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Bucs' Evans kneels during anthem to protest Trump's election win

Thomas B. Shea / Getty Images Sport / Getty

For the first time this season, Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans took a knee during the national anthem.

It was a surprising sight, as he is the first member of the team to do so and the move comes 10 weeks into the season. After Sunday's win over the Chicago Bears, Evans explained that he is not kneeling during "The Star-Spangled Banner" for the same reasons as other players in the NFL. He instead is protesting the presidential election win by Donald Trump.

"I said this a long time ago. When he ran, I thought it was a joke," Evans said, according to Jenna Laine of ESPN.

Evans added that "as long as (Trump)'s the president-elect," he will continue to kneel during the anthem.

"When Ashton Kutcher comes out and says we've been Punk'd, then I'll stand again," Evans added. "But I won't stand anymore."

If he continues his protest for the entire first term, Evans will be kneeling for the national anthem for the next four years, barring Trump's removal from office.

A number of NFL players have taken to kneeling or raising a fist before games as a stance against police brutality and racial injustice in America.

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