bar fight.That same report included documents that had a text exchange between Elliott and the woman indicating concern over the running back p

When you go to a sporting event, what do you think about when the national anthem is played? Do you feel patriotic? Do you feel thankful? Do you think of those serving in the military? Do you think of the War of 1812 and the bombing of Fort McHenry, which inspired Francis Scott Key to pen his lyrics?Do you even know where Fort McHenry was located? Did you even know Francis Scott Key is the author of the Star-Spangled Banner? Do you know who we fought in the War of 1812? Did you know the actual music to the song was adapted from a British song? Does any of this matter?Until a few weeks ago, when San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick kneeled before the anthem at a football game to protest racial injustice in this country, none of that did matter much. We stood, we took off our hats, we contemplated what to order at the concession stand or why Terry Collins would take out Addison Reed for Josh Smoker.That all changed. Suddenly, the anthem means ... something. It has become another way to further divide this country, symbolic, in some fashion, of this entire political season. There seems to be little room for discussion or nuance: Youre either with Kaepernick and others who have followed his lead across different sports, or youre against.Against this background, there was a silly little stunt on Wednesday afternoon following the anthem at the Cardinals-Rockies game in Denver. Cardinals outfielder Jose Martinez and Rockies reliever Carlos Estevez had a post-anthem standoff. To what means and point? I have no idea, though I seem to remember this happening earlier this season in another game. As their teammates dispersed to get ready for the game, Martinez and Estevez remained in front of their dugouts, standing like the Queens Guard in front of Buckingham Palace. At one point, Estevez donned a catchers mask, I guess in case the game started.The delay lasted long enough that the umpires had to tell the managers to get their players off the field.Look, Im sure the two rookies thought they were just having fun. Maybe Martinez, from Venezuela, and Estevez, from the Dominican Republic, were feeling especially appreciative on this night to play major league baseball.Even if that were the case, this is not the time for such behavior. Kaepernick says he has received death threats as a result of his protest. Charlotte was burning. Seattle Seahawks star Richard Sherman had spoken earlier in the day about how players are being misunderstood. I think you have players that are trying to take a stand and trying to be aware of social issues and try to make a stand and increase peoples awareness and put a spotlight on it, and theyre being ignored, he said. Whether theyre taking a knee or whether theyre locking arms, theyre trying to bring people together and unite them for a cause.In the middle of all this, of an issue of vital importance, we get this ridiculousness at a baseball game.I dont mean to sound so harsh. Im sure Martinez and Estevez had good intentions. But that gets to the bigger picture: Maybe its time to stop playing the anthem before sporting events. What impact does the song actually serve if its as ubiquitous as James Taylor playing in the background while youre getting your teeth cleaned? As Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Bob Ford wrote in late August:But it could also be suggested that the national anthem should be bigger than football, too, at least bigger than an August exhibition game of no particular meaning. What exactly about that trivial event is worthy of being introduced by the playing of a song that commemorates a moment in which the nations independence was in the balance?Still, it is played. It is played before nearly every game, in nearly every sport, at nearly every level where there is a public address system. Why is that? Habit is the best answer. That and the unspoken belief that the two minutes it takes to perform the anthem is less trouble than dealing with the blowback were the anthem not played to consecrate each game, no matter how insignificant.Theres a bit of an uneasy relationship sports has developed here, with the anthem, with God Bless America during the seventh-inning stretch, and, related, with the military. Im all for honoring our servicemen and women, but many of the tributes or presentations weve seen (such as the National Guard unfurling a big flag before a game) were actually paid for by the military itself. Which means paid for by U.S. taxpayers. The Department of Defense paid pro sports teams $53 million in marketing contracts between 2012 and 2015. (After Arizona Republicans John McCain and Jeff Flake prepared a report on this, the DOD reportedly banned the practice and the NFL called for teams to stop taking payments.)So maybe a sporting event should simply be a sporting event. If we want displays of patriotism, we should be volunteering in our communities, helping our neighbors and trying to understand the plights of those different from ourselves. Then we can all be proud to stand. Vapormax From China . The return match will take place next Wednesday. Udinese leads Fiorentina 2-1 in the other semifinal. Napoli staged a second-half comeback from two goals down after Gervinhos opener and a stunning strike from Kevin Strootman. Wholesale Vapormax . William Carrier opened the scoring for Cape Breton (6-4-2), but Andrew Ryan tied the game and Brent Andrews put the Mooseheads (8-6-0) in front for good with a short-handed goal at 13:49 of the second period. https://www.cheapvapormaxoutlet.com/ . And follow TSN.ca right through Deadline Day for all the updates. From Pierre LeBrun While Anaheim GM Bob Murray said earlier this season he was not going to trade Jonas Hiller despite the fact hes an unrestricted free agent on July 1, some sources have told TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun that Murray might be willing to move another goalie. Vapormax 2020 . Catch all the action on TSN2 at 11pm et/8pm pt. The nine-time Big 12 champion Jayhawks are positioning themselves for another title, as they have run out to a flawless 6-0 mark in conference play thus far. Clearance Air Vapormax . Nigeria beat surprise package Ethiopia 2-0 in the second leg of their playoff for a comfortable 4-1 aggregate victory. Victor Moses converted a 20th-minute penalty after an Ethiopian handball, and Victor Obinna made certain of Nigerias place in Brazil with his powerful free kick in the 82nd at UJ Esuene Stadium. ARLINGTON, Texas -- Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has acknowledged speaking with the NFLs special counsel for domestic violence investigations, and rookie running back Ezekiel Elliott said he was interviewed by the league this season about an abuse claim made against him.Elliott said after Sunday nights 29-23 overtime victory over Philadelphia that he was interviewed once by league investigators about six weeks ago. He characterized there being an ongoing investigation but said he didnt really know what was going on.Prosecutors in Ohio declined to press charges over the summer in a domestic violence case involving the fourth overall draft pick.All I can do is not worry about it, focus on this team and do whatever I can do to help these guys get wins, Elliott told the AP after running 22 times for 96 yards and catching four passes for 52 yards against the Eagles.CBS Sports reported earlier Sunday, citing multiple unnamed sources, that Jones raised the topic of the probe during league meetings in Houston about two weeks ago with Lisa Friel, a former New York prosecutor serving as special counsel. That report said they were within earshot of other league and team executives.Jones said after Sunday nights game that the two had a good discussion. He said the conversation might have gotten loud, but said it was a situattion where he had to talk over the music.ddddddddddddAsked if the interaction was contentious, he responded, Well, I dont know about that, but certainly, the volume of it had a lot to do with noise in there.In September, when Ohio officials decided not to file criminal charges, the Columbus city attorneys office cited conflicting and inconsistent information in evidence.A police report said Elliott, who played at Ohio State, denied allegations that he assaulted his girlfriend in July, causing bruises and abrasions.Three witnesses told police they didnt see Elliott assault the 20-year-old woman. Elliott said the woman got the bruises and abrasions in a bar fight.That same report included documents that had a text exchange between Elliott and the woman indicating concern over the running back passing a drug test.The report was released less than two weeks after video surfaced of Elliott in a legal marijuana shop in Seattle, which led to admonishments from Jones and coach Jason Garrett. Elliott apologized then for that, saying he realized he made a mistake.---Freelance reporter Jeff Carlton contributed to this report.---Online:AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '