DS Talk » for that I apologize to the Sogards for anything that was said t

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick?sat during the national anthem in each of the teams three preseason games and said he plans to continue to do so until he sees real change when it comes to racial oppression in the United States.Yes, Ill continue to sit, Kaepernick said. Im going to continue to stand with the people that are being oppressed. To me this is something that has to change. When theres significant change and I feel like that flag represents what its supposed to represent, this country is representing people the way that its supposed to, Ill stand.On Sunday afternoon, Kaepernick spent nearly 20 minutes addressing reporters for the first time since he was spotted sitting between two Gatorade jugs during the national anthem before Fridays game against the Green Bay Packers.Clearly aware of the backlash hes received since his stance became public, Kaepernick made it a point to clarify that he has nothing against the military.I do think that the talk has been more about me, more about I know a lot of peoples initial reactions thought it was bashing the military, which it wasnt, Kaepernick said. That wasnt my intention at all. I think now that we have those things cleared up, we can get to the root of what I was saying and really address those issues.During the extensive interview, Kaepernick covered a variety of subjects, ranging from his reasoning behind sitting to whether hell fear for his safety on the road this year to the presidential election.Kaepernick said his decision to make his stance has been a long time coming and was born of years of both witnessing and being a part of racial oppression.Its something that Ive seen, Ive felt, wasnt quite sure how to deal with originally, Kaepernick said. And it is something thats evolved. Its something that as Ive gained more knowledge about, whats gone on in this country in the past, whats going on currently. These arent new situations. This isnt new ground. There are things that have gone on in this country for years and years and have never been addressed, and they need to be.Asked to offer some specifics, Kaepernick cited police brutality in a number of cities that have resulted in the deaths of black men.Kaepernick recounted a story of one of his college roommates moving out of their house, and because he and his roommates were the only black people in the neighborhood, the police came and drew guns on them.I have experienced this, Kaepernick said. People close to me have experienced this. This isnt something thats a one-off case here or a one-off case there. This has become habitual. This has become a habit. So this is something that needs to be addressed.Kaepernick said his decision to sit also wasnt made spur of the moment. He cited conversations with other players and influential people, such as Dr. Harry Edwards, as taking place in the time before taking action.Dr. Edwards, who was instrumental in the protest by U.S. Olympians Tommie Smith and John Carlos at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics, is a 49ers team consultant and shared a hug and brief conversation with Kaepernick before Sundays practice.Kaepernick also addressed the team at a players-only meeting that took place Sunday morning.They asked me to talk and just explain why I did what I did, Kaepernick said. And why I felt the way I felt. I had an open conversation with them. I told them why I felt that way and looked at things the way I do. A lot of it has to do with the history of the country and where were currently at. I opened it up to all my teammates. Come talk to me if you have any questions. If you want to understand what Im thinking further, come talk to me. It shouldnt be something that should be hidden. These conversations need to happen and can bring everybody closer.Kaepernick said he has no plans to try to get other players to join him in his protest, citing the attention that goes with making such a move.This isnt something Im going to ask other people to put their necks out for what Im doing, Kaepernick said. If they agree with me and feel strongly about it, then by all means I hope they stand with me. But Im not going to go and try to recruit people and be like Hey, come do this with me?because I know the consequences that come with that, and they need to make that decision for themselves.As for the timing of the protest, Kaepernick said he didnt choose now simply because its an election year, but he did voice his displeasure with the two presidential candidates.You have Hillary [Clinton], who has called black teens or black kids superpredators, Kaepernick said. You have Donald Trump, who is openly racist. We have a presidential candidate [Clinton] who has deleted emails and done things illegally and is a presidential candidate. That doesnt make sense to me. If that was any other person, youd be in prison. So what is this country really standing for?From a football perspective, Kaepernick said he wants the team focus to be on winning games, but that theres also a time to discuss social issues. Asked whether he thought he could be cut for taking this stance, Kaepernick didnt seem concerned.I dont know, Kaepernick said. But if I do, I know I did whats right. And I can live with that at the end of the day.Kaepernick also said he has no concerns about potential backlash when he plays in road games this year.At the end of the day, if something happens, thats only proving my point, Kaepernick said.As to where he goes from here, while Kaepernick continues to sit during the anthem, he says there are also plans to do more than symbolically protest.There are things that I have in the works right now that Im working on to put together in the future and have come to fruition soon, Kaepernick said. Those are things that Ill talk about as we get closer to those days. Golden Knights Jerseys China .Y. -- Paul Byron and Matt Stajan scored as the Calgary Flames started a five-game road trip with a 2-1 overtime win over the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday afternoon. Custom Golden Knights Jersey China . Denis Coderre, the former federal MP who was elected mayor on Nov. 3, has drawn the ire of some Montreal Canadiens. During last nights game he tweeted: "Hello? Can we get a one-way ticket to (minor-league) Hamilton for David Desharnais please. http://www.customgoldenknightsjersey.com/ . Jay Feely kicked a 41-yard field goal in overtime, and the Cardinals edged the Tennessee Titans 37-34 in overtime after blowing a 17-point lead late in the fourth quarter. Custom Golden Knights T-shirts . They hope to persuade the other team owners and commissioner Roger Goodell to put pressure on Redskins owner Daniel Snyder to drop the nickname they find offensive. "Given the way the meeting transpired," Ray Halbritter, an Oneida representative and leader of the "Change the Mascot Campaign," said Wednesday, "it became somewhat evident they were defending the continued use of the name. Authentic Custom Golden Knights Jersey . U.S. District Judge Lorna G. Schofield in Manhattan agreed that lawyers on both sides could make their formal requests by Nov. 8. A hearing is scheduled for a day earlier. Jordan Siev, a lawyer for Rodriguez, wrote in a joint letter to the judge from lawyers on both sides that MLB lawyers planned to ask that the lawsuit be dismissed. OAKLAND, Calif. -- Ron Washington shook his head, a bemused look on his face. He had a towel draped over his shoulders and was still wet from the beer shower provided by his players. Derek Holland gave up four hits in eight stellar innings, Nelson Cruz and Mitch Moreland each hit a home run and Washington became the winningest manager in Rangers history as Texas beat the Oakland Athletics 4-0 on Sunday. "Im not a fan of the cold stuff," Washington said. "I had to stand there and endure it. Any success you have in life, there are others who helped get you there." Washington, who coached for Oakland for 11 years, passed Bobby Valentine with his 582nd win. "Yes it means a lot to me," he said. "I came here as a novice and in seven years won the most games in Rangers history. This organization gave me the chance and the players kept winning ballgames." Adrian Beltre had two hits and drove in a run for the Rangers, who have won six of seven to move within 2 1-2 games of the AL West Division leading Athletics. "Its a pretty cool accomplishment and hes going to get a lot more," Rangers infielder Ian Kinsler said. "Hes grow up with this organization and established a winning environment." Nate Freiman had two hits for the As, who have lost four of five. Holland (9-6) walked two and matched his season high with 10 strikeouts as he ended a personal two-game losing streak. "Weve had a strong relationship," Holland said of Washington. "He even comes out to the mound instead of (Mark) Maddux. Hes a great guy for me. I love playing for him." A.J. Griffin (10-8) lasted 6 2-3 innings, allowing four runs -- three earned -- on five hits. He walked one and struck out seven. Griffin has allowed a major-league leading 28 home runs this season and became the first Oakland pitcher to give up two or more in four consecutive starts since Mark Redman did it in 2007. "Thats the best Ive seen Holland pitch in quite a while," As manager Bob Melvin said. "The inside zone was there for him, which made the changeup really tough to deal with." Holland, who has an 0.81 ERA in his nine wins, beat the As for the fifth straight time. He also improved to 7-1 in 12 road starts. "Oakland is in first place for a reason," Holland said. "Were gaining ground on thhem for a reason too.dddddddddddd" Joe Nathan walked Josh Donaldson and allowed an infield single to Yoenis Cespedes to open the ninth. He got pinch hitter Brandon Moss to ground into a force out and got Alberto Callapso to hit into a game-ending double play. The Rangers took advantage of a two-out fielding error by Cespedes in the first inning to take the early lead. Kinsler reached second on the play and scored when Beltre singled. Cruz led off the second inning with his 27th homer of the year and Moreland hit a two-run shot in the seventh. "Its pretty frustrating," Griffin said of Morelands home run. "To pitch well for 6 2-3 innings and to have that happen, its frustrating." Meanwhile, Holland did not allow a runner past second base. He retired 14 of 15 batters during one stretch. NOTES: Rangers RHP Matt Garza apologized for remarks he made on twitter following Saturdays loss. He responded in anger to a tweet by Eric Sogards wife, KayCee. He gave this statement: "All I want to say is I let my competitive spirit cross outside the lines, and that shouldnt happen. I let my passion, my fire carry over, and thats not how this game should be played. And for that I apologize to the Sogards for anything that was said through my Twitter. Thats all I have. I regret what happened." ... Sogard and his wife said they have been treating it as though it were a joke and would continue to do so. "Theres no hard feelings," he said. ... Texas RHP Colby Lewis (elbow surgery) threw five innings in a rehab start on Saturday. He is expected to pitch at Triple-A Round Rock on Thursday. He can be on rehab until Aug. 15. ... LHP Martin Perez (3-3, 3.93) will start the Rangers series opener against the Los Angeles Angels on Monday night. He pitched into the eighth inning in his last start for the first time in his career. ... RHP Dan Straily (6-5, 4.41) will start Tuesday night in Cincinnati for the As. He is on a three-game losing streak. ... As C Stephen Vogt, who was hit on the top of his head by the backswing of Jurickson Profar Saturday, was cleared to play following a battery of tests. ... As C John Jaso (concussion) is closer to resuming baseball activities. ... As RHP Grant Balfour spent about 20 minutes before the game with an Australian youth baseball team hosted by a team from nearby Alameda. ' ' '