Athletes Who Love America

Amber LeeJul 3, 2014

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

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Instagram ID: @jonathanstewar1

Caption: Happy 4th everyone #thankful

Ryan Lochte, Olympic Swimmer

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Instagram ID: ryanlochte

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

Roy Hibbert, Indiana Pacers

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Instagram ID: @royhibbert55

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

Wesley Woodyard, Tennessee Titans

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Instagram ID: @wooddro52

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

Heather McPhie, Freestyle Moguls Skier

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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

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Instagram ID: @cmyers55

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

Paula Creamer, LPGA

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Instagram ID: @paulacreamer1

Caption: [No caption]

Ahmad Black, NFL Free Agent

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Instagram ID: @ahmadblack3535

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

Carmelo Anthony, New York Knicks

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Instagram ID: @carmeloanthony

Caption: [No caption]

Randall Cobb, Green Bay Packers

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Instagram ID: @rlcobb18

Caption: “They even talk about your baby crazy”

Greg Bretz, Snowboarder

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Instagram ID: @gregbretzz

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

Alfred Morris, Washington Redskins

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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

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Instagram ID: @imseanavery

Caption: [No caption]

B.W. Webb, Dallas Cowboys

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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

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Instagram ID: @dontestallworth

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

Heather Mitts, Retired Soccer Player

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Instagram ID: @hmitts2

Caption: #worldcup #tbt

Ndamukong Suh, Detroit Lions

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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

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Instagram ID: @mckaylamaroney

Caption: [No Caption]

Mark Herzlich, New York Giants

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Instagram ID: @markherzlich

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

Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder

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Instagram ID: @easymoneysniper

Caption: #USA supporting at the gold medal soccer game

Mike Davis, University of South Carolina

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Instagram ID: @mike28davis

Caption: Me and @itsyoung4_2 last night

Lindsey Vonn, Alpine Skier

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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

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Instagram ID: @jaybarnes81

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

Julia Mancuso, Alpine Skier

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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

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Instagram ID: @thenastynate54

Caption: AMERICA…#usavspor

Yasiel Puig, Los Angeles Dodgers

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Instagram ID: @puigyasiel

Caption: Mi amigo de Cuba ahora aquí en my house

Kenny Britt, St. Louis Rams

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Instagram ID: @kennybritt18

Caption: And den I hit dem wit the #yeet

The Rock, WWE

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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