How Buccaneers’ Mike Evans Used National Anthem to Protest Trump Election

While one NFL player saw enough change to end his national anthem protest a week ago, another is just beginning his.

Before the Tampa Bay Buccaneers took on the Chicago Bears at home on Sunday, wide receiver Mike Evans told the media that he will take a knee during the national anthem from this point forward. But he isn’t doing it for the same reasons as Colin Kaepernick, who said he wouldn’t “stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color” earlier in the season. Instead, Evans is protesting Donald Trump’s election – or, in his exact words, “how a reality star can be the president.”

“I don’t want to disrespect the veterans or anything,” Evans made clear before the Buccaneers played their annual “Salute to Service” game. “The men and women that served this country, I’m forever indebted to them. But the things that have been going on in America lately, I’m not going to stand for that. When Ashton Kutcher comes out and says we’ve been punked, then I’ll stand again. But I won’t stand anymore.”

#Bucs wide receiver Mike Evans explains his why he knelt during the National Anthem in protest of President Elect Donald Trump. #CHIvsTB pic.twitter.com/vrvR7lQVav

— Paul Ryan (@WFLAPaul) November 13, 2016

“I’m not big on politics and things like that,” Evans continued. “But I told myself if this happens, then America is not right right now. I said this a long time ago. When [Trump] ran, I thought it was a joke, and the joke continues.”

Evans heard some boos from fans, according to ESPN, but his protest was quiet for the most part. And even though he didn’t ask for support from his teammates, Cecil Shorts III came to his side by saying, “I respect his decision. [It] takes a lot to make that move, and I support him fully.”