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NFL player who sat to protest election of Donald Trump apologizes to fans, military

Posted at 9:24 AM, Nov 15, 2016
and last updated 2016-11-15 11:24:45-05

In protest of the election of Donald Trump as president, Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans sat during the national anthem Sunday before the Buccaneers' game against the Chicago Bears.

"I'm not going to stand for something I don't believe in," Evans explained after the game. "When he ran, I thought it was a joke, and the joke continues."

On Tuesday, Evans had a change of heart. While he still appears to feel the same way about Trump, he wrote an apology to fans and members of the military whom he may have offended, and he said he will stand with his teammates during the anthem going forward.

The 23-year-old Evans was a first-round selection in the 2014 NFL Draft. He is among the NFL's leaders in receptions and receiving yards this season.