Tampa Bay Buccaneers superstar wide receiver Mike Evans didn’t stand during the National Anthem before yesterday’s game against the Chicago Bears to protest the election of Donald Trump and says that he doesn’t plan to stand for the rest of the season.
He explained his reasoning to Joebucsfan.com in the locker room after the game.
“I don’t want to…disrespect the veterans or anything,” Evans said. “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.”
Evans said that his decision not to stand was in protest to the election of Donald Trump.
“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.”
Late Sunday evening, the Bucs released an official statement concerning Mike Evans’ protest.
“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.”
Comments are closed