Jack Latvala message heard: Bucs Mike Evans to resume standing for anthem

latvala, jack - fp1

After igniting a firestorm of criticism for his decision to sit down during the playing of the national anthem Sunday to protest Donald Trump’s election, Tampa Bay Buccaneer wide receiver Mike Evans said on Tuesday that going forward he will focus on “more effective ways to communicate my message,” and will stand with his teammates once again this coming Sunday.

In a statement, the Bucs receiver began by apologizing to all members of the military, their families, and the fans who he offended, saying that was never his intention.

“I have very strong emotions regarding some of the many issues that exist in our society today,” he said. “I chose to sit as an expression of my frustration towards this year’s election. It was very personal for me, as it was for so many Americans.”

But the 23-year-old from Galveston added he won’t be sitting out the anthem this coming Sunday in Kansas City, saying, “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. This Sunday, I will be back to standing with my teammates.”

Clearwater GOP state Sen. Jack Latvala lashed out at Evans on Monday in two posts on his Facebook page, writing that his decision to sit out the playing of the anthem was “a slap in the face to our veterans, our active duty military and every freedom-loving American in Tampa Bay. I am deeply offended and will not attend another Bucs game until Evans either apologies or is no longer on the team.”

To add insult to injury for Latvala and other critics, was the fact that Evans chose his form of dissent on the same day the NFL team honored military veterans was unacceptable.

“The military plays a special role in our community,” Latvala said. “We have 12,000 active duty military stationed at MacDill Air Force Base including the U.S. Central Command and U.S. Special Operations Command, in addition to our more than 133,ooo retired military living here. We love and respect our military in Tampa Bay. Evans, who makes $3.6 million a year to play football, needs to better understand what we stand for here in Tampa Bay. I call on Buccaneer fans and our community to send him a loud message.”

The fact that Evans didn’t vote in last week’s election also angered some citizens.

Meanwhile, Latvala, never one to not stake out a position, received hundreds of “likes” on his Facebook page for his comments, but also took in his share of negative responses.

“If Donald Trump can say ANYTHING, no matter how hurtful, against a war hero like John McCain, against disabled people, against women, and you are OK with that, a man standing up (by sitting) for human rights is a breath of fresh air,” wrote Ginger Tatarzewski.

“As a Army Gulf War veteran, I can say I’m not exactly happy but certainly not offended,” wrote Bryan Parker. “I fought for everyone’s freedom of speech and I stand behind Mike Evans and anyone else’s right to not stand during the anthem. Why don’t you do us all a favor and come down off your high horse.”

“Evans didn’t swear an oath. Why should he have to stand?,” wrote Tasha Torrid. “They don’t play the silly anthem when I go to work, now it’s somehow part of his job requirement? He was hired to throw a ball, not worship some magical sky cloth.”
There were also plenty who sided with Latvala.
“As a veteran, I feel it’s a slap in the face when I see someone sitting during the national anthem unless you are wheelchair bound,” said Steve Kaplan. “Most of these protesters don’t even know what they are protesting about. They are just a bunch of sheep; get over it.”
‘Thank you for your stance on this,” Constance Wentworth writes on. “Yes we have our First Amendment right, but Mike Evans did not vote, nor has he followed politics (by his own saying ) that is a huge slap in the face! I am donating my season tickets to the Wounded Warrior project! Maybe if he spent time around Our Veterans he will understand! Better yet go to a Veteran’s Funeral as they are handing that Folded Flag while playing the National Anthem to a Mother who lost her son, or a wife who lost her husband! Our Veterans stood for us, We should stand for them!”

Mitch Perry

Mitch Perry has been a reporter with Extensive Enterprises since November of 2014. Previously, he served five years as political editor of the alternative newsweekly Creative Loafing. Mitch also was assistant news director with WMNF 88.5 FM in Tampa from 2000-2009, and currently hosts MidPoint, a weekly talk show, on WMNF on Thursday afternoons. He began his reporting career at KPFA radio in Berkeley and is a San Francisco native who has lived in Tampa since 2000. Mitch can be reached at [email protected].


2 comments

  • tjsopp

    November 15, 2016 at 12:39 pm

    Among those freedoms granted to Americans is the freedom to disagree politically

  • TomPayne

    November 17, 2016 at 8:17 am

    The First Amendment doesn’t apply to EMPLOYEES when at their EMPLOYER’s venue on THEIR EMPLOYERS’ time. I am a firm believer in the First Amendment, BUT I WILL SAY IT AGAIN…it doesn’t apply when you are in someone else’s uniform, in someone else’s venue, on someone else’s time. If I were to wear my employer’s uniform, and stand on their property and spew what many perceive as ridiculous propaganda, I would LOSE MY JOB. I applaud the fans that BOOED the ECU Marching Band for their silly antics. Again, the band members are in someone else’s uniform, in someone else’s venue, representing THEIR COLLEGE NOT THEIR SOCIAL BELIEFS. College Protesters have a double whammy because many are funded by taxpayers, scholarships and Alumni contributions, and THEY want no part of the protest. As we saw wish ECU, financial contributors are threatening to pull funds. I agree that college folks like Michael Rose-Ivey have a right to make their point heard, but they need to keep in mind that many NFL owners either served in the military or had family that did, and THEY may be offended by these actions, hence, bye-bye big contracts!!!

Comments are closed.


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