Bucs receiver Mike Evans, who drew national backlash after deciding to sit during the national anthem Sunday in protest of Donald Trump's election as president, issued a statement Tuesday saying he had ended that protest.
"I will not sit again during the national anthem because I want to focus my efforts on finding more effective ways to communicate my message and bring about change by supporting organizations and movements that fight for equal rights for minorities," Evans said in a statement. "This Sunday, I will be back to standing with my teammates."
Evans, 23, addressed the protest after Sunday's game, saying that Trump was a "joke" and that he could not stand for something he did not believe in. His action drew threats of boycotts of Bucs games from local politicians and fans, and coach Dirk Koetter said Monday he was personally "disappointed" by Evans' decision, which he didn't find out about until after Sunday's 36-10 Bucs win over the Chicago Bears.
http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/bucs/bucs-mike-evans-says-he-will-end-national-anthem-protest/2302880