Buccaneers WR Mike Evans didn't vote, protested election result during anthem

Mike Evans posted on Instagram that he did not vote, but still protested the result of the election during the national anthem on Sunday.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans protested Donald Trump's election as president of the United States during the national anthem before Sunday's game, but he did not contribute to the election's outcome.

Evans posted on Instagram on Election Day that he did not vote, responding "no" in a comment on a post by Bucs receiver Louis Murphy asking, "Did you #vote?"

Evans is registered to vote in Galveston, Texas, according to voter registration records obtained by the Tampa Bay Times.

The 23-year-old receiver sat during the playing of the national anthem on Sunday in a protest reminiscent of Colin Kaepernick's anthem protest over racial inequality, but Evans provided a different reason for refusing to stand. 

“If this happens, then America’s not right right now,” Evans told reporters postgame. “I said this a long time ago. When he ran, I thought it was a joke, and the joke continues. I’m not a political person that much, but I got common sense. And I know when something’s not right.”

Evans said his protest should not be taken as a sign of disrespect toward veterans. 

“I don’t want to, you know, disrespect the veterans or anything,” Evans said. “The men and women who serve this country, I’m forever indebted to them. But the things that’s been going on in America lately, I’m not going to stand for that. When Ashton Kutcher comes out and says we’ve been punked, then I’ll stand again. But I won’t stand anymore.”

Kaepernick also did not vote in the election, despite being outspoken on racial issues.

The Buccaneers next play the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday.