Mike Evans Sits During National Anthem to Protest Donald Trump's Election

Prior to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' game against the Chicago Bears on Sunday, wide receiver Mike Evans opted to sit during the national anthem to protest Donald Trump's election as the president of the United States.

Per JoeBucsFan.com, Evans explained why he sat during the anthem Sunday and doesn't plan to stand for the rest of the season:

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I don't want to, you know, disrespect the veterans or anything. The men and women who serve this country, I'm forever indebted to them. But the things that's been going on in America lately, I'm not going to stand for that. When Ashton Kutcher comes out and says we've been punked, then I'll stand again. But I won't stand anymore.

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Evans noted he heard some jeers from fans at Raymond James Stadium: "I heard it a little bit, and it was from the people that I expected it to be from."

On Tuesday, Evans released a statement (via Josina Anderson of ESPN) apologizing for his protest, saying he will resume standing for the national anthem:

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I want to start by apologizing to all the U.S. military members, their families, and the fans who I offended by my actions on Sunday. It was never my intention as I have tremendous respect for the men and women who serve our country.

I have very strong emotions regarding some of the many issues that exist in our society today. I chose to sit as an expression of my frustration towards this year's election. It was very personal for me, as it was for so many Americans.

With that being said, I will not sit again during the National Anthem because I want to focus my efforts on finding more effective ways to communicate my message and bring about change by supporting organizations and movements that fight for equal rights for minorities.

This Sunday, I will be back to standing with my teammates.

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Buccaneers head coach Dirk Koetter spoke on the reaction of the fans on Monday, according to Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times:

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I'm not going to speak for Mike in any form at all. I'm not going to get into any advice I'd have for Mike. As far as me talking to the fans, I think the organization put out a great statement. We really want the fans to come out. I'm dying to get the fans out there and fill Ray-Jay up. We've got to play better football, and the better football we play, the more they'll come. I think we took a good step in that direction yesterday. That's my statement on that.

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The Buccaneers released a statement on Evans' decision, per ESPN.com's Jenna Laine:

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The Buccaneers are deeply committed to the military and honoring the great men and women that have dedicated their lives and have made great sacrifices to insure all the tremendous freedoms we have in this great country. We encourage all members of our organization to respectfully honor our flag during the playing of the National Anthem. We also recognize every individual's constitutional right to freedom of speech, which is crucial to the American principles we cherish.

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"I hope it doesn't affect our team," Koetter said, according to Auman. "That's something I'll take whatever measures I think are necessary to try to minimize what effect it has on our team. I'm really not sure. This is unchartered water for me. I'm not sure about any of that." Speaking specifically about Trump's election, Evans described the situation as a joke that keeps going.

"If this happens, then America's not right right now," Evans said. "I said this a long time ago. When [Donald Trump] ran, I thought it was a joke, and the joke continues. I'm not a political person that much, but I got common sense. And I know when something's not right."

Evans said his decision to sit was not about political preference, just displeasure with Trump's election. However, Auman noted Evans revealed in a response to an Instagram post that he did not vote in the election.

Earlier in the week, Cleveland Cavaliers star LeBron James told Chase Hughes of CSN Mid-Atlantic he isn't sure he would visit the White House if the Cavs win another NBA championship, though he also said all citizens have to do their part to ensure the country comes together.