A day after reversing his position on not standing for the National Anthem, Bucs wide receiver Mike Evans stood at his locker to face the media, explaining his decision in more detail.

“The City of Tampa is big on the military. I know I’ve hurt a lot of people by doing what I did,” Evans said. “I’m sorry to those who are truly affected by what I did, to those who are disappointed in what I did, and to my teammates. From now on, don’t worry. I will continue to use my platform.”

Evans told the throng of media surrounding him that the decision to change his mind came from him, not under the pressure of the organization.

“On my own, it felt awkward when I sat and my teammates are all standing up, you know, I’m a team guy,” Evans said. “I’m going to use my voice to help the minorities.”

Evans knew he would receive some backlash from the public.

“It’s what I expected. Some people were saluting me, some people were showing evil, and a lot of hate,” Evans said. “It’s what I expected. That’s the problem that I had, and that’s why I did what I did, but I can’t change it. I apologize to the military.

“I just want people to understand that you can’t just hate somebody because they have different beliefs and different views than you. That’s the problem, that’s why I did what I did. That’s what I want people to understand, you can’t just wish harm on somebody because they have different beliefs than you, everyone didn’t grow up the same. That’s why I did what I did.”

Much of the fan frustration with Evans anti-Donald Trump stance was based on reports that he didn’t vote in this election. Evans explained why.

“I know seen that I said I didn’t vote, that I don’t do politics and things like that,” Evans said. “Thing is, I tried to vote, but I realized I’m a voter in Texas and it was too late, to take proper actions to do it, but it’s my fault.”

Evans told the media that despite the fact he will stand, he will still use his position as a professional athlete to raise awareness for social injustices.

“On the field I’m going to continue doing what I do, play hard. I’m playing hard, because I have this right,” Evans said. “I’m going to reach out to organizations, the organizations that are doing the best job to show support to the minorities.

“Minorities, women, LGBT, African-Americans, Latinos, the people that are in fear of Donald Trump and his presidency. Yes, my means of protest are changing. But I still will be fighting for the minorities.”

Despite his protest on Sunday prior to the Bears game, Evans said he always had a respect for the National Anthem.

“When I was a kid, man, I loved standing for the national anthem,” Evans said. “”And I still do love standing for the  National Anthem because you know, I think of our troops but most importantly I think of the American population and everybody as a whole and our leader, who our leader is and there’s going to be some foggy area there but I will stand.

“I just said earlier, I would do it differently but I would still use my voice and my platform.”