stian McCaffrey.Watson and McCaffrey, along with LSU r

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/teresamwalker Cheap Basketball College Jerseys . Marincin has played in two NHL games so far this season with two penalty minutes. The 21-year-old has three goals, four assists and a plus-5 rating in 24 games with the American Hockey Leagues Oklahoma City Barons this season. Cheap Football NCAA Jerseys . The Olympic champion curler and TSN curling analyst immediately went online to look at the Halls long list of honoured members. Thats when the enormity of the honour sunk in. https://www.chinajerseysncaa.us/ . According the Toronto Star, a knee injury will keep Sundin out of the lineup, which includes former teammates Gary Roberts, Darcy Tucker, Tie Domi and Curtis Joseph. Fake NCAA Jerseys Replica NCAA Jerseys . Nathan MacKinnon, Jamie McGinn and Jan Hejda also scored for the Avalanche, who won despite being outshot 38-23. MacKinnons goal, also on the power play, came with just over a minute remaining. BRISTOL, Conn. -- During his visit Tuesday to ESPNs campus, Alabama coach Nick Saban happened to see Las Vegas odds that again had his Crimson Tide the favorite to win the national title.But Saban said he disagreed with the sportsbooks. He said the favorite should be Clemson, which pushed the Tide in the January championship game. The primary reason: The Tigers return Deshaun Watson.Saban called the junior quarterback the best player in college football since Cam Newton, who won the Heisman Trophy and a national title at Auburn in 2010.Watson accounted for 5,214 total yards and 47 touchdowns a season ago, finishing third in the Heisman race behind Alabama running back?Derrick Henry?and Stanford running?back Christian McCaffrey.Watson and McCaffrey, along with LSU running back Leonard Fournette, are the early favorites for the Heisman award in 2016.Meanwhile, at this point, Saban isnt sure who his quarterback will be in the fall. It will be the third consecutive season thaat Alabama will have a new starting quarterback.ddddddddddddIt will be Watsons third year as the starter for Clemson.I dont care who we start at quarterback, Saban said. He aint going to be that good.Saban said he entered the title game thinking that Watson was a skilled runner with a powerful arm. But his accuracy impressed the veteran coach.He could get the ball into spaces about like this, Saban said, holding his hands about a foot apart. He added that he didnt see any real holes in Watsons game.During the thrilling 45-40 Alabama win in the championship game, Watson threw for 405 yards and four touchdowns against the Tide, and he added another 73 rushing yards.Watson, who is set to graduate in December, has indicated he will turn pro after this season. Draft expert Mel Kiper Jr. has Watson at No. 4 on his Big Board and the No. 1 quarterback. ' ' '