Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans sat during the United States national anthem before a National Football League game on Sunday to protest the election of Donald Trump as the country’s next president.
Earlier this season, dozens of players declined to stand during the anthem to protest racial inequality, a movement started by San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick.
But Evans’ decision to sit as a protest against Trump before his team’s home game against the Chicago Bears was a first, coming five days after the presidential election that swept the Republican Party candidate into office.
“I know Kaepernick did it, I’m doing it (kneeling) for a different reason,” Evans told reporters, adding that his protest was not a one-off.
“I’m not big on politics but I told myself if this (Trump’s election) happens, then America’s not right, right now. I said this a long time ago. When he ran, I thought it was a joke and the joke continues.
“It’s well documented what he’s done. I’m not going to stand for something I don’t believe in.”
The Buccaneers released a statement in response to the protest.
“We encourage all members of our organization to respectfully honor our flag during the playing of the National Anthem,” it said.
“We also recognize every individual’s constitutional right to freedom of speech, which is crucial to the American principles we cherish.” {eoa}
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