three-game series to take a half-game lead over Baltimore and

Nate Boyer, a former Green Beret and Seattle Seahawks long snapper, penned an open letter to San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick on Tuesday evening, defending his right to protest racial inequality in the United States by sitting during the national anthem.Later, in an interview with SportsCenter, Boyer said that after he listened to Kaepernicks reasoning for his protest, not only does he every right to do that, but I respect him. It was incredibly brave what he did.In the letter, which is posted at armytimes.com, Boyer says he initially felt anger toward Kaepernick but writes that hes come to a much greater understanding and appreciation of what Kaepernick is attempting to do.Im not judging you for standing up for what you believe in. Its your inalienable right. What you are doing takes a lot of courage, and Id be lying if I said I knew what it was like to walk around in your shoes. Ive never had to deal with prejudice because of the color of my skin, and for me to say I can relate to what youve gone through is as ignorant as someone whos never been in a combat zone telling me they understand what its like to go to war.Even though my initial reaction to your protest was one of anger, Im trying to listen to what youre saying and why youre doing it. When I told my mom about this article, she cautioned me that the last thing our country needed right now was more hate. As usual, shes right.Boyer expounded on his initial reaction in the SportsCenter interview, saying after his initial response of anger, I stopped myself, took a breath and I tried to listen and understand.There are so many different perspectives, and not just talking about from the African-American society, but from the veteran society and just from America in general. And thats what makes us great.Were all different, have different viewpoints. We come from different places. That initial anger -- Im not going to say hate; I didnt have hate -- but those knee-jerk reactions that are happening in our country right now ... its not helping anything. Its not solving any problems because its not a conversation, its just a yelling match.Boyer, who grew up in El Cerrito, California, just 16 miles from San Francisco, grew up a fan of the 49ers and writes that he used to dress as Joe Montana for Halloween. Also contained in the letter is a picture of a football Kaepernick signed and inscribed God bless our troops for a charity function Boyer held. The ball, he notes, went to the highest bidder, Boyers father.There are already plenty people fighting fire with fire, and its just not helping anyone or anything, Boyer wrote, finishing the letter with the Green Berets motto.So Im just going to keep listening, with an open mind. I look forward to the day youre inspired to once again stand during our national anthem. Ill be standing right there next to you. Keep on trying ... De Oppresso Liber.And Boyer wasnt the only current or former military member to offer support to Kaepernick. Late Tuesday night, the hashtag #VeteransForKaepernick was the No. 1 trending topic in the United States.In the interview with SportsCenter, Boyer said there are a lot of people from the veterans community that are supporting his decision.Whether they agree with it or not, they are supporting his right. Thats kind of where I sit. Ive got his back. I hope that he is inspired to stand for the anthem again. That would mean the world to me.49ers coach Chip Kelly said Tuesday that Kaepernick will play in Thursdays preseason finale against the?San Diego Chargers, who will be holding their annual?salute to the military at that game. White Saints Jerseys . -- Playing time has been limited for Maxim Tissot this season, so the Montreal Impact defender made the most of his first scoring opportunity on Saturday. Authentic Saints Jerseys . -- Hunter Smith scored the winner with just 12 seconds remaining in the third period as the Oshawa Generals edged the host Sarnia Sting 5-4 on Friday in Ontario Hockey League action. http://www.cheapsaintsjerseyselite.com/ . Louis Blues. Shane Hnidy joins Brian Munz for the broadcast on TSN 1290 Radio at 7pm ct. Cheap New Orleans Saints Jerseys .com) - Manchester City midfielder David Silva is expected to miss the next four weeks because of a calf problem. Wholesale Saints Jerseys . Vancouver Whitecaps and Toronto FC failed to make the postseason while Montreal Impact fell at the first hurdle losing heavily to Houston Dynamo in the Eastern Conference Knockout Round. Some of the sports stories The Associated Press is covering Sunday. A full Sports Digest will be sent by about 3 p.m. All times EDT:- RIO DE JANEIRO -- Five days before the opening of the Rio de Janeiro Olympics, IOC President Thomas Bach holds a news conference that is expected to be dominated by the Russian doping scandal and the final preparations for South Americas first games. News conference underway.- SPRINGFIELD, N.J. -- The third round of the rain-delayed PGA Championship is finally over and second-round co-leader Jimmy Walker holds a one-shot lead over defending champion Jason Day.- CLEVELAND -- Serious about winning it all this season, the Cleveland Indians acquire left-handed reliever Andrew Miller from the New York Yankees in exchange for four players.- CLEVELAND -- A person familiar with the situation says Milwaukee Brewers catcher Jonathan Lucroy has blocked his proposed trade to the Cleveland Indians.- HOUSTON -- He was the first player Jerry Colangelo ever spoke to about joining a new U.S. national team program and now hes the last one still standing. Carmelo Anthony may never win an NBA title, but hes on the verge of becoming mens basketballs most decorated Olympian and seemingly securing his spot in the Hall of Fame.- NEW YORK -- The US Olympic womens team plays its final exhibition game when the Americans take on rival Australia at Madison Square Garden.ddddddddddddGame starts 4 p.m.- TORONTO -- The Blue Jays and Orioles play for first place in the AL East. Toronto won the first two games of this three-game series to take a half-game lead over Baltimore and give the Orioles five straight losses since ending a five-game winning streak. Game starts 1:07 p.m.- CHICAGO -- Mariners ace Felix Hernandez (5-4, 3.45) hopes to get back on track in a primetime game against the Cubs. Left-hander Brian Matusz will be called up from Triple-A Iowa to start for Chicago, giving Kyle Hendricks and the rest of Chicagos rotation an extra day of rest. Game starts 8:08 p.m.- LONG POND, Pa. -- With heavy rain hitting the track, Pocono Raceway hopes to avoid its second Monday race of the season. Martin Truex Jr. sits on the pole for the 400-mile race. Race starts 1:15 p.m.- OCEANPORT, N.J. -- Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist gets a chance to avenge the only loss of his career when he meets up with Preakness winner Exaggerator and four others in the $1 million Haskell Invitational. Post time 5:49 p.m. ' ' '