first-year Cleveland manager Terry Francona pitched to Votto instead of perhaps walking him to face Phillips, whod already hit into one double play in

TAMPA, Fla. -- Tampa Bay Buccaneers receiver Mike Evans says he will not continue to protest the election of Donald Trump as president by declining to stand for the national anthem before games.The third-year pro apologized Wednesday to the military and anyone else truly affected by him not joining his teammates in standing on the sideline before last weeks game against the Chicago Bears.Evans stopped short of saying he regretted not standing for the anthem on Salute To Service Day at Raymond James Stadium . He still thinks Trumps election is not good for the country, but instead of protesting he intends to try to impact the plight of minorities in other ways.I know Ive hurt a lot of people by doing what I did. Im sorry to those who are truly affected by what I did, to those who are disappointed in what I did, and to my teammates, Evans said.Evans said Sunday he meant no disrespect to the military, but that he viewed the election of a businessman and reality television star to the nations highest office was not a good look for America.He said reaction from fans and others on social media has been mixed.Its what I expected. Some people were saluting me, some people were showing evil, and a lot of hate, said Evans, whos tied for the NFL lead in touchdown receptions with eight.I just want people to understand that you cant just hate somebody because they have different beliefs and different views than you, Evans said. Thats the problem, thats why I did what I did. Thats what I want people to understand, you cant just wish harm on somebody because they have different beliefs than you. Everyone didnt grow up the same.Evans, 23, grew up in Galveston, Texas. He said he will reach out to different organizations and use my voice to help minorities, including blacks, Latinos, women, the LGBT community and other people that are in fear of Donald Trump and his presidency.The way people grow up, it shapes the way they think and do things. I grew up in a mixed population, white, Hispanic and black, and I feel all people are equal, Evans said, adding that he wasnt surprised by the criticism hes drawn since Sunday.It was the Salute to Service game, and so looking back on it I probably would have done it a different way, Evans said. But its done. It wont happen again. Ill be standing with my teammates. But I will be using my platform to bring (awareness).Quarterback Jameis Winston was among the teammates who said they respected Evans right to protest.Yeah, I talked to him about it and Im definitely on his side. I respect his beliefs. ... Ive got his back, Winston said.Mike is a standup guy, one of the greatest guys on this football team, the quarterback added. What he does on the field, what he does off the field, the type of man that he is, speaks for itself.Evans, who has 59 receptions for 811 yards in nine games, said he hasnt received any backlash in the locker room.My teammates are a bunch of great guys. They understand, they know what type of guy I am, they know Ill do whatever I can do to help them on the field, Evan said. They showed me the utmost respect.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL Wholesale NFL Jerseys . PETERSBURG, Fla. Wholesale NHL Jerseys . -- Brandon Jennings made the most of his first game with the Detroit Pistons on Sunday night. http://www.cheapjerseysnhlauthentic.com/ . Tomas Berdych and Radek Stepanek defeated Nenad Zimonjic and Ilija Bozoljac 6-2, 6-4, 7-6 (4) on the indoor hard-court at Belgrade Arena. The victory improved the Czech pairs impressive cup doubles record to 14-1. Cheap Olympic Hockey Jerseys . The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the Lions have not announced the hiring, which was first reported by ESPN. Lombardi, the grandson of former Green Bay Hall of Fame coach Vince Lombardi, has been an offensive assistant on Sean Paytons New Orleans staff since 2007. Cheap Hockey Jerseys . Scott won the Australian PGA last week in his first event in Australia since winning the U.S. Masters in April. American Matt Kuchar, ahead by two strokes with four to play and even with Scott with one to go, double-bogeyed the 18th after taking two shots to get out of a bunker. CINCINNATI, Ohio -- A medium-deep fly ball by Joey Votto wouldve done the trick. He did better than that. Votto hit a tiebreaking, two-run homer in the eighth inning, lifting the Cincinnati Reds over the Cleveland Indians 4-2 Monday in the opener of their intrastate matchup. "I just wanted to put the barrel on the ball and at least get a sacrifice fly," said Votto, who began the day leading the NL in hitting at .353. "It was important to not strike out there or roll over and put the ball on the ground." Votto won this interleague game with his ninth homer, tagging left-hander Nick Hagadone (0-1). The reliever was called up from Triple-A earlier in the day when closer Chris Perez was put on the disabled list with a sore right shoulder. Shin-Soo Choo led off the Reds eighth with a single and moved around on a passed ball and Zack Cozarts sacrifice bunt. With the Indians infield drawn in, Votto followed with an opposite-field shot into the seats in left, lifting the Reds to their sixth win in their last seven games. Vottos homer came with NL RBIs leader Brandon Phillips on deck, followed a conference on the mound. Reds manager Dusty Baker was asked if he was surprised first-year Cleveland manager Terry Francona pitched to Votto instead of perhaps walking him to face Phillips, whod already hit into one double play in the game. "I never second-guess the other teams manager," Baker said. "Youve got to take your shot at some point in the game. Votto won that time." The conversation dealt with how to approach Votto, Francona said. "Hagadone has great stuff," he said. "We wanted to pound Votto inside and not let him get his arms extended. Its part of the learning experience, but a pitcher also has to pitch to a comfort zone. If wed have walked him, it wouldnt have been the end of the world." Hagadone refused to blame his inexperience. "It was supposed to be a fastball away," he said. "Even if Id been up here all year, Id have been upset." Choo, traded from the Indians to the Reds in the off-season, also hit a leadoff homer in the first. Jason Giambi tied it in the Indians eighth with a long pinch-hit homer.dddddddddddd The solo shot was estimated at 467 feet and caromed off the batters background in centre field. His ninth career pinch-hit homer ended his 0-for-24 slump and was third homer of the season and first since April 20. Jonathan Broxton (2-1) got two outs in the eighth. Aroldis Chapman pitched the ninth for his 13th save, clinching the Indians fourth consecutive loss and sixth in their last seven games. Reds starter Mike Leake allowed one earned run and five hits in 7 1-3 innings, striking out seven to match his season high. He left with a no-decision after giving up Giambis homer. "Even that pitch wasnt a bad pitch," Leake said. "He did a very good job with it. I thought I did a pretty good job today, as a whole. Thats a very good lineup. I was going after them, trying to make them hit my pitch." Leake had complete-game stuff, Votto said. "Its a shame Jason hit that ball," Votto said. "If it doesnt, maybe (Leake) finishes the game, but Jasons been around." Ubaldo Jimenez, 3-0 in five previous career starts against Cincinnati, gave up four hits and two runs in seven innings. Choo, sent to the Reds with infielder Jason Donald and cash for outfielder Drew Stubbs and infielder Didi Gregorius in December, led with his 10th homer of the season. The Indians took advantage of an error by Phillips, another former Indians player, to tie it in the fourth. Jason Kipnis singled and took third when Phillips mishandled Nick Swishers grounder. Carlos Santanas sacrifice fly made it 1-all. Cozart led off the sixth with a double that just nicked the outside of the left-field line, advanced on Vottos groundout to second and scored on Phillips sacrifice fly. NOTES: The Reds improved to 40-42 in their inter-league series with the Indians. ... The sellout crowd was the fourth straight for the Reds, the second time theyd had four consecutive sellout crowds since moving from Crosley Field in 1970 and the first time since 2004. ... Reds RHP Mat Latos (4-0) will try to stay undefeated in the second game of the brief two-game series on Tuesday. Hell be opposed by Cleveland RHP Zach McAllister (4-3). ' ' '