Opening day in the NFL saw Kansas City cornerback Marcus Peters raise a black-gloved fist during the national anthem, a protest amplified later Sunday when four Miami Dolphins kneeled on the sideline with hands on their hearts as The Star Spangled Banner played in Seattle.The protests were inspired by San Francisco backup quarterback Colin Kaepernick , the first NFL player who chose to sit and take a knee during the anthem in preseason games to call attention to what he termed the oppression of blacks and other minorities.I chose to get involved to see if I could create change, raise awareness. And I want to make it clear that there is no disrespect to the military or to police officers -Im not about that. I love everyone, said Miamis Jelani Jenkins, one of the Dolphins to kneel. I would like to keep moving forward in the right direction with everybody: equal rights, equal opportunity. From my position, it doesnt seem that its happening. Thats why I took a stand.Peters gesture was the only one visible throughout the early games Sunday, as the anthems took on more significance because of the 15th anniversary of Sept. 11 attacks.I come from a majority black community from Oakland, California ... so the struggle, I seen it, Peters said after the Chiefs beat San Diego 33-27 in overtime. I still have some family in the struggle. All Im saying is we want to educate those, the youth thats coming up.The four Miami players -- Arian Foster, Michael Thomas, Jenkins and Kenny Stills -- registered their protest shortly before kickoff. The four players stood while President Obamas message played regarding the 15th anniversary of 9/11 before taking a knee. All four stood at the conclusion of the anthem.If its about the knee that people are upset about, every Sunday people of faith take a knee to give thanks to their lord and savior, whatever faith or religion that they are, Foster said. Its not about a knee, its not about the (symbolism), its about the message. They say its not the time to do this, but when is the time?Several teams, including the Chiefs and Seahawks, saw their players link arms during the anthem. Peters, the 2015 defensive rookie of the year, was the last person in the Chiefs line and had his arm free to raise it.He spoke up about something he felt he needed to speak up about, Peters said last week. I salute him for that.Broncos linebacker Brandon Marshall , a teammate of Kaepernicks in college at Nevada, took a knee during the anthem on Thursday night.NFL commissioner Roger Goodell weighed in on Kaepernicks protest last week as well, saying, I dont necessarily agree with what hes doing.Seattles locker room was engaged in a lengthy discussion over the past few weeks about what type of message to send. The players enlisted coach Pete Carroll in the discussions almost from the start, and brought Dr. Harry Edwards to help direct the conversations.Gestures mean nothing without follow through. Thats what Harry Edwards said and thats what I agree with, Seattle cornerback Richard Sherman said. People get confused that you have to go out there and put on a show and make this gesture and make people aware of it, and were more about action.Wide receiver Doug Baldwin, who became a default spokesman for Seattles actions, said the players are working to schedule a meeting with the mayor of Seattle and local law enforcement.We know that there has to be change and progress, Baldwin said. Change is inevitable. Change will always happen. But you got to apply direction to change, and thats when its progress. And so right now what were doing as a team, we have a follow through.Taped messages from Presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush were played at each stadium. Bush attended the Giants-Cowboys match in Arlington, Texas, while Vice President Joe Biden was in Philadelphia for Browns-Eagles.Peters gesture was also a tribute of sorts to 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. Both then appeared on the medal stands with raised, black-gloved fists throughout the U.S. national anthem in what they called a human rights salute.And in the night game, New Englands Martellus Bennett and Devin McCourty both held up their right arms. Teammate Danny Amendola was seen clutching the American flag unfurled on the field in Arizona.The International Olympic Committee ordered Smith and Carlos expelled from the games because of the protest.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL Cheap Nike Air Max 90 Shoes China . -- Derrick Rose shook off poor shooting early to hit clutch shots late and Carlos Boozer had 20 points and 13 rebounds to lead the Chicago Bulls to a 104-95 preseason victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday night. Cheap Nike Air Max 90 Free Shipping . LUCIE, Fla. http://www.nikeairmax90cheap.com/ . Pert has formerly spent time as an assistant coach with Cardiff City, Coventry City, and Bahrain mens national team. "Martyn is a highly-respected coach with experience at the top levels in England," said Whitecaps FC head coach Carl Robinson. Nike Air Max 90 Cheap For Sale .com) - Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray and Roger Federer were easy first-round winners Tuesday at the Australian Open. Cheap Nike Air Max 90 China . The team also announced Tuesday that the Braves will wear a commemorative patch on the right sleeve during the season. The patch, shaped like home plate, carries the number 715, Aarons autograph and a "40th Anniversary" banner. (STATS) -- Grambling State offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach Eric Dooley was named the FCS assistant coach of the year by the American Football Coaches Association on Wednesday.The award, first presented in 1997, honors assistant coaches who excel in community service, commitment to the student-athlete, on-field coaching success and AFCA professional organization involvement.Dooley is in his 22nd year coaching college football, including the last three on coach Broderick Fobbs staff at Grambling State. The Tigers (9-1) have the top-ranked offense in the Southwestern Athletic Association as they head into the conference championship game against Alcorn State on Saturday.An active member of the AFCA, Dooley has volunteered his time at every coaching stop, including servving as a mentor for the Alma J.dddddddddddd Brown Boy Scouts, working with high risk students in after school or summer programs, visiting retirement homes and volunteering with the Salvation Army Christmas Drive, Girl Scouts of Baton Rouge, Southern University November Turkey Drive, FCA/CCA field days and various Reading Literacy Fay programs.The other finalists for the FCS award were Randy Hedberg of North Dakota State, Tim Plough of Northern Arizona and Brian Rock of Holy Cross.Winners also were selected on the FBS, Division II, Division and NAIA levels. All of the winners will be feted at the AFCA Honors Luncheon on Jan. 9 in Nashville, Tennessee. 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