Eagles linebacker plans not to stand during national anthem this week

With the way things have gone (on the field) for 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, he’s probably a longshot to stay with the team this year.

But that hasn’t stopped him from speaking out for what he believes in, regardless of whether it’s socially acceptable.

Add another long shot to make an NFL roster: Undrafted free agent Myke Tavarres, who is gunning to slide in as a linebacker/special teameron the Eagles roster this season, is speaking out too.

Tavarresplans to sit during “The Star Spangled Banner” in the Eagles’ final preseason game against the Jets as a protest against the way his country has been treating minorities — the same protest that arose so much controversy when Kaepernick did the same last week.

Kaepernick’s actions made Tavarresreally think about the stage he is on as an NFL player and how important self-expression is in the United States.

“Oh, I thought about it,” Tavarres told ESPN.com. “Believe me, I definitely thought about it. And usually I’m front and center on the line with the rest of the guys, and that’s since pre-K all the way up. Saturday’s game, I stepped back, I was in the background, and it didn’t feel right to me at all, and so I will be taking a stand — or sitting down — for the fourth game.”

Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins, the defense’s unofficial captain said he understands the decision but thinks it’s a “different way to go.” But Tavarreshas made his decision and is ready to handle the consequences.

“We’ve got an issue in this country in this day and age, and I feel like somebody needs to step up and we all need to step up,” Tavarres toldESPN.com. “We’ve got that right. There’s just a lot going on that people don’t want to talk about, and I feel like us as athletes, we’re looked at as role models. And I feel like with Colin Kaepernick , he’s doing a great job for standing up in what he believes in, and most people may not like that, but that’s his opinion, he’s entitled to it, and I respect him for doing it.”