NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- A trio of Tennessee Titans say they raised their right fists in the air after the national anthem ended to honor the victims and heroes of 9/11, and to bring attention to the ongoing unequal treatment of African-Americans and other minorities.Pro Bowl defensive lineman Jurrell Casey, cornerback Jason McCourty and linebacker Wesley Woodyard all had hands over their hearts during the anthem before Sundays season opener against Minnesota. Seconds after the anthem ended, they raised their arms into the air in solidarity with protests around the league even though their gesture went unnoticed until Monday after a Sports Illustrated photo started circulating.McCourty said Monday that they want to help bridge a gap in equality for everyone, specifically African-Americans.I dont want it to be taken as something that was us trying to separate people, McCourty said. It was more trying to bring everyone together in solidarity trying to come up with a situation to better our country. We love it, but that doesnt mean that we dont have room for improvement.San Francisco backup quarterback Colin Kaepernick was the first NFL player who chose to sit and take a knee during the anthem in preseason games to call attention to what he says is the oppression of blacks and other minorities.U.S. sprinters Tommie Smith and John Carlos, who won the gold and bronze medals, respectively, in the 200-meter race at the 1968 Olympics appeared on the medal stands with raised, black-gloved fists throughout the U.S. national anthem in what they said was a human rights salute.On Sunday, Kansas City cornerback Marcus Peters also raised a black-gloved fist during the national anthem, and four Miami Dolphins kneeled on the sideline with hands on their hearts as The Star Spangled Banner played in Seattle. McCourtys brother, Devin, raised his fist along Martellus Bennett before New Englands win in Arizona on Sunday night.McCourty, a New York native who was in the ninth grade in New Jersey on 9/11, said theres been a lot of talk among NFL players about the different ways to get their message across. His older brother served in the Gulf War, and his father also was in the military. So they chose to respect the anthem first, and McCourty said Monday the hope is these protests get people talking about how to solve the issues Kaepernick highlighted.Now moving forward, its about getting in our communities and trying actually to make change and try to actually make an impact, McCourty said. A single action on a Sunday isnt going to do anything, so I think now its, what you do in the community throughout the weeks and throughout the next several months.Casey said it was a last-minute decision, and he personally credited God for helping him believe it was the right thing to do.Im just trying to echo what Kaepernick is doing ..., Casey said. Were just trying to bring light on it. We want fairness, and we want justice for whats going on around the world with all the bad things that are going on. Thats all this is about.Woodyard, also a special teams captain, said theres no wrong or right way to protest.Were just trying to show our right that were standing for our brothers out there, and we are, Woodyard said.The trio also have the support and respect of coach Mike Mularkey, who noted they are leaders on this team.I know theyre passionate about the cause, and so Im supportive of them, Mularkey said.---Online:AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and AP NFL Twitter feed: https://twitter.com/AP-NFL---Follow Teresa M. Walker at www.twitter.com/teresamwalkerTim Horton Jersey . "No difference at all," chirped U.S. roommate and linemate James van Riemsdyk. "Its still the same cranky Phil. Nick Bjugstad Jersey .ca! Hi Kerry, Its another day and here we are looking at another dubious hit to the head. 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Thousands of fans at Mosaic Stadium will be cozying up to each other in an effort to stay warm in chilly temperatures and block the Prairie wind that locals say can knock your socks off.WASHINGTON -- Nneka Ogwumike had 24 points and 14 rebounds, Candace Parker added 18 points and six assists and the Los Angeles Sparks beat the Washington Mystics 95-75 on Friday night to end a two-game skid.Ogwumike was 6 of 7 from the field and 11 of 12 from the free-throw line. Rookie Evgeniia Belyakova added a career-high 12 points, and Jantel Lavender added 11 for the Sparks (21-3).Emma Meesseman scored 16 points for the Mystics (9-15). They have lost seven in a row.LYNX 79, STORM 72MINNEAPOLIS -- Maya Moore scored 21 points, Sylvia Fowles had 20 points and 12 rebounds and Minnesota beat Seattle for its sixth straight victory.Fowles was 8 of 10 from the field and had three steals and two blocked shots. Natasha Howard scored 14 points on 7-of-10 shooting for the Lynx (21-4).Breanna Stewart had 18 points and eight rebounds for the Storm (9-15).DREAM 93, WINGS 88ATLANTA -- Reshanda Gray had 22 points aand 10 rebounds -- both career highs -- and Angel McCoughtry scored five points during a decisive late run to help Atlanta beat Dallas.ddddddddddddLayshia Clarendon had 17 points, including five free throws in the final 23 seconds, for the Dream (13-12). McCoughtry finished with 14 points, six rebounds, five assists, three steals and two blocks.Skylar Diggins led Dallas (9-16) with 29 points. The Wings have lost six straight.SUN 94, SKY 89ROSEMONT, Ill. -- Jonquel Jones had her first-career double-double with 20 points and 10 rebounds -- both career highs -- and Alex Bentley scored 21 points to help Connecticut beat Chicago.Alyssa Thomas and Jasmine Thomas added 16 points apiece and Chiney Ogwumike had 10 for the Sun (8-16).Elena Delle Donne led Chicago (11-13) with 20 points. ' ' '