Page 12 - Florida Sentinel 11-25-16 Online Edition

Local
Sports Fans Still Talking About The Bucs’ Mike Evans Stance
BY GWEN HAYES Sentinel Editor
Although Tampa Bay Bucca- neers’ wide receiver Mike Evans offered an apology for his stance Sunday, November 13, 2016 at Raymond James Stadium and the Bucs won the game against the Chicago Bears, sports fans still have comments about his choice to sit during the National An- them.
In his apology, Evans stated:
“I want to start by apologiz- ing 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
Mike Evans, far right rear, Monday night after he sat down on the National Anthem at the Lavonte David Athletes and Causing Bowling charity event for Big Brothers Big Sisters.
Tyrone Keys, rear right, with the Junior Buccaneers, who Mike Evans sponsors to attend Bucs’ home games.
regarding some of the many is- sues that exist in our society today. I chose to sit as an ex- pression of my frustration to- wards this year’s election. It
was very personal for me, as it was for so many Americans.”
He told the Tampa Bay Times, "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 wasn't surprised by the criticism he's 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 told the newspaper. "But it's done. It won't happen again. I'll be standing with my teammates. But I will be using my platform to bring (awareness)."
Former Tampa Bay Bucca- neer and Chicago Bears foot- ball player, Tyrone Keys told the Sentinel:
“I spoke to Mike --last Monday night (11-14) at team- mate Lavonte David’s Charity Bowling fundraiser for BIG BROTHER AND BIG SIS- TERS, hosted by Athletes and Causes. It spoke volumes that he kept his commitment to participate, in light of the backlash he was receiving throughout the day for his stance. I thanked him for com- ing out and for providing the unique opportunity for our kids to come as his guest and that he is a role model and he proved that by standing up to media and apologizing to those he offended and has vowed to do even more in our commu- nity to help bring unity.”
Continuing, Keys said: “Mike Evans has been a big supporter of our Junior Buccaneers program, where I serve as a Senior Adviser. We were his special guests at the Thursday Night game in which John Lynch was inducted into the Ring of Honor. Mike has provided a bigger message now for our kids!!”
Former Tampa resident
ERJAAM HAYES ...Senior Coordinator, Social Responsibility, NBA
and NBA staffer, Erjaam Hayes said:
“I'm a big supporter of ath- letes utilizing their platform to bring awareness to issues of importance. There is a lot of hurt and frustration around the election and he decided that was his way to protest, and no one should tell him he should do otherwise. I think it was a miss by Mike Evans to backtrack on his stance so quickly, especially if he had certain feelings about it, and I hope he didn't apologize be- cause of outside pressure. We must move from protest to ac- tion and finding meaningful and effective solutions, so I'm interested to see what his plans are moving forward.”
Popular talk show host, James Cole of The Cole and the Cure, had this to say:
“I think it is more impor- tant for people who are celebrities to use their celebrity status within their in- dustry to protest because they have the loudest voice. Ray Charles was an example of that. The NFL has a responsi- bility to its fans and Mike Evans was speaking to a seg-
ORLANDO GUDES ...Youth football league organizer
JAMES COLE ...Radio talk show host
ment of its fans.”
Orlando Gudes, who was
attending a youth football re- gional tournament in Lake Buena Vista, said last Friday that: “It’s fine to show your displeasure about things, but we have to show it in other forms. What he did was inap- propriate at the time because they were recognizing veterans and military personnel on that day. We have to be mindful of the way we show our displea- sure.”
PAGE 12-A FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2016