya

Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder

Instagram ID: @easymoneysniper

Caption: #USA supporting at the gold medal soccer game

Mike Davis, University of South Carolina

Instagram ID: @mike28davis

Caption: Me and @itsyoung4_2 last night

Lindsey Vonn, Alpine Skier

Instagram ID: @lindseyvonn

Caption: Happy 4th of July!! I’m in Austria now for training so it’s not the same as being home but oh well. Be safe everyone! #independenceday #tbt

Jason Barnes, Toronto Argonauts

Instagram ID: @jaybarnes81

Caption: Game day apparel. Happy 4th yall. #ImportWideOuts #Repost @mrinman11 @chadowens2 #Argos 

Julia Mancuso, Alpine Skier

Instagram ID: @juliamancuso 

Caption: In Torino, I got a gold ring, I won gold gold! In Vancouver I got a silver shirt, I won silvers! In Sochi, Mom gave me a bronze dress (she thought it was gold), I won bronze. Last #sochieselfie #sochi2014 #Olympics woohoo! 

Nathan Stupar, Jacksonville Jaguars

Instagram ID: @thenastynate54

Caption: AMERICA…#usavspor 

Yasiel Puig, Los Angeles Dodgers

Instagram ID: @puigyasiel

Caption: Mi amigo de Cuba ahora aquí en my house

Kenny Britt, St. Louis Rams

Instagram ID: @kennybritt18

Caption: And den I hit dem wit the #yeet

The Rock, WWE

Instagram ID: @therock

Caption: I looked cool for a minute til the wind stopped. Proudly draped in old glory. THANK YOU, to all our US veterans. (and my SEAL family - love you both sumbitches). #SurroundedByFreedom 

Vontae Davis, Indianapolis Colts

Instagram ID: @21vdavis

Caption: Sink Hole life w/ Wifey @meg_harpe 

Floyd Mayweather Jr., Boxer

Instagram ID: @floydmayweather 

Caption: #throwback Representing the red, white & blue in the Olympics.

J.J. Watt, Houston Texans

Instagram ID: @justinjames99

Caption: [No caption]

Sydney Leroux, U.S. Women’s Soccer

Instagram ID: @sydneyleroux

Caption: We believe! 

Ryan Tannehill, Miami Dolphins

Instagram ID: @rtannehill17

Caption: #merica #usa 

Charlie Villanueva, NBA Free Agent

Instagram ID: @cvbelieve

Caption: But first let me take selfie. #cvbelieve 

Tavarres King, Carolina Panthers

Instagram ID: @tkunodos 

Caption: Tilted! @tiltedaxisclothing

Parker Kligerman, NASCAR

Instagram ID: @pkligerman 

Caption: I’m getting read to head out of the @nootelligence offices! It’s going down! #USAalltheway #USA #nootropics 

Nick Robey, Buffalo Bills

Instagram ID: @92nick 

Caption: RDR

Chandler Parsons, Houston Rockets

Instagram ID: @chandlerparsons

Caption: Happy 4th of July. #Basketballneverstops 

John Malecki, Pittsburgh Steelers

Instagram ID: @maleck74

Caption: Collaborated some #USA cornhole boards with @baron_batch for the #worldcup2014 victory yesterday. #merica 

Bud Cauley, PGA Golfer

Instagram ID: budcauley

Caption: who’s ready for the us soccer game tmrw? @captjaglee88 and i are #america 

Meghan Hardin, Golfer

Instagram ID: @marghanahardin

Caption: Stars & Stripes Forever. #happy4th #redwhiteandblue 

Devin Hester, Atlanta Falcons

Instagram ID: @devin_d_hester23

Caption: What people do for 5k

James Harden, Houston Rockets

Instagram ID: @jharden13

Caption: USA!!!!!!!!!!!

Keenan Robinson, Washington Redskins

Instagram ID: @keenanrobinson 

Caption: I’m more of an outdoors type

Alex Morgan, U.S. Women’s Soccer

Instagram ID: @alexmorgan13

Caption: Believe!

Marcus Hanel, Milwaukee Brewers

Instagram ID: @markoos55

Caption: Red, White and Blue! Yummy

Hulk Hogan, WWE

Instagram ID: @hulk__hogan__

Caption: On New York streets

Michael Crabtree, San Francisco 49ers

Instagram ID: @kingcrab15

Caption: #coolin #nyc

Sarah Hendrickson, Ski Jumper

Instagram ID: @schendrickson

Caption: Proud to be American. Thank you to all who have served our country. Happy Memorial Day! 

James Ihedigbo, Baltimore Ravens

Instagram ID: @diggz32

Caption: Beautiful Day In #HTOWN Y’all Enjoy Ya Saturday!!!

Mike Napoli, Boston Red Sox

Instagram ID: @mikenapoli25

Caption: [No caption]

Mike Napoli, Boston Red Sox

Instagram ID: @mikenapoli25

Caption: Yup just hanging with bill

Mike Napoli, Boston Red Sox

Instagram ID: @mikenapoli25

Caption: Best off day!!! Thanks to Peav and his wonderful family!! Can’t wait to go back. @southernfalls

Mike Napoli, Boston Red Sox

Instagram ID: @mikenapoli25

Caption: J Gomes Merica