Kritik und Lob » number of intriguing matchups in the

Standing, kneeling or gesturing in support of Colin Kaepernicks national anthem protests has come at a cost for the dozen NFL players who have joined the cause against social injustices. Theyve faced vitriolic, sometimes racist reactions, forfeited some of their fan base, and at least one has lost endorsements.None is deterred by the backlash.No, its worth it, said Broncos linebacker Brandon Marshall, insisting that while hes disheartened by evaporating endorsements , Twitter trolls and the burning of a T-shirt in front of team headquarters this week, hes also undaunted.Its an evil world. Its a hateful world. Im not here to spread hate. Im not here to respond to the hate. Im here to spread love and positivity, Marshall said. Im a likable guy. I was once a fan favorite for a reason. Its cool, because people can call me n-word or cuss at me or say they wish I would break my neck all they want. Theres no backlash from me. Hate cant drive out hate. Only love can drive out hate.Detractors accuse protesting players of being unpatriotic or disrespecting the American flag. Marshall said hes also gotten lots of love from military veterans saying they fought for his right to peacefully protest as much as they did for those who stand and salute the Stars and Stripes.Marshall played at Nevada with Kaepernick , who began this movement last month by refusing to stand for the anthem during San Franciscos preseason games as a protest to racial oppression and police brutality in the United States.While Kaepernick saw sales of his jersey skyrocket, Marshall has faced financial repercussions for taking a knee during the national anthem on opening night.Marshall lost endorsements from the Air Academy Federal Credit Union and CenturyLink before music mogul Russell Simmons offered him a deal with Rushcard this week.So, I lost two endorsements and gained one, said Marshall, insisting it was better to have a single company standing behind him than two so quick to bail.When you really think about it, I didnt breach my contract. I didnt get arrested. I didnt do anything to defame the team or CenturyLink or Air Academy. I just exercised my first amendment rights, Marshall said. And they dropped me for that. Im proud of what I did because I didnt do anything wrong or hurtful by any stretch.Thats not what many critics are telling him and others who have joined Kaepernick.Seahawks cornerback Jeremy Lane and 49ers safety Eric Reid took a knee in support of Kaepernick in the preseason. Chiefs cornerback Marcus Peters raised a black-gloved fist during the anthem Sunday in a scene reminiscent of U.S. sprinters Tommie Smith and John Carlos at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City.Four Dolphins kneeled on the sideline with their hands on their hearts as The Star Spangled Banner played in Seattle: running back Arian Foster, safety Michael Thomas, wide receiver Kenny Stills and linebacker Jelani Jenkins. Titans defensive lineman Jurrell Casey, cornerback Jason McCourty and linebacker Wesley Woodyard raised their right fists after the national anthem ended.McCourtys brother, Devin, raised his fist along with Martellus Bennett before New Englands win in Arizona. Defensive end Robert Quinn and receiver Kenny Britt of the Rams also stood with their fists in the air Monday night.We waited until after the national anthem, explained Bennett, who was born on a Navy base in San Diego. I support the flag. I love America. I dont want to live anywhere else. But theres still some (messed up things) going on around the world.He said he wasnt worried about any consequences, financial or otherwise.What you can do for humanity and society is a lot bigger than a dollar you can get, Bennett said. It shows you how big it is that guys are willing to lose their endorsement to bring attention.Foster said the NFL players are the latest conduit for a message thats been out there for decades.Its more important to create a healthy dialogue, Foster said. Its easy for you to sit here and say `Shut up you stupid n------ instead of saying `Why do you feel like that? Its just so easy to hate. If you really proclaim to be a true American, freedom runs in our bloodline, right? Its supposed to. If somebodys telling you they dont feel like theyre free, why dont you listen to them?President Barack Obama has who said its a constitutional right to protest peacefully. But the players have been targeted on Twitter, insulted on Instagram, and ridiculed in public.Marshalls lost deals are the only known endorsements pulled over the protests.I dont have a lot of endorsements ... so Im not really worried about losing endorsements, said Tennessees McCourty, who has a deal along with his twin brother to promote Palmers Cocoa Butter.Marshall, who has pledged to donate to military charities, met with Denver police chief Robert White this week. Marshall accepted his invitation to participate in a shoot-or-dont-shoot training simulator and to go on a ride-along with police officers.Kneeling really was just to bring attention to the issues, an awareness factor -- a symbol -- so to speak, said Marshall. Just like the flag is a symbol.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and AP NFL Twitter feed: www.twitter.com/AP-NFL---AP Pro Football Writer Teresa Walker and AP Sports Writers Josh Dubow, Greg Beacham, Tim Booth, Kyle Hightower, Dave Skretta and Tim Reynolds contributed.Derek Jeter Yankees Jersey .C. -- Charlotte Bobcats coach Steve Clifford said after all of these years in the NBA hes still amazed at some of the things LeBron James does. David Wells Jersey . -- Tony Stewart is 20 pounds lighter and has a titanium rod in his surgically repaired right leg. https://www.cheapyankees.com/1851g-david-hale-jersey-yankees.html . Detroit and Boston are deadlocked, 1-1, and Tigers manager Jim Leyland could be forgiven if he was caught rationalizing instead of dissecting how his club could blow a 5-1 lead late in Game 2. Austin Romine Jersey .ca NFL Power Rankings, overtaking the Denver Broncos and remaining ahead of NFC competition San Francisco, Carolina and New Orleans. Yogi Berra Jersey . Aside from the trilogy main event title fight, there are a number of intriguing matchups in the heavyweight, welterweight and lightweight divisions.The Kansas City Royals have activated All-Star closer Wade Davis from the 15-day disabled list.The Royals announced Davis activation Saturday before their game against the Detroit Tigers, optioning reliever?Brooks Pounders?to Triple-A Omaha in a corresponding move.Davis had been sidelined since July 1 with a right forearm straain, but the right-hander reportedly started to feel better just days after being placed on the DL.ddddddddddddavis, 30, is 1-0 with a 1.23 ERA and 19 saves this season, his fourth with the Royals. ' ' '