d to it now, defe skated in practice on Monday and may return to the lineup after a two-week absence caused by a lower-body inj

TAMPA, Fla. -- Tampa Bay receiver Mike Evans sat during the national anthem Sunday, saying hes disheartened by the election of Donald Trump as the next president of the United States.The third-year pro said his protest before the game against the Chicago Bears was because he feels electing a reality television star to the highest office in the nation is not a good look for America.I dont want to disrespect the veterans or anything. The men and women that serve this country, Im forever indebted to them. But the things that have been going on in America lately, Im not going to stand for that, Evans said.I told myself, `If this character -- Im not big on politics or things like that -- but I told myself, `If this happens, then America is not right right now, Tampa Bays leading receiver added. I said it a long time ago. When he ran I thought it was a joke. The joke continues.The Buccaneers issued a statement Sunday night saying the organization is deeply committed to the military and honoring the great men and women that have dedicated their lives and have made great sacrifices to insure all the tremendous freedoms we have in this great country.We encourage all members of our organization to respectfully honor our flag during the playing of the national anthem, the team added. We also recognize every individuals constitutional right to freedom of speech, which is crucial to the American principles we cherish.Evans had four catches for 66 yards against the Bears. He entered the game leading the league with eight touchdown receptions.Evans said hell continue to sit for the anthem as long as Trump is president-elect.Im not a political person that much, but I have common sense, he said. And I know when something is not right.Evans reiterated that his protest was because of who Trump is, not the Republican or Democratic parties.Its well documented what hes done, Evans said. Im not going to stand for something I dont believe in. Thats the end of that.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL Larry Murphy Penguins Jersey . Following a lopsided 5-2 loss against the New Jersey Devils on Wednesday night, Paul MacLean told reporters that "theres a lack of focus, theres a lack of leadership and theres a lack of preparation" with his struggling team. That came on the heels of Bryan Murray taking the unusual step of going into the locker room at the Prudential Center and addressing the players himself. Mark Recchi Penguins Jersey . -- Jacksonville wide receiver Cecil Shorts will likely be a game-time decision whether hell play Sunday in the Jaguars home game against the San Diego Chargers. http://www.penguinsauthenticofficial.com/bryan-rust-jersey/ . - Goaltender Philippe Desrosiers of the Rimouski Oceanic has broken a shutout record that was only three months old in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. Jack Johnson Jersey . The FA rejected Wilsheres appeal that the length of his punishment was "clearly excessive" and said Thursday his suspension begins with immediate effect. He will miss league matches against Chelsea on Monday and West Ham on Dec. Dominik Simon Penguins Jersey . LOUIS -- Cardinals cleanup hitter Allen Craig says hes recovered from a foot injury and ready to be put on St. SAINT PAUL, Minn. -- When their team scores a goal at home, Calgary Flames fans are used to fire shooting from strategic points in their buildings ceiling, not from the home teams bench.Still, Flames first-year coach Glen Gulutzan is finding himself on an increasingly hot seat with less than 20 percent of the seasons games played as Calgary sinks further and further back in the Western Conference standings.The Flames come to Minnesota on Tuesday having lost four in a row, and owning a 5-10-1 mark, which is second-worst in the league (ahead of only the Arizona Coyotes).All of that recent losing had Gulutzan juggling his lines on Monday at practice before the team boarded a Minnesota-bound plane, looking for a new spark.When you lose four in a row, youve got to make some changes, Gulutzan said, without revealing the exact combinations the Wild will be expected to counter on Tuesday, although it looks as if Alex Chiasson will move to the second line and be replaced by Troy Brouwer, who will play with regular top-liners Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan. Any guy weve got here weve got a chance of putting in, so well see how the lineup transpires.The Flames have scored just four goals during the four-game skid, and speculation is growing in Calgary that an early-season coaching change may be needed. However, Gulutzan, who coached the Dallas Stars for two seasons and is in his second head-coaching gig in the NHL, is less concerned about offense and focusing more on his teams inabiliity to consistently stifle the opponents offense.ddddddddddddEverybodys talking about the points, but the reality is weve given up 60-some goals, 50-some goals, Gulutzan said. If you go back a year from now, one of the reasons we didnt have success is we gave up 260-some goals. The top teams in the league dont do that.After a brief power outage in early November, the Wild (8-5-1) are back to looking like one of the top teams in the league, coming home after two weeks away and having just collected four of a possible six points on a three-game eastern road trip. And the health news is even better in Minnesota, after star left winger Zach Parise skated in practice on Monday and may return to the lineup after a two-week absence caused by a lower-body injury.Its good. It beats skating on your own, Parise said Monday after practice. Its one of those things I needed to get the progress and get back to feeling good again. It was good to be practicing with the team.Parise said he felt fine and would make his case to coach Bruce Boudreau about a return to the ice against the Flames on Tuesday, hoping to join Charlie Coyle and Eric Staal on the teams top line.It is the start of a whirlwind stretch in which Minnesota will play seven games in 12 days -- five of them at home.The Wild defense is on a roll, having allowed just nine goals in the past eight games. ' ' '