the Texans run defense showed some improvement despite

CHICAGO -- U.S. soccer star Megan Rapinoe knelt during the national anthem Sunday night before the Seattle Reigns game against the Chicago Red Stars in a little nod to NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick.Kaepernicks refusal to stand for the national anthem to protest racial injustice and minority oppression came to public notice when he remained seated on the bench before a preseason game against Green Bay. On Thursday night in San Diego, he and safety Eric Reid knelt during the anthem before a game against the Chargers.It was very intentional, Rapinoe told American Soccer Now after Seattles 2-2 tie in the National Womens Soccer League game. It was a little nod to Kaepernick and everything that hes standing for right now. I think its actually pretty disgusting the way he was treated and the way that a lot of the media has covered it and made it about something that it absolutely isnt. We need to have a more thoughtful, two-sided conversation about racial issues in this country.Being a gay American, I know what it means to look at the flag and not have it protect all of your liberties. It was something small that I could do and something that I plan to keep doing in the future and hopefully spark some meaningful conversation around it. Its important to have white people stand in support of people of color on this. We dont need to be the leading voice, of course, but standing in support of them is something thats really powerful.Seattle Seahawks cornerback Jeremy Lane showed his support for Kaepernick by sitting on the bench during the national anthem at a preseason game in Oakland.The 31-year-old Rapinoe has played for Seattle since 2013, after a stint with the French team Olympique Lyon. A standout at the University of Portland, she made her name with the senior U.S. Womens national team in 2006. Known for her creativity on the field, she has played in two Womens World Cups and two Olympics.She injured her knee last December during training and required surgery, but was able to come back and play in the Rio Games. The United States, which had won three straight gold medals in the sport, was eliminated in the quarterfinals by Sweden.Since coming out in 2012, Rapinoe has been devoted advocate for LGBT rights and has worked with the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN) and other organizations.Rapinoe also has been vocal about pay equity, and was among five national team players who lent their names to a complaint filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission alleging wage discrimination. The players claim that members of the team make in some cases up to four times less than their male national team counterparts.She has frequently spoken out on Twitter, delving into politics and even calling out NWSL when a match was played on an extremely narrow field earlier this summer. Dennis Johnson Celtics Jersey . Still, Brewers manager Ron Roenicke thought taking him out before the fifth inning was an unusual move. "Im looking up at the board and hes got two hits given up and one run, and Im taking him out after the fourth inning," Roenicke said. John Havlicek Celtics Jersey . -- Damian Lillard and LaMarcus Alrdridge were again the go-to duo for the Trail Blazers against the Kings. http://www.celticssale.com/kids-marcus-smart-celtics-jersey/ . There are some early surprises in the race for the Hart Trophy, but two of the contenders are the leagues biggest stars over the past decade. There are many more players in contention for the awards than just the three that Ive named, and a good or bad week can easily alter the landscape, but through the first 20 or so games of the NHL season, this is how the awards races look to me. Jayson Tatum Jersey . Supported by three-run homers from Jayson Werth and Wilson Ramos, the young right-hander went seven strong innings in the Washington Nationals 8-4 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday night. Gordon Hayward Celtics Jersey . The Clippers were angry about blowing a big lead; the Kings didnt like being in that kind of hole and nearly digging themselves out only to lose. Parramattas salary cap saga is finally close to an end, with the Eels and NRL finalising talks to ensure the club doesnt appeal their punishment for breaches.Three months after the NRL announced it would dock the Eels 12 competition points for rorting the cap, the club is set to officially accept the sanctions, possibly this week.With new administrator Max Donnelly now in charge of the club, the two parties have been locked in negotiations that at one point threatened to lead to the Supreme Court.However it is understood the governing body is now considering suspending part of the original $1 million fine, ensuring that the seemingly never-ending drama doesnt overshadow the run into the finals series.We are talking to the Eels in regards to governance reforms, an NRL spokesperson told AAP on Tuesday.That may involve a suspension of part of the fine but nothing has been determined yet. We need to work out the reforms reequired in consultation with the administrator.dddddddddddd.Former captain Nathan Cayless said it was a fresh start for everyone involved in the club and praised the players for not letting off-field problems affect their results on-field.The Eels have so far won 10 of their 19 games despite being without key men Kieran Foran, Corey Norman and Tim Mannah for extended periods throughout the season.Theres been a few times where we thought there was a clean slate, so we just have to wait and see because theres still a lot of work to be done behind the scenes, he said.But having said that, its a good fresh start for everyone.We need to move forward. The players, the way theyve handled everything, its about looking after what they can control - how they play. Its made everyone proud at the club. ' ' '